International Students

Why not explore a new country while you are going to college? The U.S. is renowned for its world-class education system, and at EICC international students enjoy high-quality academic programs and instructors who are leaders in their fields.

Experience the culture of our Midwest region, which boasts safe communities, low-cost housing, and so much to see and do. Our campuses are mere hours away from major U.S. cities including Chicago, St. Louis, and Minneapolis. International students can explore iconic landmarks, natural wonders, vibrant cities, and immerse themselves in the rich cultural heritage of the U.S.

And at the same time, build valuable networks that can open doors to global career opportunities.

International Student Admissions Checklist

Obtaining an F-1 Students Visa can be a lengthy process. It is important that you begin the process as soon as possible.

Every effort has been made to keep this information accurate, however all policies, procedures, tuition and fees, and curriculum are subject to change by appropriate action of the faculty, college administration or the EICC Board of Directors.

Preferred deadline for all documents to be received by EICC is June 1 for the fall semester and November 1 for the spring semester.

Submit official TOEFL or IELTS scores to your international student advisor.

  • EICC accepts IBT TOEFL, paper-based TOEFL, or IELTS. EICC prefers the IBT TOEFL. An Institutional TOEFL is not recognized by EICC.
  • Prior to academic classes, your composite score must be:
    • 61 = IBT TOEFL with a minimum subscore of:
      • 15  or higher on Reading
      • 14  or higher on Listening
      • 14 or higher on Speaking
      • 14  or higher on Writing
    • 500 =  paper-based TOEFL with a minimum of:
      • 50 or higher on Listening Comprehension
      • 47 or higher on Structure and Written Expression
      • 50 or higher on Reading Comprehension
    • 6 = IELTS band score
      • Subscore = 5
    • Upon arrival you may have an oral interview and write a sample composition to place you in the proper courses.

Provide an “official bank statement / letter” showing the amount of $19000 USD or greater in an account.  If you have a sponsor – they will need to write a letter indicating their financial support and a bank statement showing they have the required funds.

These are the estimated costs for tuition, books and living expenses:

  • Tuition $6231
  • Living expenses $10269
  • Health Insurance $1300
  • Books / materials $1200
  • Estimated Total $19000 USD

For dependents add: Spouse = $ 3800 / Child = $ 2600

Download Sponsor Support Form Letter

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program office (SEVP) has deployed an upgrade to the website dedicated to the SEVIS I-901 Fee that will allow a student or exchange visitor, or school or exchange visitor program, to verify online if ICE has received their SEVIS I-901 fee payment and when the official receipt for the payment was issued.

This capability will be available for payments made on the Internet, by check or money order, by Western Union and by bulk filing. Previously, this information could only be obtained by contacting the SEVIS program office directly.
 
The SEVIS I-901 website has proven to be a very popular avenue for fee payment. Approximately 77 percent of all fee payments are made via the Web site.
 
The new capabilities on the Web site will help assure students and exchange visitors that their fee payment has been received and provide them with an estimate as to when they can reasonably expect a consular official to be able to independently verify the SEVIS fee payment in their system.
 
Additional help links on the site cover topics such as identifying who is required to pay the fee, the options for paying the fee, how a third party can pay the fee for someone else, and how to obtain further assistance.

Go to the International Student Handbook

International Student FAQs

Community colleges are a U.S. innovation serving the needs of students for nearly 100 years. Around 1900, many education leaders advocated separating the first two years of higher education from the university setting, to better prepare students academically.
 
Today, community colleges are found in every one of the 50 United States. This nationwide network of approximately 1,100 state-supported two-year colleges enrolls 44 percent of the nation's undergraduates and 49 percent of all first-time freshmen. At community colleges, the emphasis is on teaching and learning. Most colleges offer three types of programs: college transfer that prepares students to enter a four-year program leading toward a bachelor's degree; career training that prepares students for a specific career in two years or less; and continuing education that offers classes for lifelong learning.

More than 9,000 students earn college credit at Clinton, Muscatine and Scott Community Colleges. Another 54,000 area residents use our continuing education programs. The colleges offer 55 career training programs in fields such as agri-business, health care, computers, electronics, industrial trades and office careers.

Students in the 41 liberal arts and sciences concentrations can focus on study areas such as physical and life sciences, mathematics, English, fine arts and the humanities, as well as pre-professional programs in engineering, law, chiropractic, and other health professions.

Internet access is available to all students. The District is also a nationally recognized leader in environmental education. 

Minimum paper based TOEFL 500/IBT TOEFL 61 or IELTs of band score of 6 are required of all international students whose primary language is not English. 

Dear Parent/Future Student: We do not offer full time intensive ESL. We do offer 16 week Grammar and Communicative Competence Support ESL classes at Low Advanced and Advanced ESL levels for credit when minimum class enrollment is met and as additional credits/coursework to the SEVIS required 12 credits per semester.  

Everywhere you turn in Eastern Iowa you'll find green space and nature. Though many think of Iowa as being miles of corn fields, the terrain of Eastern Iowa is anything but flat. Wooded bluffs, scenic overlooks and rolling hills abound in our river valley area. Miles of Mississippi River offer opportunities for boating, sailing, water-skiing and fishing from river beaches or riverside parks. Bicycle, walking and jogging trails allow residents to enjoy natural beauty. You may see a bald eagle in flight, or watch a riverboat making its way along the river.
 
Located at the intersection of U.S. 30 and the Mississippi River, Clinton is home to approximately 30,000 residents, who enjoy low cost of living, low crime, and high quality of life. Situated 138 miles west of Chicago, Clinton has been a strategic historic and commercial area for more than 150 years.
 
