International student applicants seeking a Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status in order to obtain an F-1 Visa must apply to the college and submit the required documentation below.
Once all required documents have been received and admission to the college is approved, Lakeland will issue an I-20 form to the student, typically within 2-3 weeks.
- Fall Semester – July 15
- Spring Semester – November 15
- Summer Term – F-1 international students cannot be admitted for the summer term.
Complete Lakeland's application. Choose "International Student" as your student type. There is no fee to apply.
A copy of your final, official high school transcript showing graduation date, school seal and school representative signature is required. You may submit the transcript directly to Lakeland Community College at international@lakelandcc.edu if all criteria are met.
- U.S. college transcripts: Only submit if you are currently studying at a U.S. college or university on an F-1 visa. Official transcripts must be in a sealed envelope from the college or university or can be sent electronically from the school to transcripts@lakelandcc.edu.
- Foreign transcripts: Only submit if you have completed university studies outside of the United States. Foreign transcripts must be evaluated by an accredited evaluation agency such as World Education Services (WES) or Educational Perspectives. For a full list of accredited evaluation service providers, visit https://www.naces.org/members. All costs associated with foreign transcript evaluations are the student's responsibility and arrangements for payment must be made directly with the evaluation agency. Transfer of foreign credit may not be guaranteed.
Submit a copy of the passport signature page, showing the validity and expiration date of your passport. If you list dependents on your application, you must also submit a copy of their passport.
If English is not your first language, you are required to submit the results of an English language proficiency examination (unless you are from an English Proficient Exempt Country).
Official scores must be dated within the past two years from one of the following:
| Test/Program | Minimum Score |
|---|---|
| TOEFL (paper-based) | 500 |
| TOEFL (computer-based) | 173 |
| TOEFL (internet-based) | 61 |
| IELTS | 6.0 or above |
| Duolingo English Test | 99 |
| ACT | 18 or above (in English) |
| SAT | 480 or above (in Evidence-based Reading and Writing) |
| Completion of accredited ESL program | Not available at Lakeland Community College |
| Transfer credit in college-level English from an accredited U.S. college or university | Grade of "C" or better |
You must submit proof of financial support to cover tuition and living expenses for one year in the amount of $23,600 USD. If traveling with dependents, this amount will increase by $4,500 USD per dependent (for example: 2 dependents would increase the amount to $32,600 USD).
Acceptable proof of financial support documentation includes checking and savings account bank statements; government funding; and investment statements indicating liquid assets.
Documentation must:
- Be in student's name or in the name of student's sponsor indicating a minimum balance of $23,600 USD (see above regarding increase in amount due to dependents).
- Be dated within six months of your program start date and must include the institution's contact information. Fall semester documentation must be dated no earlier than March 1 and spring semester documentation must be dated no earlier than August 1.
- Match the name of the person on the Sponsor's Affidavit of Support.
Estimated Cost for 2025-2026 Academic Year (in U.S. dollars)*
Tuition and Fees (based on 12 credit hours): $8,647
Living Expenses: $11,259
Other Expenses: $3,694
Total: $23,600
*Estimated budget expenses are subject to change without notice. See Tuition & Fees Schedule for Out of State residents.
If you are submitting financial support documentation that is not in your name or your own personal funds, you must submit a Sponsor's Affidavit of Support. If you will be using personal funds, this document is not required.
- Foreign sponsors must provide a written statement indicating their relationship with the student and specific intended contributions towards the student's expenses. View sample sponsorship letter.
- U.S. sponsors must provide an original Affidavit of Support (Form I-134).
If you are currently attending another U.S. institution, you must request that your current institution transfer your valid I-20 form to Lakeland Community College. Lakeland's Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) code is CLE214F00272000.