Attend MCC as an International Student

McHenry County College is authorized under U.S. federal law to enroll nonimmigrants (a person who seeks temporary entry to the United States for a specific purpose and who has permanent residency abroad) according to 8 CFR 214.2 (f) Academic and Language Students. Upon acceptance the College will issue the student’s Form I-20 Certificate of Eligibility and the student may apply for F-1 student visa status.

MCC is a two-year public community college located in Crystal Lake, Illinois. We are authorized to admit and enroll F-1 international students for two-year baccalaureate transfer and occupational degrees.

MCC is a commuter institution; no public transportation or on-campus housing is available.

Visit Study in the States information about nonimmigrant study in the United States.

• What do I do to become an international student at McHenry County College?

  Nonimmigrant students who intend to study in the United States in F-1 student visa status must apply for international admission* by submitting the following to MCC Admissions:

  • Completed MCC International Student Application
  • Statement of Intent to pursue an academic or technical degree in full-time status (12 or more credit hours per semester)
  • International Student Affidavit of Financial Support with original documentation certifying financial resources to support the student’s Cost of Attendance (COA) for at least one full academic year (fall and spring semesters/nine months)
  • English proficiency test results: Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-based (TOEFL iBT) minimum score of 71, or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) minimum score of 6.5, or equivalent test
  • Official high school and/or university/college transcript of coursework completed outside the United States

  *International students must apply for admission at least four months prior to attending MCC.

  Submit all correspondence and documents to:
  MCC Admissions, A260
  McHenry County College
  8900 US Hwy 14
  Crystal Lake, IL 60012-2761

  Email: admissions@mchenry.edu | Phone: (815) 455-8530 | Fax: (815) 455-3766

• When will MCC issue my Form I-20?

  When all items listed above are received and approved by MCC Admissions, the College will issue a letter of acceptance and a Form I-20 Certificate of Eligibility. The Form I-20 authorizes you to apply for an F-1 Student Visa at a U.S. Consulate or U.S. Embassy in your home country.

• What do I do next?
  1. See the list of U.S. Consulates and U.S. Embassy locations
  2. Pay the $350 non-refundable I-901 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee before the date of your visa interview. Save your receipt.
  3. Contact your local U.S. Consulate or U.S. Embassy to schedule your visa interview.
• What if I have transcripts from a foreign country?

  University/college coursework completed outside the United States must be submitted to an organization that specializes in evaluating foreign international transcripts. MCC will accept official evaluations of earned international credentials from any member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). See a list of NACES member organizations

  Read more about international transcript evaluation

• What do I do when I arrive in the U.S.?

  After your F-1 Student Visa has been approved by the U.S. Consulate or Embassy in your home country, you will be ready to a travel to the U.S. Plan to arrive in the U.S. no earlier than 30 days before the semester starts (refer to your Form I-20 for your earliest arrival date). Contact Admissions at MCC immediately upon arrival for information about your next steps.

• How can I calculate my first-year expenses?

  First-year expenses are determined by calculating Cost of Attendance, or COA, the estimated expenses a student may be expected to pay during each academic year of full-time enrollment based on the international tuition rate of $462.73 per credit hour.

  U.S. federal immigration regulations require that international applicants provide proof of adequate financial resources to live and study in the U.S. in a full course of study (full-time enrollment in 12 or more credit hours per semester) for at least one full academic year (fall and spring semesters/9 months).

  You may provide proof of financial capability by documenting personal financial holdings, or by sponsorship.

  International students enrolled at McHenry County College are required to have sufficient funds to meet all expenses while attending MCC. Failure to fulfill tuition obligations may result in loss of F-1 visa status. McHenry County College cannot offer loans, scholarships, or other forms of financial assistance to international students.

  See a list of estimated educational and living expenses which the typical student may be expected to pay during each academic year of full-time enrollment at MCC, also known as the International Cost of Attendance (COA) for 12 credit hours