Our specialized international support team is ready to help you through your entire experience. They can also arrange health insurance, housing, free city bus access and other needs. While you are enrolled at Heartland, you will also have access to:
free academic supports such as tutoring, a writing center, a research and citations lab
transfer support to help you make a smooth transition to a university where you can continue your education
Heartland Community College works very hard to keep tuition and fees affordable.
Heartland out-of-country tuition & fees: $10,884
Average public 4-year university tuition & fees: $31,880
Average private university tuition & fees: $45,000
Books, lodging and transportation costs are not included in these figures.
*HCC tuition and fees estimate is based on one academic year of full-time enrollment (12 credit hours per semester). This represents the minimum enrollment required by F-1 visa regulations. Many students choose to enroll in more than 12 credit hours each semester. Average 4-year institutions' tuition and fees for the 2025-26 academic year are available at trends.collegeboard.org.
Welcome! We're glad you want to apply to study at Heartland!
Before you apply, please read through the process below, and gather all necessary documents. Your application must be complete and submitted before the deadline in order to be considered for admission.
Should I Apply as An International Student?
An international student is a citizen of a country other than the United States who is authorized to remain in the United States for a temporary period of time, for educational purposes only as a non-immigrant (F-1 visa). If you have any other visa type, you will not need to apply as an international student. Please go to the Heartland application page to find out about applying as a traditional student.
If you want to change from your current visa to an F-1 visa, you would need to apply as an international student and then submit a change-of-status request with the US government to F-1 status. We recommend you also contact an immigration attorney for help with a change-of-status request. Heartland Community College cannot give legal advice on visa and immigration processes.
Application Process
Please follow the steps below to apply as an F-1 student at Heartland Community College.
Submit international application and all supporting documentation before the deadline.
International Application Deadlines
Semester
Application Due Date
Fall 2026 (classes begin August)
May 15, 2026
Spring 2027 (classes begin January)
October 15, 2026
We will review your application and supporting documents.
Once your application and supporting documents have been reviewed, we will send you information about scheduling a video interview and online English placement test. Please follow the instructions in the email to set up your interview and test.
Once you have completed the placement test and interview, we will send an acceptance letter and I-20 visa eligibility form. In most cases, you will receive the acceptance packet 2-3 weeks after you complete the English test.
Follow the instructions in your acceptance packet to complete the F-1 visa application and set up a visa interview appointment with your local US Embassy or Consulate.*
*It is important to understand that not every international student is granted a visa. Your visa application may be denied by the US Government at any time, for any reason.
If approved, make travel arrangements. You can travel to the US no more than 30 days before the program start date on your I-20. International Office staff will let you know details of recommended arrival dates and airport transit options. You must report to campus on the program start date listed on your I-20. This date is the first day of international student orientation. You will not be able to enroll in classes if you do not attend the orientation.
Follow any next steps Heartland Admissions and International Programs staff give you.
Required Documents
Required Documents
As a part of your application, we require some documents to be submitted. Below is a list of the documents and an explanation of each.
Copy of your passport: Please submit a copy of your valid passport in order to verify your eligibility to travel to the United States.
Copy of all school records, diplomas, etc: Please submit your past history of your academics so we can know that you're prepared for the academic rigors of college.
Certified bank statements: Please submit certified bank statements that add up to our financial support requirement of $26,678 USD. The owner of the bank account must be the same person named as your sponsor on the Financial Responsibility form.
Financial Responsibility document: Please download this document and fill it out in preparation for your application. When you apply, you must turn it in to show that you have enough financial sponsorship to pay for an entire year of tuition and other expenses. The Sponsor Information and Affidavit of Support sections should be completed and signed by your sponsor (the named account holder for any bank statements submitted). If you have more than one sponsor, you should submit a separate form for each person providing you with financial support.
All transcripts, letters and other admission materials become the property of Heartland Community College. Keep copies of your documents, as you will need them during your visa interview.
Financial Requirements
The following is an estimate of the basic cost for an academic year (fall and spring semesters only) at Heartland Community College. Remember, this is a minimum estimate. You will need to plan for all additional expenses.
You must show that you have enough financial support to pay for an entire year of tuition and other expenses.
The 2026-2027 out-of-country tuition and fee rate is $435.50 per semester hour. Fees are $18 per semester hour (note: some courses include additional fees, e.g. lab fees, that are not included in this estimate).
Estimated Cost for an Academic Year
Category
Cost
Tuition* & Fees (two semesters)
$10,884
Room & Board (two semesters)
$11,550
Books & Supplies (two semesters)
$900
Miscellaneous Expenses
$3,344
Total
$26,678
Total financial support required for admission: $26,678
This requirement is an estimate of minimum cost for one academic year of study. This is the amount of financial support you must show to demonstrate visa eligibility. However, it is important for you to plan carefully to make sure you can cover your living expenses while studying in the USA.
