You may obtain an application on-line at http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/isp/application.html or by requesting one be sent to you from the International Student Programs office. Once you send your application back to BCC with all the required documents, you will be notified of your application status.

BCC has no application deadline, but it is advisable that students turn in their application materials as soon as possible. Students need to check with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their home country to find out the average length of time that is required to obtain a visa. The application procedure and processing time for a visa varies for different countries. The information must be processed, and students will need ample time to prepare their move to Bellevue Community College, should they be accepted. Students will be notified of their acceptance by mail.

Yes, BCC offers an Intensive English Program to help you improve your English skills. The Intensive English / University Preparation (UP) offers five levels of English Language training. After successful completion of this program and proof of English proficiency, students can transfer directly into BCC's academic credit classes.

Students entering the United States on an F-1 student visa may apply for credit classes if they have received a TOEFL score of 500 (paper-based), 173 (computer-based), or 61 (iBT). If not, the Intensive English program should be taken first. If you are currently studying at an Intensive English program in the U.S., please see the credit class application form for other ways to satisfy the English Language Proficiency requirement.

Most college-level classes will transfer to a university, however, students are encouraged to meet with an advisor to map out an appropriate combination of classes that suit the student's academic goals and apply toward a future degree. The classes taken at BCC are the same caliber of classes taken during the first two years at a university. Selection of classes is very important, taking into consideration the student's major and the requirements of the transferring academic institution.

Bellevue Community College requires that all students and their dependents named on an I-20 form issued by BCC have health insurance coverage. The health insurance must cover the student for each quarter of attendance, as well as any authorized vacation or practical training periods in which the student remains in the U.S., including the time period from arrival in the U.S. through the beginning date of the academic quarter. International Student Insurance may be purchased through BCC each quarter. If a student elects to purchase a health insurance policy other than the BCC-contracted insurance, that coverage must meet or exceed the benefit levels of the BCC-contracted policy.

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If a student is accepted to BCC and is living outside of the United States, an immigration document (I-20) will be mailed to the student. The student will take the I-20 to a U.S. Embassy or Consulate and apply for a student visa.

If a student is attending the Intensive English Program on an I-20 form issued by BCC, he/she must be enrolled full-time (18-20 hours a week) each quarter. Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters last 10-12 weeks, and Summer quarter lasts 7 weeks.

Students on an F-1 visa who are in-status may work on campus less than 20 hours per week. Employment is limited on BCC's campus and the pay is minimal; therefore, students should not rely on any money from on-campus employment for living expenses or tuition. Students are responsible to visit the various departments on campus to see if there are any jobs available for them. Off-campus employment is extremely limited to F-1 students.

BCC's International Student Programs department offers three types of scholarships each quarter: $500 Leadership Scholarship (one student), $400 Academic Scholarship (top 50 students in the College Credit programs), and $400 Outstanding Students Scholarship (top six students in the University Preparation/Intensive English program).

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