International Admissions

 

Step 1: Apply

Please fill out and submit a completed Palm Beach State College Application to Credit Programs form to international@palmbeachstate.edu.

Applications can also be mailed or submitted directly to: 

Office of International Admissions and Recruitment
Palm Beach State College PG 126/127
4200 Congress Avenue, Lake Worth, Florida, 33461

It is important that you provide your personal email address.

                                                                                                                                           

Step 2: Pay the $75 non-refundable application fee

Once the application is processed, you will receive an email with instructions regarding how to submit the application fee payment. Applications and supporting documents will not be reviewed until the fee has been paid in full.

 

Step 3: Submit all supporting documents

Please submit the supporting admissions documents below to international@palmbeachstate.edu.

All documents should be emailed to international@palmbeachstate.edu or to the Office of International Admissions prior to the deadline for the semester.

1.  I-20 REQUEST FORM - Please complete and submit the I-20 Request Form
   
   
2. HIGH SCHOOL (Secondary Education) - Please submit your original high school diploma or leaving certificate as proof of successful completion of secondary school in your country to show equivalency to a standard high school diploma in the US. Students from the British school system, for example, must submit their GCE, CXC, BGCSE, WAEC, WASC, or HKCE certificates with a minimum of FIVE (5) academic passes. Please note that the College will also accept clear copies of the documents submitted as .pdf attachments to international@palmbeachstate.edu. Original records must be provided before enrollment in classes.
   
   
3. COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY - Please submit a transcript from each post-secondary institution (university/college) the applicant has attended. Applicants transferring from U.S. institutions must have at least a 2.0 grade point average (G.P.A.), be in lawful immigration status, and be in good standing (eligible to return to the institution). The submission of college/university transcripts from institutions outside of the United States is optional. To be considered for credit evaluation, applicants must have a course-by-course evaluation from an academic credential-evaluating agency. A current list of approved agencies is located at www.NACES.org/members.htm   (Applications for agencies such as Josef Silny and Associates, Inc. or World Education Services can be accessed directly). 
   
   
4. ENGLISH PROFICIENCY - Non-native English speakers who have completed their education in languages other than English must present evidence of proficiency in speaking, writing, and understanding of the English language. Please submit a score of at least 500 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or 173 on the computerized TOEFL version; or 61 or higher on the Internet-based test (iBT); or a score of 5.5 or higher on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS); or 69 on the COMPASS/ESL test; or 86 in English, Reading, and Listening and Speaking on the ACCUPLACER/ESL (LOEP) test. Please note that Palm Beach State TOEFL Code is #5531. For more information about TOEFL, please use this link: http://www.toefl.org.  
   
   Please note that the ACCUPLACER ESL (LOEP) is administered on-campus at Palm Beach State College. The test is also proctored online. Applicants outside of the United States or the local area, will be provided with the information to register to take the test online. Once registered, applicants will receive communication from the College regarding requirements and protocol. The test will be taken on the applicant's own computer and monitored by a proctor or representative from the College.
   
   
5. PROOF OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT - Proof of the applicant's financial ability to pay for their living and educational expenses while attending Palm Beath State College. The applicant needs to submit a letter from their financial institution showing a minimum balance of $24.000,00 (US). An applicant with a sponsor must provide a notarized Affidavit of Financial Support (included) signed by the sponsor along with a bank statement or a letter from the sponsor's financial institution indicating the minimum balance. For more information regarding the cost for an international student to attend Palm Beach State College for one academic year, please see the List of Estimated Expenses. 
   
   
6. COPY OF PASSPORT (visa and bio pages), I-94 (front and back), and Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20)
   
   
7. TRANSFER FORM - Please complete and submit the International Student Transfer Form  (For international applicants already in the U.S. transferring from another approved school).
   
   

Applicants transferring from any post-secondary institution must have at least a 2.0 G.P.A., be in status with immigration, and be in good standing (i.e., eligible to continue at or return to their present institution). 

Once all the admissions requirements are satisfied, the applicant will receive the acceptance packet, which includes the Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20) to apply for the F-1 visa in the home country, apply for a change of immigration status with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), or enroll in classes at Palm Beach State as a transfer student. 