Muscatine's rolling terrain, river heritage and quiet neighborhoods give it a special personality. Named for a Native American tribe which lived in the area, this thriving community of more than 23,000 is also home to 96 diversified industries. Summer in Muscatine means fresh-picked produce, especially regional favorites such as sweet corn, watermelons, cantaloupe and tomatoes.
 
Bettendorf and Davenport, Iowa, make up a portion of a bi-state metropolitan area called the "Quad Cities". The Quad Cities, which spans the Iowa and Illinois sides of the Mississippi River, is home to nearly 400,000 residents and several major industries. Located about 160 miles southwest of Chicago, Illinois, and about 48 miles from the University of Iowa, the Quad Cities is a clean, safe area offering something for everyone. In just minutes, you can travel from the peaceful quiet of rural settings to the energetic bustle of city life. 

Clinton, Muscatine and Scott Community Colleges all offer intercollegiate sports such as baseball, basketball, soccer and golf in which you can participate. For more information, jump to our athletics website.

In addition, up and down the river, our communities offer plenty to do and see. Community walks and runs range from Clinton Community College's B-rrry Scurry Run in February to the internationally known Bix 7-Mile Run, which attracts thousands of world-class runners to Davenport each July. The Clinton, Muscatine, and Quad City park systems offer public swimming pools, and areas for picnics, baseball, tennis, volleyball and soccer. Other athletic attractions include two professional Class A professional baseball teams, a basketball team and a hockey team. 

Residents of Eastern Iowa enjoy the variety of four changing seasons. For international students from tropical or sub-tropical climates, attending college here offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience crisp white winters, green springs, balmy summers and colorful autumn displays.
 
Midwest summers are warm and humid. From June through August, temperatures range from an average high of 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius) to average lows of 60 F (16 C). Fall is especially beautiful along the river valley, as the oak and maple trees change color to deep orange, bright yellow and brilliant reds. Temperatures from September through November range from highs of 60 F (16 C) to lows of about 40 F (4.5 C).
 
Winters are fairly moderate, with total average snowfalls of 30 inches or less (less than eight decimeters). High temperatures from December through early March average 40 F with average lows in the 20s. (-6.67 C). Spring rains arrive in March, transforming the landscape into green grass and colorful flowers. Spring temperatures feature highs in the 60s F and lows in the 40s F. Annual rain averages under one meter. 

Iowa is known as the heartland of the United States, perhaps because conditions have encouraged the development of the best U.S. values - a positive attitude, courtesy and humor. As legacies, our early settlers left behind a hard-working rural work ethic, a friendly atmosphere and a reverence for education. Iowa leads the nation in public school quality and educational opportunities.
 
Parts of our Mississippi Valley area have a multi-ethnic heritage. Generations of immigrants were attracted by our dynamic river towns, rich farmland and strong manufacturing base. These new residents brought unique traditions, cuisines and folklore, which are celebrated at local festivals.
 
Music, theatre, dance and art are woven into the fabric of each community. Symphony orchestras, ballet, art festivals and galleries, professional and community theatre, and museums provide ample cultural enrichment and enjoyment. 

The Eastern Iowa Community Colleges , or EICC, was established in 1965 by the Iowa State Senate as one of 15 community college merged areas. Today, the EICC serves more than 270,000 people through Clinton, Muscatine and Scott Community Colleges. 

At Clinton, Muscatine and Scott Community Colleges you may complete programs leading to a degree, a diploma or certificate. The Associate of Arts (AA) and Associate of Science (AS) degrees are designed for transfer to four-year colleges and universities, while the Associate in Applied Science (AAS.) degree prepares the student for specific occupations. Shorter-term diploma and certificate programs prepare students for entry-level employment, often in less than two years. 

The colleges of EICC operate under an open admissions policy. All individuals above mandatory high school attendance age (16 years in the U.S.) are welcome to apply for admission, even if they have not completed high school. EICCD reserves the right to guide the placement of applicants through assessment, interviews and past academic achievements. Admission to the college does not guarantee admission to all programs offered by the college. For more details on international student admission, please request additional international student information. 

EICC has earned the maximum 10-year accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). This accreditation means our programs meet or exceed the standards for academic excellence set for every public or private college in the 19-state North Central region. The colleges are approved by the Iowa Department of Education and the State Board of Regents. Individual programs are accredited by associations within their respective fields.

Arts and sciences credit at one of the EICCD colleges will generally transfer to any HLC-accredited institution. Special agreements with eight participating colleges and universities ensure a smooth transfer for students earning an Associate in Arts degree. A degree from EICCD guarantees admittance to any of the universities run by the state of Iowa, regardless of your pre-college academic performance.
 
EICC's transfer guarantee contract provides for a tuition refund to participating AA degree graduates for credits that will not transfer to eight public and private colleges.  

The purpose of this handbook is to make the beginning of your stay in Iowa as easy and stress-free as possible. It includes general information about the USA and Iowa, how to get started, and how to live as a student in Iowa. We advise you to read all the information in the handbook before you leave for the USA, and keep it for reference during your stay.

Go to the International Student Handbook

Enrolling Online and Not Studying in U.S.

International students accessing online courses/programs from outside the U.S. with the intent to stay outside of the U.S. are not required to obtain a visa.

You may apply for part-time or full-time studies, with no visa required, if you will only be taking online courses from EICC and will not be entering the U.S. for studies. Follow procedures for application for admission. Tuition will be at the online rate. All courses will be taught in English and proficiency is expected.

Questions? Contact our Admissions office:



Daniel Dankert

Daniel Dankert

dmdankert@eicc.edu
563-288-6006

Student Center 120
Advises Manager of Advising; General Advising

Schedule an appointment with Daniel


Angelique Kimble

Angelique Kimble

akimble@eicc.edu
563-441-4065

Belmont Student Services
Advises ASL, Early Childhood, International Students, General Advising

Schedule an appointment with Angelique