International and Visa Students
Polk State College is authorized to enroll nonimmigrant alien students, classified as either International Students (F-1 visas) or other nonimmigrant visa holders. International Students who hold an F-1 visa enter the United States specifically for the purpose of obtaining an education. Students on F-1 visas are required to attend school full-time (minimum of 12 credit hours per semester) and pay the out-of-state tuition and fees during their entire enrollment at PSC.
Anyone who enters the United States on a visa type other than F-1 is here for a purpose other than education and most are eligible to attend school at PSC part-time while maintaining the status of their nonimmigrant visa. The exceptions include B1 or B2 Tourist visas , M1 or M2 Vocational Student visas, and J-1 Exchange Student visas. Persons holding these visa types may apply as an International Student and, upon acceptance, may either change their status or return home to apply for an F-1 visa. B1/B2 and J-1 visa holders may apply for a change of status while remaining here in the U.S.; however, M1/M2 visa holders must return home to obtain a new visa.
Most holders of a nonimmigrant visa are required to pay out-of-state tuition and fees, however there are a few visa types that are allowed to qualify for Florida residency for tuition purposes after one year of residency in a valid, eligible visa category.
Acceptance and Issuance of SEVIS I-20
International Students who provide all of the required admission documents below and meet all the requirements for admission by the published deadline will be issued an acceptance letter and a SEVIS I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Non-Immigrant (F-1) Students. The SEVIS I-20 is used to show acceptance to PSC, to complete the I-901 SEVIS form and pay the $200 fee, and to complete the DS-156 or DS-160 (if available) application for non-immigrant visa
Admission Requirements
Students interested in applying for admission as an International Student should begin the admission process six months prior to the semester you would like to begin your studies. You may request an international student admission packet be mailed to you by calling Mrs. Simmi Johnson in Lakeland at (863) 669-2822 or Mrs. Mary Westgate in Winter Haven at (863) 292-3758 or by emailing your request to internationalstudent@polk.edu.
If you are pressed for time and don't have six months prior to the semester you wish to start your studies, or if you just want the convenience of having the admission forms instantly, you may print the forms from the Admission Section below. The International Student Admission Guidebook contains all the information you need to become an international student at Polk State College, while all the admission forms are linked below. Click on each link and the form will open in a new window. From there you can print the documents, complete them and submit them back to either International Student Advisor.
Admission Deadlines
International and visa students must submit all required documents and meet all conditions of admission by the following deadlines:
Fall Semester (late August - mid December): May 15th
Spring Semester (early January - early May): October 15th
Summer Semester (early May - early August): March 15th
Admission Information
For admission information please see the International Students Admission Guidebook. Please review this document for important information.
List of most common foreign high school credentials needed for Freshman applicants.
This is a list of the most common high school credentials per country. If your credential is not listed in this guidebook, please contact Josef Silny at (305) 273-1616 to inquire as to whether your credential is equivalent and what you need to send to complete the evaluation.
Admission Forms
PSC Application for Admission is required for all students seeking admission to Polk State College. Please print both the Application for Admission and the Residency Affidavit and send completed forms to the International Student Advisor. Contact information is below.
Residency Affidavit is the document that determines if you are eligible to establish residency for tuition purposes. All F-1 visa students are classified as Non-Florida residents for tuition purposes and must pay the out-of-state tuition the entire time of study in the F-1 status.
International Student Application is required and must be submitted with your Polk State College application. Please print and complete this document.
Affidavit of Support is required for any individual or any commercial organization that will be sponsoring your education. Please print one of these forms for each sponsor. Each sponsor must also submit a recent bank statement showing the funds that they have committed to your education are readily available.
A physical exam is required and must be documented on the Health Certification form.
Affidavit of Native Language
If English is your native language, please print and complete this affidavit.
If English is not your native language you must prove English proficiency. TOEFL is the most common means of proving proficiency. This link takes you to the Educational Testing Services website, which provides information about TOEFL: www.toefl.org. See the International Student Admission Guidebook for additional means of proving English proficiency.
Check Sheet for Visa Students
This checklist is not required to be submitted to PSC; it is a helpful tool for you to track the submission of admission documents and completion of admission requirements.
Arrival in the U.S. and Reporting to Polk State College
The Arrival & Reporting Procedures document describes the procedures to follow upon receipt of your SEVIS I-20.
Transferring Students
F-1 Visa Transfer In Form
The F-1 Visa Transfer In Form is required only if you are currently attending, or have recently attended, a college or university in the United States and are transferring to Polk State College without returning home first.
F-1 Visa Transfer Out Form
The F-1 Visa Transfer Out Form is required only if you are currently attending Polk State College and are transferring to another college or university.
Still have questions?
If you have questions concerning the application process, please contact an International Student Advisor at internationalstudent@polk.edu.
Lakeland campus: 3425 Winter Lake Road, Lakeland FL 33803
Mrs. Simmi Johnson, simmijohnson@polk.edu.
Phone: (863) 669-2822, Fax: (863) 297-1006.
Winter Haven campus: 999 Avenue H NE, Winter Haven, FL 33881
Mrs. Mary Westgate, mwestgate@polk.edu.
Phone: (863) 292-3758, Fax: (863) 297-1060.