Any document written in a foreign language must include a certified English translation (an attestation signed by a translator indicating that they are fluent in both English and the original language of the document and competent to render a true and accurate translation). High school diplomas do not have to be translated into English except for documents in character-based languages: Greek, Arabic, Hebrew, Korean, Chinese, and Japanese, etc. 

Palm Beach State College will accept original high school diplomas or leaving certificates from outside the U.S., make copies, and return originals to applicants at their request. The College will also accept copies of the documents submitted electronically. Original educational records must be provided before enrollment in classes. 

Contact Information for Desiganted School Officials

 

Lake Worth

Francklin Laborde, Manager of International Admissions
Office: PG 126
labordef@palmbeachstate.edu, 561-868-3029

 

Rosi Paul, Records Specialist
Office: PG 127
paulr@palmbeachstate.edu, 561-868-3029

 

Sandra Villegas, Enrollment Management Specialist
Office: PG 103
villegas@palmbeachstate.edu, 561-868-3371

 

Darlene Smith, Campus Registrar
Office: PG 101
smithd@palmbeachstate.edu, 561-868-3988 

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Palm Beach Gardens

Patricia Hoyle, Report Writer 
Office: BR 1293
hoylep@palmbeachstate.edu, 561-207-5342

 

Kenneth Badaracco, Campus Registrar
Office: AD 106
badarack@palmbeachstate.edu, 561-207-5305

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Boca Raton

Deslee Francis-Grant, Student Development Manager 
Office: AD 107
francisd@palmbeachstate.edu, 561-862-4356

 

Natacha Nettles, Assistant Dean, Student Services
Office: AD 154
nettlesn@palmbeachstate.edu, 561-862-4331

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Loxahatchee Groves/Belle Glade

Jacqueline Vazquez, Admissions Supervisor
Office: LGA 100
vazquezj@palmbeachstate.edu, 561-790-9058

Before an International student can register for classes, the following steps have to be taken:

1. All first-time-in college students must be tested for placement purposes. Students must submit test scores from the American College Test (A.C.T.), Scholastic Aptitude Test (S.A.T.), or the Post-Secondary Educational Readiness Test (PERT) not older than two years prior to admission date.
2. Provide proof of health and accident insurance to the Office of International Admissions and Recruitment at the College.
3. Students must also attend a new student orientation session (students transferring from another U.S. college are not required to attend).
4. Register for classes

During your stay in the U.S. in F-1 status, you are subject to many complex immigration laws and regulations that relate to your legal status. The Office of International Admissions will assist you in answering your questions about your immigration status, but it is your responsibility to know and abide by the law to maintain valid legal status.

It is to your benefit to make sure that you maintain legal status throughout the duration of your stay in the U.S.

As a non-immigrant international student, you must:

1. Possess a passport that is always valid.
2. Attend the school/institution you were authorized to attend.
3. Be registered full-time for each academic semester as defined by USCIS. NOTE: You are not required to be registered for classes during the summer unless you have been admitted to Palm Beach State for the summer term or completing degree by end of summer term. Enroll in not more than one online class or three credit hours toward your full course load for the term with a minimum of nine credits hours of in-person or hybrid classes
4. Maintain good academic standing as per Palm Beach State policy and make normal progress towards completing your degree.
5. Follow appropriate procedures to notify USCIS if you transfer schools or if you change from one educational level to another. Transfer procedure must be completed within 15 days from start of term.
6. File for a Program Extension in a timely manner if you must remain in the U.S. longer than the time estimated for completion of your program as stated on your I-20.
7. Check your documents to be sure they are in order before leaving the U.S., even for a brief trip, and be sure to have the proper documents to re-enter the U.S.
8. Limit on-campus employment or any authorized off-campus employment to a total of 20 hours per week during the academic semester.
9. Obtain proper authorization before engaging in any off-campus employment whether the employment is paid or non-paid. (Working without proper authorization constitutes illegal employment, an offense that can lead to deportation.)
10. Refrain from any off-campus employment if/while you are out-of-status.
11. File for a Reinstatement in a timely manner, if you have fallen out-of-status.
12. Report any change of address by updating your Workday record within 10 days. Make sure you update the local and permanent addresses.  

