International Students

The College offers Associate degree programs for F-1 international students, and we provide English as a Second Language and Academic Foundations courses for students who may need to strengthen their skills before starting their degree program studies.

The HCCC Office of International Student Services provides advice and assistance to non-immigrant F-1 students.

Begin the process by contacting our International Student Representative, Sabrina Bullock, at internationalstudentsFREEHUDSONCOUNTYCOMMUNITYCOLLEGE or call (201) 360-4136. 

The state of New Jersey requires that we ask all students who are enrolled full-time (12 credit hours or more) to provide proof of measles, mumps, rubella, and hepatitis B immunizations. All new students, regardless if they are full-time or part-time, must provide proof of meningococcal meningitis immunization, unless they are exempt. Students can provide evidence that they are exempt because of the following reasons:

• Medical reasons (such as pregnancy or immunity): Show a physician's statement or official record.
• Religious reasons: Show a statement from an official of the religious organization.
• Anyone born before January 1, 1957: Still must provide proof of hepatitis B immunization. 

We accept the following as evidence of immunization:

• An official school immunization record.
• A record from any public health department or physician.

Download and Fill Out Our Immunization Record Form.

Click here when you're ready to register for classes. 

Enroll for and complete a full course of study every fall and spring term. If you do not believe you will be able to fulfill this requirement for any reason, contact the ISS before you withdraw or stop attending class.  There are a few limited exceptions to the full time requirement for which you might qualify if you obtain permission in advance. You may only register for one (1) online class per registered nine (9) credits.

Hudson County Community College has a license to teach International Students at the Journal Square and Union City Campus ONLY. Unless you are a Culinary, Nursing Majors or you are registered for an externship course. 

I understand that if I do not make a payment arrangement with the Student Accounts’s office, I risk being de-registered and falling out of F1 visa status by not being enrolled. You may also login to your HCCC portal and your pay tuition online.

If you do not believe you will be able to maintain a full time course load for any reason, please contact the ISS before you drop, withdraw or stop attending class.

You must follow your program evaluation and inform ISS if you decide to change my major. If you do not follow your Program Evaluation, you may not qualify for a program extension on your Form I-20.

Your program completion date on your Form I-20 must always be up to date.  If you don’t think you will be able to complete your program by the completion date on your Form I-20, you must apply for a program extension at least 30 calendar days prior to the completion expiration date and obtain an updated Form I-20. If you expect to complete your program earlier than the I-20’s program completion date, you must get an updated Form I-20 with the correct program completion date before you complete your program.

If you believe you need additional time to complete your degree requirements and you are in good academic standing, you must apply for an extension and submit a new sponsor statement as well as updated financial records.

If you plan to attend another educational institution in the United States, you must notify the ISS and request for your SEVIS I-20 be transferred out before your I-20 end date and/or program end date, whichever is first.

If you have been admitted to a new program of study at Hudson County Community College, you must obtain a Form I-20 for your new program before you complete your current program of study.

If you have completed your program of study you must depart the U.S. within 60 days, Likewise, if you have completed your Optional Practical Training after completion of your studies and have no further plans of study, you must depart the U.S. within 60 days of your EAD’s end date. Please work with the ISS office if you are changing to another visa category.

You must have a valid passport at all times. If your passport will expire, contact your country’s embassy or consulate in the United States to renew it.

You will need to report any address or name change to the ISS within 10 days of making the change.

Notify the ISS if there are any changes in the information on your Form I-20, such as name, citizenship, degree level, major, or funding, and get an updated Form I-20.

When you plan to travel outside the U.S. you need a travel endorsement from the ISS for the current term to reenter.

You can submit your international student application in the following ways:

Visit our office at 71 Sip Avenue, Room L606, Jersey City, NJ, 07306

Email your documentation to our office at internationalstudentsFREEHUDSONCOUNTYCOMMUNITYCOLLEGE.

Please note that documents requiring a notary will need to be mailed or handed in to our staff.

Yes, you can reapply for an F-1 student visa, but you must submit an additional DS-160 fee to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate you are applying to. Please also make note of what may have been missing in your first application and/or interview.

Yes, you may apply to HCCC while holding a valid visa. However, please note that to study in the U.S. you must hold a visa which allows you to study. For further information, please visit USCIS’s resource on Nonimmigrants: Who Can Study?

No, your sponsor does not have to live in the United States. In fact, for your visa application, it is more favorable if you show ties from your home country. You may also have multiple sponsors, with your total financial support equaling what is required for your major, as indicated on the International Student Application.

You may sponsor yourself provided you submit the proper financial documentation stating that you have enough funds to support yourself.

Your spouse and/or child/children may apply as F-2 dependents, provided you submit additional proof of funding as indicated on the international student application (link to international student application). F-2 visa holders that are minors are allowed to enroll full time in primary and secondary school.

F-2 STUDENTS (PART-TIME ONLY)
F-2 visa holders (the family dependents of F-1 students) are now eligible to study in the United States on a part-time basis. F-2 students may study in either non-degree or degree-seeking status and online classes.

F-2 visa holders are subject to the following restrictions:
Limited to part-time study, no more than 3 course (under 12credits) per semester.
Not eligible for ANY employment in the United States, this includes on-campus employment, internships, etc.

No, HCCC does not have on campus housing. F-1 students must have established housing plans before they are issued a form I-20.

For tuition rates please visit HCCC’s Tuition and Fees information page.

Yes, photocopies/digital copies of documents are acceptable. This does not include official transcripts and documents that require a notary’s signature.

F-1 international students are eligible to enroll in all ESL and degree programs, this does not include certificate programs. Please note all incoming students are required to take HCCC’s College Placement Test for Math and English.

F-1 international students must begin their HCCC program in the Fall or Spring semester, NOT Summer 1 or Summer 2. For a complete list of programs, visit the HCCC Explore All Programs page.

F1 international student freshman are not eligible for scholarships. However, once you are enrolled, you may apply for merit-based scholarships.

Yes, your F-1 visa requires you to maintain a full course of study in the Fall and Spring semesters. A full course of study at HCCC is 12 credits minimum. Your F-1 visa does not require to be enrolled in classes during the Summer semesters. Please contact your program of study for details on your curriculum.

International Student Orientation is mandatory for all new F-1 international students at HCCC. This is a required component of your F-1 student visa regulations.

You may request an extension of your program end date.

No, our office does not accept terminated I-20s. You will need to apply for reinstatement with the school and DSO who terminated your SEVIS record.

F-1 international students are eligible for on and off campus work under certain conditions. Before you engage in any type of paid employment, you must check in with our office to verify you are eligible for this employment opportunity.

F-1 international students are allowed to register for 1 online/remote class per 9 credits of in person classes, during the Fall and Spring semesters.