INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Who is considered an international student at Lakeland?

At Lakeland, an international student is defined as an individual who will enter or has already entered the United States with an F-1 student visa.

Can I study English as a Second Language (ESL) at Lakeland?

No. Lakeland is not a language school. You must provide documentation of English language proficiency before acceptance to the college is granted.

What is the cost to study at Lakeland Community College?

The estimated cost for tuition and fees for the 2025-2026 academic year is about $8,647 per academic year; however, F-1 visa students are required to provide proof of financial support of a minimum of $23,600 for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Estimated Cost for 2025-2026 Academic Year (in U.S. dollars)
Tuition: $8,647
Living Expenses: $11,259
Other Expenses: $3,694
Total: $23,600
 
Optional - Health Insurance: $500
 
How can I check the status of my application?

If you have questions about your application, log in to your application guest account or email international@lakelandcc.edu.

What is the deadline for submitting admission requirements to Lakeland as an F-1 student visa applicant?
All admission required documentation must be submitted by the following deadlines:
 
Fall Semester – July 15
Spring Semester – November 15
Summer Term – F-1 visa students cannot be admitted for the summer term.
 
How do I get an F-1 student visa?

After you are accepted and receive the Form I-20 from Lakeland, you must apply for your F-1 student visa at the U.S. embassy or consulate nearest your home. Required documents depend on the country, so it is recommended that you check with the U.S. embassy or consulate to determine what you need before your appointment.

What do I do if my F-1 student visa is not approved in time for me to make it to the campus by the published deadline?

If your F-1 student visa is not approved by the published deadline, you can ask for your application and your I-20 form be deferred to the following semester. Updated proof of financial support and sponsor's affidavit of support documentation must be provided before a new I-20 form is issued.

My F-1 student visa status is terminated. Am I eligible to study at Lakeland?

No. Lakeland does not accept students who have an F-1 student visa status that is terminated.

Can I declare a certificate as my program of study?

No. F-1 visa students must be in a degree-seeking program.

How many credits do I have to register for each semester?

To maintain status, F-1 visa students must register for a minimum of twelve credit hours per semester. Nine of these twelve credits must be in-person (seated in a classroom on campus). Online, Hybrid, WebEx and Hyflex courses do not count as in-person courses.

Am I eligible to enroll in fully online courses?

No. However, you are permitted to enroll in online courses as long as nine of the required twelve minimum credit hours per semester are in-person (seated in a classroom on campus).

How do I register for courses?

Due to a registration hold on your account, you are not permitted to register yourself or make changes to your schedule. It is recommended you meet with an academic advisor each semester to create a schedule that ensures that you will maintain your status.

Lakeland Community College has multiple parts of term with different start dates during the semester. Can I start any part of term during the semester?

No. You must be enrolled at the beginning of the semester in either the 8-week (P1) or 16-week (full) part of terms.

Do I have to attend a New Student Orientation?

Yes. The New Student Orientation is designed to assist you with the transition to Lakeland Community College. Once officially admitted to Lakeland, you will receive email instructions on how to complete this requirement.

Am I eligible for financial aid?

You are not eligible to apply for U.S. federal or state financial aid, but you may be eligible for scholarships. Once accepted to Lakeland, you can apply for the Lakeland Foundation scholarships through myLakeland. There is no guarantee of scholarship funding.

Am I eligible to work on campus?

Yes. You do not need special authorization to work on campus. You can work on campus for up to 20 hours per week while classes are in session. To determine what student jobs are available on campus, click the STUDENT JOBS icon in your myLakeland account. You are not eligible for any jobs listed as Federal Work Study (FWS) only.

Do I need to get a Social Security number?

A Social Security number (SSN) is used by employers and employees for tax-reporting purposes; if you're not employed, you're not eligible for an SSN. 

What do I need to know about health services and insurance?

Lakeland Community College partners with University Hospitals to offer a health clinic on campus that offers free health care services at no cost to you. For clinic times and services, click here. In addition, you are not required to have health insurance, but it is highly recommended. Insurance plans for F-1 visa students are available from ISO Student Health Insurance and International Student Insurance.

What is the weather like in Northeast Ohio?

There are four seasons in Northeast Ohio: winter, spring, summer, and fall. As the fall semester begins in August, temperatures will range from 70-90 degrees Fahrenheit (21-32 degrees Celsius). In November and December, temperatures can drop to 17-40 degrees Fahrenheit (-8-4 degrees Celsius) and are usually accompanied by rain, snow, and ice. These temperatures sometimes last until March. As springtime approaches in March and April, temperatures begin to rise again to about 45-60 degrees Fahrenheit (7-15 degrees Celsius) and can last throughout the spring semester. 

 

 
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