All international students in F-1 status at Palm Beach State College are required to have medical insurance prior to registration. They must first, document medical insurance coverage meeting the minimum requirements, and clear with the Office of International Admissions before they are allowed to register.

If you have your own insurance policy or wish to purchase an alternate policy, you must have your insurance company complete the Health Insurance Compliance Form and fax it to the Office of International Admissions. The completed compliance form must verify the following:

• that the coverage meets or exceeds the requirements
  
  
• that the name, address, and telephone number of a claims agent are in the United States,
  
  
• that you are covered under the policy, and
  
  
• that your insurance has been paid through for the current academic year.

Your policy will be reviewed, and if it complies with the guidelines, you will be cleared to register. If your policy does not comply with the guidelines, you will not be cleared until you provide documentation of insurance coverage that meets or exceeds the minimum requirements.

For any further inquiries or clarifications regarding the medical insurance requirements, please contact the Office of International Admissions at Palm Beach State at 561-868-3029 or Fax 561-868-3623.

Step-by-Step Guide to Enrollment for International (F-1) Applicants to the Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) Degree Programs

Prospective international students should start the admissions process at the earliest possible date prior to the beginning of any college semester. A three month lead-time is recommended to ensure enrollment as requested. Applications from international students will be accepted for the fall and spring 16-weeks terms (August and January) and the summer 12-weeks term (May). For more information on application deadlines, please see the Registrar Calendar.

Please note that any document written in a foreign language must include a certified English translation (an attestation singed by the translator indicating that he/she is fluent in both English and the original language of the document and competent to render a true and accurate translation).

International applicants to the Bachelor's Degree Program are advised to follow the Step-by-Step Guide below to ensure their enrollment in classes in a timely manner:

Step 1 - Apply to Palm Beach State College

First-time International Applicants and Current International Students (wishing to continue with the bachelor's degree program upon completion of the AA/AS): Please fill out and submit a Palm Beach State College Application to Credit Programs form to international@palmbeachstate.edu

Applications can also be mailed to:

Office of International Admissions and Recruitment
Palm Beach State College
4200 Congress Avenue
Lake Worth, FL 33461

It is important that you provide your personal email address.

Please remember to select the bachelor's degree program objective code. Please note that international students are only eligible for admissions, due to federal regulations, to the B.A.S. Supervision and Management concentrations (General Management/Health Management) with availability of year-round on campus and online classes.

 

Step 2 - Contact the Bachelor's Degree Program Office

International applicants will need to contact the Bachelor's Degree Program office directly, to submit the required documents for their admission to the bachelor's degree program.

 

Step 3 - Contact the Office of International Admissions

Once accepted into the bachelor's degree program, applicants will need to submit the following documents to international@palmbeachstate.edu by the deadline for the intended semester of enrollment:

1. Official proof of acceptance to the bachelor's degree program
2. An I-20 Request Form
3. Proof of the applicant's financial ability to pay for his/her living and educational expenses while attending Palm Beach State College. The applicant needs to provide a letter from his/her or sponsor's financial institution showing a minimum balance of $28,750.00 (US). An applicant with a financial sponsor also needs to submit a notarized Affidavit of Financial Support signed by the sponsor. For more information regarding the cost for an international student at Palm Beach State to attend the BAS program for one academic year, please see the List of Estimated Expenses (Bachelors of Applied Science (BAS).
4. Copy of passport (bio and F-1 visa pages only) and I-94 (front and back).
5. (For international applicant already in the U.S. transferring from another approved school) International Student Transfer form and copy of previous Certificate of Eligibility (I-20).

Following completion of all admissions requirements a Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20) will be issued to each admitted student.

 

Step 4 - Register for Classes

1. Before students can enroll in classes they need to provide proof of health and accident insurance to the Office of International Admissions.
2. Register for classes.

The following forms must be printed out, completed, signed and dated. Please submit fully completed forms with the required supporting documents to the Office of International Admissions.