International Student Services

Welcome, Bienvenue, Bienvenidos, Bem vindo!

Thank you for your interest in attending St. Philip's College, a college that provides educational opportunities in over one hundred fifty programs. International students are welcome at the college because such students bring with them a variety of cultures and languages that ultimately enrich the campus community, and help prepare all students for the challenges of an increasingly interdependent world.

International Student Services is in partnership with the West African Management Services (WAMS) and the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission (SACM). We proudly host students from AfricaAsia, the CaribbeanCentral AmericaEuropeSouth America, and the Middle East.

Our staff in the International Student Services Office is committed to helping you achieve your educational goals by providing for the special needs of international students, ensuring compliance with the laws and regulations of the Department of Homeland Security, and promoting internationalization through our services and programs.

Services Provided

International Student Services (ISS) provides many resources for all visa holders. We offer individual advising and services in the following areas:

  • Immigration matters, such as obtaining F-1 student visas, maintaining full-time enrollment, transferring administration of your SEVIS I-20 record between schools, and traveling outside of the United States
  • Employment restrictions and options and obtaining work authorization
  • Information about medical insurance coverage
  • Adjustment to St. Philip's College and to life in San Antonio and the United States
  • Providing letters for verification of your F-1 status for various purposes, such as obtaining a Texas driver's license or identification card
  • Academic Advising available to assist ELL and international students with course and program planning
International Admission Requirements

How to Apply:

All international student applicants must complete the Apply Texas application and one of the international student applications below. 

Note:
Students completing an English Language or ESL Program should apply as new students on the Apply Texas application.

Listed below are 4 categories of international student admission, you should select the category that applies to you.

  1. New Student – The I-20 application is for individuals who are applying for the F-1 visa from outside of the U.S. You must submit items 2-10 on the I-20 application checklist.
  2. Transfer Students (current F - 1 visa holders) – The I-20 application is also used for students interested in transferring from a U.S. college or university. You must submit items 2-11 on the I-20 application checklist.
  3. Concurrent/Transient Students (F - 1 visa holders) – This application is for students who are currently attending another U.S. college or university and would like to take classes at St. Philip's College during the regular or summer semester. You must submit items 1-7 on the application checklist.
  4. Other Visas – This application is for individuals who hold a visa other than F-1. You must submit items 1-8 on the application checklist.

Application packets should be mailed to:

St. Philip's College
Attention: International Student Services, Box 333
1801 Martin Luther King Dr.
San Antonio, TX 78203

When all requirements have been met, your international student admission application will be evaluated for admission and if accepted, the Form I-20 and letter of acceptance will be issued by St. Philip's College.

Application Fee

To pay the $100.00 (non-refundable) application fee, go to: 

Submit the International Application Fee

Application Deadlines

New International Students (students applying from outside of the U.S.):

  • Fall semester (August): May 15
  • Spring semester (January): October 15

Transfer International Students (students currently in the U.S. attending another college/university):

  • Fall semester (August): July 1
  • Spring semester (January): November 1
Foreign Transcripts

Foreign Transcript Evaluation

All foreign transcripts must be evaluated and/or translated by a U.S. company. The college will only accept evaluations from NACES members.

Foreign Transcript Evaluation and Translation Services

Evaluation Translation Company List

Note: There is no guarantee transfer credit can or will be given.  All evaluations are subject to review and approval by the college.

Transcript evaluations should be mailed to:   

St. Philip's College
Attention: International Student Services, Box 333
1801 Martin Luther King Dr.
San Antonio, TX 78203

English Language Requirements

ATTENTION: International students (F1 and F2 visa holders) are not eligible to enroll in the St. Philip's College English Language Learning (ELL) program at this time.;

All prospective international students are expected to show evidence of communication and proficiency in English. To meet the English proficiency requirement, applicants have three options:

Option 1:
Enroll in the Intensive English Program through the ELS Language Center and upon the successful completion of level 112; apply for admission to St. Philip’s College.

Option 2:
Students who are not proficient in English, but are otherwise qualified for F-1 admission, are eligible for Conditional Admission.

For Conditional Admission, students are required to enroll in the Intensive English Program through the ELS Language Center and after successfully completing level 112, they are eligible for full admission to St. Philip’s College.

