El Centro College is authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant students carrying valid visas. International students are admitted once all admission requirements are complete. If you are an international student seeking F-1 visa status, you must:

• Contact El Centro College to request international student admission information;
• Provide an official TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 530 or higher on the paper/pencil version or TOEFL score of 197 or higher on the computerized version to meet the English proficiency requirement and be considered for academic credit. If you meet one of the following criteria, you will be excused from the TOEFL requirement:
  • You are a graduate of an accredited U.S. college or university; or
  • You are a native speaker of English from a country in which English is the primary language of the majority as documented by the Cambridge Encyclopedia of Languages. (See international admissions advisor for list of approved countries.)
  • You have an institutional TOEFL score of 530 or higher on the paper/pencil version or TOEFL score of 197 or higher on the computerized version from the University of North Texas or the University of Texas at Arlington may be substituted for the TOEFL;
  • You have successfully completed the final level of the American English and Culture Institute (AECI) or
  • You can present documented completion of the final level of an Intensive English Language Program that is approved by the DCCCD through an established agreement.

Upon admission, all international students are required to:

• Complete the college assessment for academic advisement and placement. If adequate English proficiency is not demonstrated through this assessment, placement in additional English language courses will be required.
• Show documented evidence of sufficient financial support for the academic year;
• Provide written proof of negative tuberculin skin test or chest X-ray taken within the last one (1) year, diphtheria/tetanus immunizations taken within the last ten (10) years, measles and rubella vaccines taken since January 1, 1968, and polio immunization if you are under nineteen (19) years of age;
• Submit official transcripts from each high school, college or university previously attended with a minimum of "C" average;
• Fulfill all admission requirements before the deadline designated by the college for international students and receive approval for admission from international admissions advisor.
• In addition to the requirements stated above, if you are an international student wishing to transfer from another U.S. institution, you must also:
  • Present documentation indicating valid non-immigrant status;
  • Provide official transcripts or documented proof verifying that you are "in-status" and have been pursuing a full course of study during the term immediately preceding the transfer from the institution last authorized by INS for attendance. International students are subject to the requirements of the Texas Academic Skills Program (TASP).

Upon admission, students must present all original immigration documents including a valid visa (I-94 arrival/departure record) and unexpired passport to be copied and kept on file. F-1 students must receive and secure the Form I-20AB from each new school attended. F-1 students must enroll in a minimum of 12 credit hours and maintain full-time enrollment during each regular semester in order to maintain visa status. It is strongly recommended that F-1 students obtain health insurance for the duration of their studies at El Centro College. After admission, international students must present TASP scores or take the alternate assessment unless otherwise exempt.