Earn a Degree at Heartland
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.
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.
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.
The Fall 2024 application is now closed for new student applications. If you are applying to transfer to Heartland from another school or college inside the USA, you may be able to apply after the deadline. Please contact international@heartland.edu for more information on transfer applications.International Application Deadlines Semester Application Due Date Fall 2024 (classes begining August) June 1, 2024 Spring 2025 (classes begin January) November 1, 2024 - We will review your application and supporting documents.
- Once your application and supporting documents have been reviewed, we will send you a voucher for online English placement testing. Please follow the instructions in the email to schedule and complete your test. A short video interview may also be required to complete English placement.
- 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 2-5 business days after your English placement is finalized.
- 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 wil 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.
- Submit international application and all supporting documentation before the deadline.
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.
- 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.
Download Financial Responsibility Document (PDF) - Certified bank statements: Please submit certified bank statements that add up to our financial support requirement of $25,480 USD.
- Copy of TOEFL score (if available): Please submit copies of your TOEFL score to show English language competency.
- If you have questions at any time during the application process, please contact us.
Contact Information Title Information E-mail international@heartland.edu Phone 309-268-8043 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.