Southwestern Illinois College is a community college offering associate degree programs to students interested in attending a college in the United States on a non-resident student visa.  Our Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees are designed for students who plan to transfer to four-year universities upon graduation from SWIC.  Baccalaureate degrees cannot be earned at SWIC. Our Associate in Applied Science degree programs are career oriented and designed for students who plan to begin their careers upon graduation from SWIC.  Some program restrictions apply due to visa enrollment requirements.

Students with an international status other than F visa can contact enrollmentservices@swic.edu for details on required residency documentation for enrollment.

Requirements for F-1 Admission

International students will be considered for admission to SWIC after the following documentation is received by the Designated School Official. Class start dates are listed below.

*Suggested deadline for completed paperwork submission to allow proper time to complete the student visa application process prior to the start of the term. Learn more about applying for your student visa. Students transferring from another U.S. institution may have more flexibility on deadline. Please contact international@swic.edu for more information.

Step One: International Student Application

Complete the International Student Application. This form assists our International Admissions Team with beginning the admissions process based on your status as a new, transfer, or visiting F-1 visa student and is separate from the college enrollment form below.

Step Two: SWIC Application

Complete a New Student Information Form. Once you receive a student ID number, be sure to set up your eSTORM and student email accounts for official communication from SWIC. You will also be asked to provide a copy of your passport, the US address where you will stay while enrolled, and your address in your home country.

Step Three: Transcript Evaluation

Official copies of all secondary school and college transcripts not from a U.S. institution must be provided with notarized English translations from one of the following organizations:

• World Education Services
• Educational Credential Evaluators

Step Four: English Language Proficiency

International applicants are required to demonstrate English language proficiency by one of the following methods:

• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) – The minimum score accepted for admission is 500 on the written exam which equates to 173 on the computer based TOEFL or 61 or above on the Internet-based TOEFL.
• IELTS (International English Language Testing System) – The minimum score accepted for admission is 6.0 or higher.
• ENG 101 Placement – Coursework completed at a U.S. high school, college or university or other qualifying test scores, including SAT and ACT, that qualify for placement into ENG 101 or higher.

Step Five: Certification of Funding

F-1 applicants are required at time of application to provide certification of the availability of funds to meet all tuition and cost of living expenses of one year of attending SWIC. Total amount to be certified listed below.

*Our current tuition for international students is $206 (U.S. currency) per semester credit waived to in-district rate of $123 per semester credit with an additional $9 per semester credit institutional fee.  Minimum enrollment is 12 semester credits per fall & summer term. This rate is subject to change without notice. 

Step Six: Visa Application

After acceptance to Southwestern Illinois College and issuance of the I-20, the Form I-901 must be completed and a $350 immigration fee paid to the consulate prior to seeking a visa. 

To pay this fee online visit FMJFEE.com.  Detailed information on the fee can be found in the US Customs and Immigration I-901 FAQ.  

Proof of Insurance

Proof of medical and repatriation insurance is required. For guidance, visit HealthCare.gov.

Things to Know:

1. Travel to the US can be booked after the visa is issued. Students must arrive prior to the start date of the term.
2. After the visa is confirmed, a designated school official will refer you to an academic advisor to discuss course placement and degree requirements.
3. F-1 visa students must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours per term in an eligible program of study. One course (3 credit hours) may be taken online.
4. All new F-1 visa students should attend an orientation session with a designated school official when they arrive to campus.
5. F-1 visa students are not permitted to work more than 20 hours per week in an on-campus job. Off-campus employment is not permitted.

Transfer Students

Students in the United States attending another college who wish to attend SWIC will be asked to submit the following items in addition to the items listed above:

• Copy of Current I-20 & Visa
• Confirmation of I-901 fee payment
• Correspondence from Designated School Official at your current institution stating good standing and SEVIS release date.

Contact Information