Option 3:
Take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or IELTS exam. Minimum accepted passing scores:

  • Internet-based Test (iBT): 61
  • IELTS: 5.5 - with high scores on the writing and reading sections of the exam
Helpful Links

Helpful Links

U.S. Department of Homeland Security:

US Department of State:

Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)

Student Process Steps: How to Navigate the U.S. Immigration System

I-94-Arrival/Departure Form

City of San Antonio

Housing & Transportation

Housing & Transportation

Housing Information:
St. Philip’s College does not have dormitories, however, we are easily accessible from all parts of San Antonio and its surrounding areas, making affordable housing easy to locate not far from the college.

Villa Maria Residence – female students can reside at Villa Maria which is located 12 minutes from the college. The residence for young women is run by Catholic nuns, who happily receive young women from different countries, cultures, and religions, with no distinction of race or creed.

The services provided at Villa Maria include: 
Single furnished air-conditioned rooms with semi-private bathrooms, daily meals, wireless internet, laundry facility, and private parking. Villa Maria is located at 719 Augusta St., San Antonio, Texas 78215; Telephone (210) 223-8163.

Tobin Lofts – Tobin Lofts at San Antonio College are available to all Alamo College students. They are fully furnished one-, two- and four-bedroom units for students who attend any institution of higher education in San Antonio.

The services provided at Tobin Lofts include: All bills are included in the price (electricity, cable, internet & water.) a resort-style pool, game room, Wi-Fi access, media room, café, study rooms, business center, fitness club, business center, washer/dryers, 24-hour on-call maintenance and residence life programming. Tobin Lofts will also house community assistants or “CAs” who will assist students as needed.

For more information or to apply online, visit www.livetobinlofts.com or call 888-696-3145. The temporary leasing office is located at 309 W. Dewey, Building 19.

Disclaimer

Please note the Alamo Colleges has not inspected off-campus housing accommodations or verified off-campus housing information and does not assume any liability in connection with these listings. The information is provided solely for the convenience of students interested in finding housing in the San Antonio area and does not include all off-campus housing options.

Transportation Information

VIA Metropolitan Transit – Upon completion of registration and tuition payment, students will receive a semester bus pass issued by the Business Office located in the Welcome Center (WEC).

  • The Alamo Colleges does not provide health insurance; therefore, all international students are highly encouraged to purchase health insurance for sickness and/or accident while enrolled at the Alamo Colleges.

    The cost of healthcare in the United States is extremely high. Health insurance can help protect international students and their dependents from the high cost.

    Listed below is a list of companies you can purchase your health insurance from; however, you can select different insurance as long as it provides coverage listed on the F-1 Health Insurance requirements.

  • International students are assessed at the current Non-Resident tuition and general fee rates, plus the Student Activity Fee. Tuition and fees are subject to change by the Texas State Legislature and the Alamo Colleges Board of Trustees.

    Estimated Minimum Student Expenses Per Year:

    • Tuition & Fees: $10,872.00
    • Living Expenses: $11,412.00
    • Books/Supplies: $2,074.00
    • Total: $24,358.00
  • Obtaining a Visa

    The first step for a prospective nonimmigrant student is to be accepted for enrollment by an established school that is SEVP certified. When all requirements are fulfilled, your application will be evaluated for official admission and if accepted, the Form I-20 and letter of acceptance will be issued by St. Philip's College.  You submit the I-20 and all other supporting documents to the U.S. Consulate or Embassy in your home country in order to apply for the F-1 Student visa. Because each student’s personal and academic circumstances are different, you may be asked different interview questions and/or be required to submit additional documentation. 

    Additional Documentation Required:

    • Form I-20 - You will need to submit the St. Philip's College SEVIS  Form I-20.   The I-20 must be signed by you and the St. Philip's College PDSO. 
    • Online Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application, Form DS-160.
    • A passport that is valid for travel to the United States and with a validity date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the United States. 
    • One (1) 2x2 photograph.
    • MRV fee receipt to show payment of the visa application fee
    • I-901 fee receipt.

    Note: receipt of the I-20 does not guarantee the issuance of student visa.

Contact Information

Meredith Bess, PDSO
mbess@alamo.edu
210-486-2147
MLK Welcome Center (WEC) 106J
Irma Lopez, DSO
Isanchez17@alamo.edu
210-486-2456
MLK Welcome Center (WEC) Cubicle 17