International Student Services

Thank you for considering Galveston College to pursue your education. Galveston College (GC) is a small community college on Galveston Island, which is located on the Texas Gulf Coast about 50 miles (80.5 km) southeast of Houston. GC serves approximately 2,300 students each long semester in credit programs, with approximately 15 international students per semester.   

Galveston College is a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-Approved School, which means it is certified by the US Department of Homeland Security to issue the SEVIS I-20 document to eligible students. International students are accepted to GC to pursue an associate degree only; GC is not approved by SEVP to accept international students pursuing a certificate program. 

You should apply for admission as an international student if you are not a United States citizen or a permanent resident of the United States and plan to enter the US specifically for the purpose of study.  

Non-immigrant students who have entered the US under a different visa type and would like to change their status, please contact [email protected]

If you are a student planning to attend Galveston College on a status different than an F-1 (DACA, Refugee, H -1, etc.), with no intent to change your visa type to an F-1, please visit Admissions to choose another Prospective Student type.

To apply for admissions to Galveston College you will need to complete the International Application Packet and submit it along with all required documents. 

INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PACKET

Application Deadlines:
Fall - July 14
Spring - October 30
Summer - No Admission Available

APPLY NOW

 
Additional Information for International Students

The dollar figures below include the approximate costs of one academic year of study (two semesters, 9 months) at Galveston College.  Tuition and fee costs are estimated for enrollment in 12 semester credit hours each semester.

 

FALL & SPRING 9 MONTH ESTIMATED COST
Foreign Tuition/Fees $6,176
Books/Supplies 2,046
Room/Board 10,696
Miscellaneous 2,680
Transportation 2,524
TOTAL $24,122

 

ADDITIONAL FEES
Application Fee $200
SEVIS Fee $350

International Students must be able to financially support themselves throughout their enrollment.  The Confirmation of Financial Support and Sponsor Statement forms are included in the application packet. 

The following is required sponsor documentation for financial support:

 

LETTER FROM THE BANK

Statement from an officer of the bank or other financial institution(s) with deposits, identifying the following details regarding the account:

  • Date account opened
  • Total amount deposited for the past year
  • Present balance

 

LETTER FROM EMPLOYER

Statement from your employer on business stationary showing:

  • Date and nature of employment
  • Salary paid
  • Whether the position is temporary or permanent

 

Students who are supporting their own financial obligations are required to submit a Letter from the Bank showing the balance of the full two-year cost of $29,200 (+additional family member cost that applies). Please review the requirements above for information needed on the Letter from the Bank. 

Students who are receiving an athletic scholarship are required to show proof of financial resources for all tuition/fees not covered by the scholarship.  A copy of the Scholarship Contract must be submitted along with the Confirmation of Financial Support. 

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is the only exam accepted to satisfy the English Language Proficiency requirements.  For information on where the TOEFL test is being offered in your area, exam dates, and score reporting, visit the TOEFL website.  

Our institution code for the TOEFL is 6255.  This code ensures that the scores will be sent directly to Galveston College.  Your test fee includes 4 free official TOEFL reports, so make sure to submit our code when registering for the TOEFL.  If you request the scores to be sent after testing, there will be additional charges.

Scores received directly from the TOEFL testing site are considered official or must be submitted with your Application Packet in a sealed envelope from the TOEFL testing center.  

Note: Downloaded PDF Scores Reports will not be accepted as official. 

 

Minimum Scores for Admission
Written Exam 500
Computerized Exam 173
Internet Exam 61

 


Exemptions

Students whose native language is English are exempt from the TOEFL exam. The following countries/regions have been determined by Galveston College to be exempt from the TOEFL exam:

Australia, the Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, the British Isles, Cameroon, English-speaking Canadian provinces, the Cayman Islands, the Fiji Island, Gambia, Ghana, Guyana, Jamaica, Kenya, Liberia, Malta, Nauru, New Zealand, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, the Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Tobago, Trinidad, United Kingdom, the Virgin Islands, the West Indies, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Official transcripts or certified transcripts are required to be submitted as well as an official evaluation from one of our approved agencies  for schooling outside the U.S. (See Evaluation of Transcripts)

Requirements For Transcripts Outside The U.S.

We require all an official transcript or certified copy from all colleges that you have attended.  If you have not earned an associate degree or higher, then an official high school transcript is also required.

Requirements For Transcripts within the U.S.

Have official transcripts sent directly from the institution.

We accept official transcripts via:

  • From an approved electronic transcript system such as TREx, Parchment, Escript/Credentials, National Clearinghouse, etc.
  • Hand Carried by the student in a Sealed Envelope from the institution
  • Mailed directly from the institution to:

Galveston College
Office of Admissions & Records
4015 Ave Q
Galveston, Texas 77550

All foreign transcripts must be evaluated by one of our approved agencies, we accept an evaluation from any member of NACES (www.naces.org).  The only waiver or exception for submitting an evaluation of transcript is for High School transcripts from Canada except for Quebec Province.

 

GC requires only a General Document-by-Document Evaluation, we are looking for the U.S. equivalency of your credential and verification of the authenticity of your documents.   Your evaluation must be sent directly to GC from the agency or in a sealed envelope from the agency if delivered with your application packet.

 

Recommended Foreign Credential Agencies

World Evaluation Services, Inc.

Global Credential Evaluations

For Countries that do not re-issue official transcripts, the original is required to be submitted in person.  Copies of originals will not be accepted unless they are certified copies.

Students enrolled in on-campus courses are required to carry health insurance for themselves and for their immediate families during their time of study at Galveston College and must provide proof of coverage before arriving on campus. (Though U.S. immigration law does not require F-1 visa students to carry health insurance, Galveston College’s requirement supersedes the F-1 regulations.)

To explore health insurance options, consider the following:

NOTE: For U.S. based insurance organizations, international students should identify themselves as “international” to view appropriate health coverage.

Minimum Standards for Insurance Coverage

Major Medical Coverage

$100,000

Medical Evacuation

$50,000

Repatriation of Remains

$25,000

Deductible per Accident/Illness

$500


Minimum Policy Rating

(must comply with one)

A.M. Best, rating of “A-” or above
Insurance Solvency International, Ltd., rating of “A-” or above
Standard and Poor’s, rating of “A-” or above
Weiss Research, Inc., rating of “B+” or above

Questions?

Please contact Admissions at [email protected].

Students are responsible for making their arrangements for any transportation from arrival and throughout their schooling at GC. Campus Housing is available for all students.  Visit the Campus Housing page for general information and the application process.  Please note that acceptance to GC does not guarantee acceptance to Campus Housing.