Frequently Asked Questions

An international student is a citizen of a foreign country who has permission from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service to study at educational institution in the United States.

International students can choose any occupational, associate degree or transfer program offered by Los Angeles Valley College. Click here for a list of all the majors that LAVC offers.

International students are required to provide a variety of information on their educational and financial qualifications including:

• International Student Information Sheet
• International Admissions Application
• A non-refundable $ 50 application processing fee paid online
• Confidential Financial Statement and original bank letter signed by a bank official
• Proof of English Proficiency:
  • Original academic transcripts showing six semesters of secondary (high school) English or above, or
  • Original TOEFL score of 45 IBT, 133 CBT or 450 PBT, or
  • IELTS score of 4
• Notarized copies of academic records
• Copies of the passport, visa and I-94
• 1 passport size photograph

Students currently attending another college or university in the United States must also submit:

• A copy of the I-20 issued by their current institution
• A Transfer Form filled out by the International Student Advisor at their current institution
• Official Transcripts from ALL U.S. schools attended.

Once they have compiled this information they can mail it to:

Los Angeles Valley College
ATTN: International Students Program
5800 Fulton Avenue
Valley Glen, CA 91401-4069

Students whose primary language is not English are required to take the Test of English As A Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test. Students who have completed six semesters of secondary (high school) English or above are except from testing.

In order to be admitted, students must show the following available funds.

No. Los Angeles Valley College does not offer an Intensive English Program and students cannot be admitted to the college solely for the purpose of English language training.

No. International Students are required to document that they have the available funds to support themselves in the United States.

No. Students are required to secure their own off-campus housing.

International students are required to enroll in and complete 12 units per semester in order to maintain their F-1 student status.

No. International students are prohibited from working. That is the reason international students are required to document their financial status before being admitted.

No. LAVC does not offer English training. International students applying to LAVC are required to be English proficient. English proficiency is defined as:

• Original academic transcripts showing six semesters of secondary (high school) English or above, or
• Original TOEFL score of 45 IBT, 133 CBT or 450 PBT, or
• IELTS score of 4

Students from English speaking countries are not required to take the TOEFL or IELTS, however, they are required to provide official transcripts with grades in English.

Yes, the application deadlines are:

Out-Of-Country Applicants
Spring: November 1
Fall: June 1

Change-of-Status Applicants
Spring: November 1
Fall: June 1

In-Country Transfer Applicants
Spring: November 30
Fall: June 30

Yes. B-1/B-2 holders can be issued an I-20; however, they need to go through the change of status process and be approved by the USCIS before they can attend. People holding other type of visa J-1/H-1 must also go through the change of status process to become International Students.

Yes. International Students are required to enrolled in 12 units every semester in order to maintain status.

The I-20 is a Certificate of Eligibility that enables students to go to a consulate or embassy in their home country and apply for an F-1 visa or to apply for Change-of-Status in the United States. The I-20 is issued after the student is admitted.