Steps to Admission

 

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Complete the free application for admission online by clicking here.
You will receive a confirmation email with additional instructions, generally within one week of submitting your application.
  • There are three additional steps for you to complete.
  • A physical exam is required and must be documented on the Health Certification form. The form needs to be submitted within the six months prior to the start date of the semester you intend to start classes. If you are not admitted for the semester you intended, you will need to submit an updated form.
  • Proof of Financial Support.
  • 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 they have committed to your education are readily available.  The Affidavit of Support needs to be submitted within the six months prior to the start date of the semester you intend to start classes. If you are not admitted for the semester you intended, you will need to submit an updated Affidavit of Support and bank statements to be considered for a subsequent semester.

International Student Application

Deadlines:

Students must complete the application process by the semester deadlines below. If your application is incomplete by the deadline of your intended admission semester, your admission may be considered for the next term.

  • Fall Semester (late August – mid December): May 15
  • Spring Semester (early January – early May): October 15
  • Summer Semester (early May – early August): March 15

Submit Official Transcripts:

High School Transcript – will require a formal evaluation at your expense.
  • Contact International Education Evaluations, Inc to purchase an official evaluation report which will be sent to Polk State College. The application package for services is available here. Other evaluation services may also be accepted. If you have already had an evaluation of your credentials, you may submit it to the College to determine if it is acceptable for admission.
  • If transcripts are in a language other than English, a certified English translation must also be provided to the evaluation company. The Ministry of Education in the home country or a certified translation service in the United States, such as those found on the American Translators Association website, may provide the translation.
College Transcript(s) – will require a formal evaluation at your expense.
  • Contact International Education Evaluations, Inc to purchase an official evaluation report which will be sent to Polk State College. The application package for services is available here. Other evaluation services may also be accepted. If you have already had an evaluation of your credentials, you may submit it to the College to determine if it is acceptable for admission.
  • If transcripts are in a language other than English, a certified English translation must also be provided to the evaluation company. The Ministry of Education in the home country or a certified translation service in the United States, such as those found on the American Translators Association website, may provide the translation.

 Provide Proof of Financial Support:

  • An Affidavit of Support is required from each sponsor.
  • Recent bank statement(s) from each sponsor showing funds promised are readily available.
  • The Affidavit of Support needs to be submitted within the six months prior to the start date of the semester you intend to start classes. If you are not admitted for the semester you intended, you will need to submit an updated Affidavit of Support and bank statements to be considered for a subsequent semester.
  • International students do not qualify for any US federal financial assistance.

Complete Testing, Proof of English Proficiency, and Placement Requirements:

  • Affidavit of Native Language If English is your native language and is listed on the affidavit, please print and complete this affidavit.
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System for Study (IELTS): If English is not your native language, you must prove English proficiency.
  • TOEFL is the most common means of proving proficiency. The ETS website provides information about TOEFL at toefl.org. A score of 61 is needed to establish English proficiency.
  • The International English Language Testing System for Study (IELTS) is also accepted. A score of 5.5 is needed to establish English proficiency.
  • Proof of completion of a regionally-accredited English Language program.
  • See the college catalog for additional means of proving English proficiency.

Levels of English Proficiency (LOEP):

  • If you do not meet the TOEFL requirements, you may begin your studies at Polk State College in the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program, which provides English instruction. The LOEP is the test for placement into EAP courses.
  • It is highly recommended that the student have a basic understanding of the English language before entering EAP.

Post secondary Educational Readiness Test (PERT):

  • This is the college placement test you will take upon arrival at Polk State College.  Take a sample test by clicking here. No logon required.

Acceptance, Visa Issuance, and Receipt of SEVIS I-20:

  • International students who provide all of the required admission documents above and meet all the requirements for admission by the semester deadline will be issued an acceptance letter and a SEVIS I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Non-immigrant Students (F-1 or M-1).
  • The SEVIS I-20 is used to show acceptance to Polk State College and to complete the DS-160 Application for Non-immigrant Visa
  • Once you have received your I-20, you will need to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee. You can pay online at www.fmjfee.com or you can follow the directions on the I-901 form sent with your SEVIS I-20. Print your I-901 receipt; you will need it at your visa interview.

Visa Issuance:

  • Apply for your student visa online by completing the DS-160 Application for Non-immigrant Visa.
  • Make an appointment at the nearest US Embassy for a visa interview.
  • Upon receipt of the F-1 or M-1 visa, apply for your medical insurance online. The medical insurance students purchase must include basic medical coverage, emergency medical coverage, medical evacuation and repatriation.
  • Make travel arrangements.

 Arrival in the US and Reporting to Polk State College:

  • The Arrival & Reporting Procedures document describes the procedures to follow upon receipt of your SEVIS I-20.
  • It is required to officially report to Polk State’s International Student Office within the first 15 days of the semester. Bring your passport, I-20, and I-94 printout from the web.

ATTEND ORIENTATION AND REGISTER FOR CLASSES:

  • Attend an international student orientation.
  • Register for classes in orientation.
  • Pay tuition.

Still have questions?

Contact an international student adviser at internationalstudent@polk.edu.

Lakeland Campus:
3425 Winter Lake Road, Lakeland, FL 33803
Karen Walfall kwalfall@polk.edu Phone: 863.669.2821 Fax: 863.297.1006

Winter Haven campus:
999 Avenue H NE, Winter Haven, FL 33881
Joshua Plazak jplazak@polk.edu Phone: 863.292.3751 Fax: 863.297.1023