Rio Salado College welcomes your application as an International Student, and our staff will make every effort to assist you. Our admission requirements conform to the regulations of the U.S. Government for issuing F-1 student visa documents. If you have a question in completing this form, please contact the International Office by phone (480) 517-8416.

The admission requirements include the following:

  1. HIGH SCHOOL / SECONDARY SCHOOL GRADUATE

    An international student must have graduated from high school or secondary school that is equivalent to the twelfth grade in the United States. It is recommended that you graduated in the upper 50% of your class in order to ensure success in academic or vocational programs at Rio Salado College.

    An official transcript of your school record (translated in English) must be mailed directly to this college at the address listed at the bottom of this sheet.

  2. ENGLISH PROFICIENCY

    The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is used to determine competency in English. A TOEFL score of 500 or a Computer Based test score of 173 or equivalent proficiency as determined by the Director of International is required. TOEFL test results may be mailed directly from the Educational Testing Services to this college.

    For information concerning dates and locations of the TOEFL examination in your country, contact the United States Information Service at any U.S. Embassy or Consulate; or you may contact TOEFL by calling (609-951-1100 or faxing to (609) 771-7681 or online at www.ets.org/ell.

  3. TRANSCRIPTS AND/OR ACADEMIC RECORDS

    Official transcripts from all colleges and/or universities must be mailed directly from the college/university attended to the address listed at the bottom of this sheet. Transcripts must be translated in English, and a certified copy of the translation must be attached. Frequently, U.S. Embassies or Consulates refer applicants to certified translators.

  4. EVIDENCE OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT

    Rio Salado College has no provision for financial aid for international students. Each student must come fully prepared to meet all financial obligations for the entire course of study as a student including tuition, fees, books, medical insurance and all other personal expenses in the United States.

    The EVIDENCE OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT FORM must be completed and returned with supporting documentation attached. Certified affidavit of support, and bank statements are examples of documents.

  5. INTERNATIONAL STUDENT APPLICATION FORM

    The INTERNATIONAL STUDENT APPLICATION FORM must be completed, including your signature and date. This is the form used for application to our college.

  6. ADMISSIONS CONFIRMATION

    Upon receipt of all documents, they will be reviewed for your admission to Rio Salado College. If you are accepted, you will be sent a letter of confirmation along with the I-20. If you are not accepted, you will be sent a letter with an explanation.

  7. MANDATORY HEALTH INSURANCE

    All F-1 students who have an I-20 issued by Rio Salado College, one of the Maricopa Community Colleges, must carry the Maricopa County Community College District mandatory student health insurance while staying in the United States. The plan currently in use in MCCCD colleges is the International Student Health Insurance Plan offered by Guarantee Trust Life Insurance Company through the Renaissance Agencies, Inc. For more information, contact the Office of International Education at (480) 517-8416.

All documents and correspondence are to be sent to:

Rio Salado College
International Office
Erma Abeyta, Director
2323 W. 14th Street
Tempe, AZ 85281

*ALL INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS MUST REGISTER FOR 12 HOURS OF CREDIT OR MORE AND MAINTAIN A MINIMUM OF 12 SEMESTER HOURS ALL THROUGH THE SEMESTER. ALL STUDENTS ON F-1 VISAS MUST PAY OUT OF STATE FEES.

Non-Discrimination Notice - The Maricopa Community College District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, handicap/disability, age, or Vietnam era/disabled veteran status in employment or in the application, admission, participation, access and treatment of persons in instructional programs and activities. El Distrito de Colegios Comunitarios del Condado de Maricopa no descriminan ilegalmente en el empieo o en la solicitud de empleo, admission, participacio, acceso y trato de personas en programas instruccionales y actividades debido a raza, color, religion, origen nacional, genero, incapacitacion/desventaja fisica, edad, o por ser veteano de la era Vietamita o veterano inhabilitado.

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