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International Student Admission FAQs

  • International students are not eligible for the Federal Pell Grant (also known as FAFSA), which is open only to US citizens and qualifying non-citizens, not including non-immigrant student visa holders. Because loan applicants are required to first apply for Pell/FAFSA, international students are not eligible to apply for student loans through MCC.

     

  • MCC does not presently offer scholarships or grants for which international students are eligible, excepting athletic scholarships. Athletic scholarships are only offered at the discretion of the coach of each sports team to specifically-recruited students

  • MCC has a variety of sports teams for both men and women. International students are eligible to try out for the team of their choice, and some international students come to MCC as athletics recruits for specific teams. Information regarding our athletics teams can be found here.

No. MCC requires all international students to be present on campus during the term of their enrollment, taking no less than 12 credit hours of on-campus classes. Additional online classes can be enrolled in after that requirement is met.

  • MCC does not permit international students to take any employment or job during the first semester of college. This allows students to focus during the beginning of their college career on learning to balance their academics, social life, and other activities, as well as to spend time adjusting to the culture and experience of studying in America at MCC.

  • After the first semester, international students are eligible to apply for a limited number of on-campus jobs, known as assistanceships. Assistanceships are limited to a maximum of 20 hours per month, with a pay rate of minimum wage.

  • International students interested in assistanceship opportunities must contact their DSO to begin the process of applying for Federal Work Authorization. The process of obtaining a Social Security Card for Work Authorization is largely the responsibility of the students to pursue and follow up on.

  • International students who receive Work Authorization will need to open a US bank account at the banking institution of their choice for direct deposit of pay.

  • International students are NOT eligible for off-campus employment except in specific and extreme extenuating circumstances, which must be authorized through USCIS review and can only be obtained after at least 1 year of enrollment

  • Accepted international students are eligible to apply for MCC Campus Housing, which is segregated by gender and is available as dormitories or apartments. 

  • International students may also choose to reside off-campus. Off-campus residence is the responsibility of the student to arrange and maintain throughout enrollment, and any change in address must be reported to the DSO.

  • MCC offers free WiFi access to students on campus for personal devices.

  • MCC Student Life hosts a variety of student clubs and organizations, many of which are open to all students, international students included.

  • The David H. Quave Student Life Center offers all students a central location to gather, socialize, relax, and enjoy a wide variety of events, games, and other activities.

  • Take a virtual tour of the MCC campus to become familiar with the campus layout and building locations, including walking trails, the Damon Fitness Center, cafeteria, and athletics fields.

  • The Student Success Center offers a wide range of books, online databases, entertainment, and free tutoring for MCC students. 

  • MCC offers Support Services to all students, including international students. These services include testing/classroom accommodations,  mental health resources, and more.

  • Tuition payments are made through the MCC Business Office. The Business Office is the billing and collection point for Meridian Community College. It is located in Hardin Hall and is open from 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Monday-Thursday, and 8:00 AM -3:30 PM on Friday.

  • For international students residing off-campus, tuition payments can be made on a regimented, automatic-withdrawal payment plan, entirely up-front at the start of the semester, or in-part at the start of the semester and in full by mid-semester.

  • For international students residing in MCC Campus Housing, tuition must be paid either in full at the start of the semester or on a regimented, automatic-withdrawal payment plan.

  • Students should plan to have or have access to a personal electronic device, such as a desktop computer, laptop, or tablet. Access to an internet-enabled electronic device is crucial for academic success, classroom activity, and assignment submission. Computer labs are available for student use at the L. O. Todd Library during regular open hours, but should not be a student’s only access to electronic devices.

  • While not required, it may be useful for international students to have a personal mobile phone capable of making local calls and/or calls to the student’s home country.

  • Students should have a reliable personal email account, in addition to regularly checking their student email account for important communications from instructors, school officials, and the International Admissions team.

  • Many important day-to-day school items, such as paper notebooks, pens and pencils, calculators, and more can be purchased at the Eagle’s Nest Bookstore if the student cannot or chooses not to bring such items when traveling to the United States.