International Students FAQ

Any student who is not a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident of the United States is considered an international student. International students usually need an F1 or J1 visa to study in the United States.  

No. The application fee is a required part of the application.  

No, international students cannot study part time. U.S. immigration law requires that all international students on F1 student visas maintain full-time enrollment. To be considered full time, undergraduate students must be registered for a minimum of 12 quarter credits. Graduate students must be registered for a minimum of 9 quarter credits to be considered full time.  

No, international students are not required to take the SAT or ACT, but students who have taken the ACT or SAT can submit these scores in lieu of taking placement tests during registration.  

Students who do not meet the minimum required language proficiency for their academic program are eligible to study in the Intensive English Program. Students who study in the Intensive English Program receive provisional admission to an academic program. Upon successful completion of the Intensive English Program students can begin studying towards their chosen academic program.  

No, the college does not require the TOEFL for students who have earned a U.S. bachelor's degree or higher. In addition, students may use several successful semesters at the college level as proof of English proficiency. Submission of U.S. college transcripts is required to make this determination.  

The TOEFL/IELTS score is valid for two years.

Yes, the university awards credit for IB and AP exams. More information is available on the Credit for Prior Learning Page.  

More information about academic programs and majors is available on the Academic Programs Page.  

Yes, international students can apply for a second program degree or certificate. 

 Once we receive your materials, we will send you a letter to confirm the receipt of your application. Your application will be processed by the Admissions office and if you are admitted an I-20 and certificate of admissions will be mailed to you via courier. It takes about one – two weeks for applications to be processed.

Like all students, international students may apply in the Spring (March) and Fall (October) to the NWTC Foundation Scholarships which award small scholarships to deserving students who have demonstrated academic success, financial hardship, and/or commitment to service on campus or in the community.  

Yes, according to U.S. law, F-1 visa international students are eligible to work on-campus up to 20 hours per week during the academic year. International students cannot work off-campus without special permission.

Most international students attending the NWTC hold student (F1) visas. After you are admitted to the NWTC you will receive a Notification of Admission and a Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 Form). In order to obtain a student visa, present the Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 Form) to a United States embassy or consulate. The U.S. Department of State offers more information about obtaining a student visa. If you are attending a college or university in the United States, you must obtain a new Form I-20 from the NWTC. Be sure to complete the International Student Transfer Form. Your SEVIS record must be released from your former school to NWTC. If you have specific questions about student visas, you can contact International Programs directly.  

No, no record of immunization is required at this time.  

Yes, all international students are required to have health insurance when arriving on the NWTC campus.

NWTC admits students for a specific term. However, if you are unable to attend, you may defer your admissions for one semester. You will need to apply again in order to gain acceptance for a semester beginning after one year.  

Yes, an International Student Orientation is designed to help students with their transition to NWTC, and all newly admitted international students are required to attend at the beginning of each academic Fall or Spring term.

Information about the city of Green Bay, Wisconsin, and the surrounding area is available on Housing and Northeast Wisconsin webpage.

You will need to arrive on campus no earlier than 30 days prior to the first day of classes. You will also want to arrive no later than one week before classes so that you will be able to attend International Student Orientation.  

No. The Wisconsin Technical College System and NWTC offer tuition rates for international students at an already reduced rate equal to American students from outside the state of Wisconsin.  

This depends on your home country. Some countries are permitted, while others are not. You will need to check the Wisconsin Division of Motor Vehicles website for more information. If you purchase a car in the United States, you will be required to purchase Auto Insurance in order to drive in the state of Wisconsin.  

No, NWTC does not limit admissions by country of origin.  

No. You are considered a domestic student and would apply through the domestic admissions procedures.  

No. NWTC does not require an interview or review of oral proficiency in order to be admitted.  

Yes. You may get diplomas and other certificates of post-secondary completion translated in your own country as long as they bear an official stamp or signature attesting to their validity. Transcripts for credential evaluation must be translated by a professional, U.S.-based organization such as World Education Services.  

No, international students are not eligible for these forms of Federal student financial aid.

No. The tourist visa is not designed for students seeking a certificate-bearing program. You will need to apply for a change of status or leave the United States and apply for an F-1 visa. Please seek the legal advice of a qualified immigration attorney or official for legal advice in these matters.

This depends on the rules of your specific visa. You will want to verify whether or not academic study for the purposes of obtaining a certificate or diploma is permitted under your current status. You are encouraged to seek F-1 status to gain all rights and benefits of that visa status. In the case of being a dependent, this is particularly useful because it allows you to stay in-status regardless of any changes in status of your sponsoring visa-holder. Please seek the legal advice of a qualified immigration attorney or official for legal advice in these matters.