Welcome to the Alamo Colleges!
We are pleased you are considering one of the Alamo Colleges as your choice for higher education. We are an educational institution in San Antonio, Texas that offers an excellent learning environment that helps students acquire the knowledge and skills needed in today's world. The Alamo Colleges host students from many regions of the world. These students represent countries such as Mexico, South Korea, Vietnam, India, Colombia, Japan, Thailand, Morocco, Brazil, Mongolia, and Nepal.
The five colleges that comprise the Alamo Colleges, Northeast Lakeview College, Northwest Vista College, Palo Alto College, St. Philip's College, and San Antonio College collectively offer over 325 programs of study. The Colleges offer associate degrees, certificates and licensures in occupational programs that prepare students for jobs. They also offer freshman- and sophomore-level courses that transfer to four-year colleges and universities and lead to Associate of Arts and Associate of Science.
We invite you to explore each of our five colleges' websites to learn more about what the Alamo Colleges can offer you. The information we provide on this International Student section is for any student who is not a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or refugee.
Other General Information
All persons seeking admission holding non-permanent visas will be processed as International Students. Applicants for F-1 student visas, or F-1 visa students transferring from a high school, college, or university in the United States, must submit in person or by mail a completed International Student Application Form available online.
All International Students must follow the guidelines for Texas Success Initiative (TSI) as determined by Texas State law. International Student applicants not completing college-level courses at a United States college or university are required to take the Accuplacer, ASSET, or THEA examinations before the start of the first semester of enrollment. A student who fails any one (1) of three (3) areas (reading, math, or writing) may enroll in some program courses but may also be required to enroll in developmental courses as needed.
How to Apply as a New International Student Seeking an F1 visa
Step 1: International Student Application
- Download and print application. Your application must be completed, signed and returned along with all required/requested information.
- Mail all original documents to : International Programs, Alamo Colleges, 201 W. Sheridan, San Antonio, Texas, 78204-1429, USA
Step 2: Apply to Northwest Vista College
Step 3: Financial Documentation
- Complete the financial information in the International Student Application
- Provide a letter from your bank stating you have the equivalent of $20,000.00 U.S. dollars.
- The letter should be recent, not more than 60 days old.
- Make sure to complete on the International Student Application, page 8, the Financial Resource Requirements.
- If you are bringing your spouse or children, you will be required to prove an additional $5,000.00 per dependent.
- Make sure to complete on the International Student Application, page 7, Dependent Form.
- A copy of dependent’s Passport will also be required.
- If your Financial Sponsor is a U.S. Citizen or a Legal Permanent Resident, you must also complete the USCIS form, I-134 at www.uscis.gov.
Step 4: Official Academic Records (high school and/or college)
- All students will need to submit a transcript of the last school attended.
- If the highs school or college is not a U.S. school then you will need to have your transcript translated and evaluated.
- Translation and Evaluation companies may be found at http://www.naces.org/members.htm
- Northwest Vista College will only accept translated and evaluated copies from the above mentioned web site.
- All transcripts received must be in their original envelope and sealed, no open documents will be accepted.
Step 5: English Proficiency – TOEFL or IELTS Score
- TOEFL exam score.
- 500 Paper-Based Test
- 173 Computer-Based Test
- 61 Internet-Based Testing
- IELTS exam score.
- Make sure you have the test company send an official copy of your exam results. An official copy is a copy sealed in an envelope.
Step 6: Photo
- Send a Passport size photo with your International Student Application
Step 7: Statement of Understanding
- Sign and date the Statement of Understanding on your International Student Application, page 11.
Step 8: Processing Fee
- $100.00 U.S. Dollars (Non-Refundable)
- Send a Cashier Check or Money Order with your application
Note: All documents must be received before by the posted deadline. Incomplete and late applications will not be considered. Application deadline for new students with no current F1 visa is: Fall semester deadline is June 1 and Spring semester deadline is October 1, NVC does not admit international students for the summer semester.
How to Apply as a Transfer International Student with an active F1 visa
Step 1: International Student Application
Download and print application. Your application must be completed, signed and returned along with all required/requested information.
- Mail all original documents to : International Programs, Alamo Colleges, 201 W. Sheridan, San Antonio, Texas, 78204-1429, USA
Step 2: Apply to Northwest Vista College
Step 3: Financial Documentation
- Complete the financial information in the International Student Application
- Provide a letter from your bank stating you have the equivalent of $20,000.00 U.S. dollars.
