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International Students
Frequently Asked Questions
CCD considers “international students” to be F1 visa holders. All other visa holders do not need to go through the international office.
Yes. See the chart below:
| Deadlines for: | New I-20 to Enter U.S. | Transfer-In I-20 from Another U.S. School |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | November 1st | January 1st |
| Summer | March 1st | May 1st |
| Fall | June 1st | August 1st |
As an international student, you will need to take a minimum of 12 credits for the fall and spring semesters (about four classes). Taking classes in the summer semester is optional unless you are starting at CCD for the summer. If your first semester is summer you will need to take 12 credit hours.
The international student hold will always remain on your account for the entire duration of your time at CCD and after being admitted is pushed back each semester to allow for registration.
CCD campus support services such as tutoring, accessibility, and academic advising are available to international students. International programming is available through the international office. Our staff assists with international student support and is available for individual meetings by appointment. Feel free to reach out to us at 303.352.6565 or International@ccd.edu to address any issues or concerns.
CCD gives you three (3) years or 36 months to complete an associate degree. If you are completing at least 12 credits for each of the required semesters, fall and spring, you should finish a 60-credit degree within two-and-a-half (2.5) years.
If your I-20 is not at CCD, you are considered a visiting F1 student. Visiting students have different regulations to follow at CCD. If you are planning on visiting CCD during the fall, spring or summer semesters, you will need to provide a parent letter/visiting letter from your home institution on or before the transfer student deadline.
Transfer Deadlines:
Summer - May 1st
Fall - August 1st
Spring - January 1st
During the fall and spring semesters, there are short breaks during the semester where classes will not be held. Students have the opportunity to travel. Please check
- that your Visa and Passport are valid and have not expired,
- that the I-20 states you are under a “Continued Attendance” status, and
- that the I-20 has been signed and verified by your P/DSO within the last six (6) months.
When you are traveling, please make sure that all of your documentation is on your person before you board the airplane heading back into the U.S.
You will want to reach out to the international student coordinator or email international@ccd.edu to request a replacement or re-signed I20. Processing time for ISSS is approximately three to five (3-5) business days, so if you are traveling soon, you need to talk to the ISSS Office at LEAST seven (7) business days before you leave.
International students are able to drive in Colorado, but only if they have a valid U.S. driver’s license. International students will need to wait until AFTER their DSO reports them as active to SEVIS during their first semester before they can go to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to get tested.
You will need to provide your continued attendance I-20, your VISA, Passport, and I-94.
You can find more information on how to get a driver’s license here.
F1 students are allowed to work, but only on campus on a part-time basis (maximum of 20 hours per week). They can only work in an hourly position, not work-study. Off-campus employment is only allowed with prior authorization from either ISSS or USCIS.
CCD does allow Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Curricular Practical Training (CPT), but only on a case-by-case basis.
CPT is only allowed at CCD if there is a requirement for an internship in your degree plan. If your program of study does not require an internship to graduate, you will not be allowed to apply for CPT.
OPT is a right that international students are allowed to apply for during the last semester of their program. OPT allows students to work off-campus within their field of study for ONE year without the need to take classes. You will need to talk to your DSO for more information regarding OPT.