If you will have F-2 dependents (spouse or children) who will be with you in the USA while you study, an additional $5,000 per dependent proof of funds is required.
DO NOT assume that you will be able to work while you study in order to pay your tuition or living costs.
F-1 students are subject to strict employment restrictions. In most cases, F-1 students are only legally permitted to work on-campus.
Student employment at HCC will not be enough to cover your expenses as an international student. On-campus employment opportunities are limited and competitive, so there is no guarantee of employment.
Unlawful employment is a violation of visa regulations that can lead to loss of visa status and being required to leave the USA immediately.
Your financial support must be enough to cover your expenses without needing to work unlawfully in the USA.
*12 semester hours is the minimum course load required for F-1 visa eligibility. Most students enroll in more than 12 hours each semester. Tuition & Fees estimation and listed rate is variable and subject to change at any time. Payment of one semester’s tuition & fees will be expected at the time of enrollment. Payment plan options are available. The Board of Trustees reserves the right to change tuition and fees at any time.
Copy of certified bank statements showing at least the total amount of $26,678.
Online Application
Are you ready to apply? Please make sure you have read through the application process. Next, be sure you have these documents ready before you go to the application:
Copy of your passport: Please submit a copy of your valid passport in order to verify your eligibility to travel to the United States.
Copy of high school completion documents: please provide documents to show that you have graduated from high school, either in the USA or in another country.
Certificate of Financial Responsibility: Please download this document and complete it with your sponsor in preparation for your application. When you apply, you must turn it in to show that you have enough financial sponsorship to pay for an entire year of tuition and other expenses. Download Certificate of Financial Responsibility
Certified bank statements: Please submit certified bank statements that add up to the financial support requirement of USD$26,678. These accounts should be owned by the same person who signs as your sponsor on the financial responsibility document.
If you are applying to transfer to Heartland from another US institution, please submit the following additional documents:
Copy of your current visa and I-20
Transcripts from all US institutional previously attended (unofficial transcripts are ok)
All documents must be either scanned copies, or clear photographs of the complete document.
You must be enrolled as a full-time student taking at least 12 credit hours worth of classes each fall and spring semester. Contact a Designated School Official (DSO) for details about summer enrollment.
You may not withdraw from classes without advisor approval.
You must notify your DSO before you leave Heartland for either a short-term or long-term absence. They will help you complete any required documentation so you can safely re-enter the United States.
You must complete proper transfer procedures if you change schools. You must submit a transfer out form to your DSO, obtain a new I-20, and report to the new school within 15 days of the program start date.
You must notify your DSO before enrolling in online courses. Only 1 fully online class can apply towards your full-time enrollment requirement.
You must notify your DSO before enrolling at another school while attending Heartland.
Travel
Please contact your DSO and complete a travel form if you plan to leave the Bloomington-Normal area for more than one day. You must contact the DSO to make sure your I-20 and visa are up to date if you plan to travel outside the USA.
Make travel arrangements early. Remember to schedule return travel before classes resume (AELP students: you must be present to attend the AELP Orientation before classes begin - please contact adult.education@heartland.edu to confirm AELP Orientation dates and requirements).
Anticipate delays at consulates and ports of entry.
To re-enter the US after a temporary absence, you must have the following documents:
a valid passport
a valid visa
current I-20 with a valid travel authorization signature
a course schedule or verification of enrollment letter
Employment
F-1 students are only allowed to work on Heartland's campus. Student employment opportunities are limited and competitive.
You may not work off-campus in the USA without prior approval from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
If you need work experience in your field of study, ask your DSO about Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Curricular Practical Training (CPT) approval. OPT and CPT provide opportunities to pursue internships and work experience opportunities in jobs that relate to your major.
You must not accept off-campus employment even if the employer states that it is allowable, unless you are approved for OPT or CPT and the employment is related to your field of study.
Personal
You must report any changes in your US or home country addresses to your DSO within ten days to submit a change of address form.
You must notify your DSO if there are any changes in the information listed on your current I-20. Examples of changes include:
sponsor or financial information
your college major
your name
citizenship
any other I-20 information
Documentation
Do not let your I-20 expire. If you need more time to complete your studies, contact your DSO to apply for an extension at least 30 days before your form expires.
You must maintain a passport valid for at least six months into the future.
You must keep track of your visa expiration date. If needed, you must make certain to apply for a new one on your next trip home so you are able to return to the US.
Before you travel outside the US, your DSO must sign the travel endorsement signature on your I-20. You may not be allowed to re-enter the United States without a travel endorsement. This signature is valid for 1 year.
Important Resources
Please visit the sites below for important information.
HCC recommends that all international students have primary health insurance while studying in the USA. The International Programs Office can coordinate health insurance on request, or students may purchase insurance independently.
This video provides an introduction to US Health insurance, to help you understand the basic structure and key terms involved in American health insurance policies.