- The letter should be recent, not more than 60 days old.
- Make sure to complete on the International Student Application, page 8, the Financial Resource Requirements.
- If you are bringing your spouse or children, you will be required to prove an additional $5,000.00 per dependent.
- Make sure to complete on the International Student Application, page 7, Dependent Form.
- A copy of dependent’s Passport will also be required.
- If your Financial Sponsor is a U.S. Citizen or a Legal Permanent Resident, you must also complete the USCIS form, I-134 at www.uscis.gov.
Step 4: Official Academic Records (high school and/or college)
All students will need to submit a transcript of the last school attended.
If the highs school or college is not a U.S. school then you will need to have your transcript translated and evaluated.
- Translation and Evaluation companies may be found at http://www.naces.org/members.htm
- Northwest Vista College will only accept translated and evaluated copies from the above mentioned web site.
- All transcripts received must be in their original envelope and sealed, no open documents will be accepted.
Step 5: English Proficiency – TOEFL or IELTS Score
- Official transcripts from previous college will be required to see if any further testing is needed.
- TOEFL exam score.
- TOEFL exam score.
- 500 Paper-Based Test
- 173 Computer-Based Test
- 61 Internet-Based Testing
- IELTS exam score.
- Make sure you have the test company send an official copy of your exam results. An official copy is a copy sealed in an envelope.
Step 6: Photo
- Send a Passport size photo with your International Student Application
Step 7: Statement of Understanding
- Sign and date the Statement of Understanding on your International Student Application, page 11.
Step 8: Processing Fee
- $100.00 U.S. Dollars (Non-Refundable)
- Send a Cashier Check or Money Order with your application
Step 9: Current Immigration Documents
- A copy of Passport
- A copy of Visa
- Current copy of I-20
- A copy of I-94
Note: All documents must be received before the posted deadline. Incomplete and/or late applications will not be considered. Application deadline for a transfer student with a current F1 visa is: Fall semester deadline is August 1 and Spring semester deadline is December 10. NVC does not admit international students for the summer semester.
How to Apply as a Concurrent or Transient International Student with an active F1 visa
Step 1: Apply to Northwest Vista College
Apply to Northwest Vista College online at www.applytexas.org
- Write down your www.applytexas.org application ID on your International Student Application
- Click here for instructions on how to apply online.
Step 2: Official Academic Records (college)
All students will need to submit a transcript of the last school attended.
- Submit an official copy of your college transcripts.
- If the highs school or college is not a U.S. school then you will need to have your transcript translated and evaluated.
- Translation and Evaluation companies may be found at http://www.naces.org/members.htm
- Northwest Vista College will only accept translated and evaluated copies from the above mentioned web site.
- All transcripts received must be in their original envelope and sealed, no open documents will be accepted.
Step 3: Parent Letter and other immigration documents
- Concurrent and/or Transient students must provide a letter from their International student office stating it is okay for him/her to attend another college. The letter must state what classes are permitted to take at the secondary school.
- A copy of Passport
- A copy of Visa
- A copy of I-94
- A current copy of I-20
How to Apply as a Potential Student on a Different Non-Immigrant Visa Type
Generally, most non-immigrant visa types may attend Northwest Vista College, some restrictions may apply.
Test your English Skills
TOEFL exam Web site: www.ets.org
IELTS exam Web site: www.ielts.org
Foreign High School and/or College/University Transcripts
All foreign high school and/or college/university transcripts must be translated and evaluated from a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member that includes translation, interpretation, and evaluation of the transcript. www.naces.org
Other USCIS Immigration Information and Advising
Apply for a change in visa status to F1, complete the International student admissions as listed above and complete the USCIS form I-539 at www.uscis.gov.
Apply for reinstatement of you F1 student visa, complete the USCIS form I-539 at www.uscis.gov.
International Students (F1 visa) applying for Optional Practical Training, complete the USCIS form I-765 at www.uscis.gov.
International Students (F1 visa) applying for Severe Economic Hardship employment, complete the USCIS form I-765 at www.uscis.gov.
Pay your F1 visa SEVIS I-901 fee at www.fmjfee.com/i901fee.