Contact a U.S. embassy or consulate to schedule a visa interview appointment, and learn about additional instructions, such as how to pay the visa application processing fee.
This website link will provide you with information about studying in the United States:
http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/studying.html

Before an F-1 visa can be issued to a student, the potential student must have an I-20 form issued from the intended educational institution.

Deadlines for required documentation:
If you plan to study at BRCC and need a student visa, the required documentation items listed below must be completed before an I-20 form can be issued by the following deadlines:

For entry into Fall Semester - April 15
For entry into Spring Semester - September 15
For entry into Summer Semester - February 15

Required Documentation for obtaining a Form I-20:
1. Application Form:
Complete Blue Ridge Community College's application for admission. An original paper application must be submitted...on-line applications can not be accepted. We are approved ONLY for admission of students into the Associate in Arts Program or the Associate in Science Program.

2. Evidence of Financial Support:
Submit a notarized Affidavit of Financial Support. It must also be accompanied by an original letter from the applicant's bank or financial institution verifying the availability of U.S. funds to support a full-
time student and any accompanying dependents for each year of study. Total estimated annual expenses (includes out-of-state tuition, books, and living expenses) for international students: $18,700.00 - $21,000.00.

3. Official Diploma/Transcripts:
The student must provide complete, official academic records from secondary (equivalent to high school education in the U.S.) and post-secondary schools. Records should include courses taken, grades received, and degrees or certificates earned. Secondary school transcripts (equivalent to high school education in the U.S.) if not originally in English must be translated into English. Post-secondary school transcripts must not only be translated into English, but also must be evaluated for U.S. Credit. Translations and evaluations must be performed by one of the organizations approved by Blue Ridge. These organizations can be found on the NACES website: www.naces.org. The student will need to provide Blue Ridge with original transcripts that we can keep for the student’s file (not ones that need to be returned to the student), plus the translation/evaluation report sent from an NACES organization.

4. Evidence of English Competency:
Potential students must demonstrate English competency by taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). This test is published and administered in most countries by the Educational Testing Service. Their address in the United States is Educational Testing Service, PO Box 899, Princeton, NJ 08541 USA. Their website is http://www.ets.org/toefl/ The student will need to go on their website, find out when and where their tests are held, register for and take the test, and then arrange the official test-results sent to Blue Ridge. The student must have a TOEFL score of 550 on the paper-based test, 213 on the computer-based version, or 80 on the Internet-based version in order for the I-20 Form from Blue Ridge to be issued.

5. Placement Testing:
Students must complete the Pre-Enrollment Placement Test for BRCC. We use the ACCUPLACER test for 2-year colleges. SAT scores and ACT scores can be used instead of the ACCUPLACER test if the applicant took those tests within the last three years.

6. Interview:
Before an I-20 Form is issued, an interview may be required. Also, issuance of the I-20 does not guarantee the applicant will receive the student visa.

7. Health Insurance:
Students need to document adequate health and hospitalization insurance.

8. Local Address:
Students will need to supply the International Student Coordinator with a valid local address. This must be the address where the applicant will be residing during the academic year, not a temporary address or that of a friend or colleague.

Again, all documentation must be submitted by the required application deadlines:

For entry into Fall Semester - April 15
For entry into Spring Semester - September 15
For entry into Summer Semester - February 15

Further Information for International Student Admissions:

Students applying for an F-1 Visa to study at BRCC should be aware of the following restrictions:

• Students are required to be enrolled as a full-time (minimum 12 semester hours) degree or diploma seeking student at BRCC. Out-of-state tuition is charged. Minimum tuition and fees cost per semester is currently around $2,943.
• An F1 Student Visa does not permit work for salary or wages for at least the first full year of study. The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services may authorize employment eligibility in extreme hardship cases due to unforeseen changing economics in the home country after the first year of study.
• Blue Ridge Community College has no dormitories or residence halls. All students must arrange for housing away from the College.
• Students need to document adequate health and hospitalization insurance.
• Blue Ridge Community College is located in a small town setting with no major public transportation available. Students are responsible for meeting their own transportation needs.
• Once all requirements are met, BRCC can issue an I-20 Form. It is the student's responsibility to actually obtain the F-1 Student Visa and to pay any associated fees to U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement.

Contact Information:

Further inquiries regarding Admissions to Blue Ridge for International Students can be directed to:
Pride Carson
Office phone: 828-694-1801
e-mail