International Students | Northampton Community College

Welcome to Northampton Community College

Every year, international students from all over the world choose Northampton Community College. We welcome you to become part of our exciting global campus and explore our 100+ program options.

 

We are conveniently located in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania which is made up of the vibrant cities of Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton. It's close to excellent restaurants, live music, art galleries, local sports teams and beautiful parks and hiking trails. It's also conveniently situated between both New York City and Philadelphia making both less than two hours away!

 

If you need any assistance as you are getting started, our International Student Services is here to help from the time you apply until the time you leave.

 

Location and Hours

Bethlehem Campus
College Center 287
Monday through Friday: 8am - 5:00pm
610.861.4157
international@northampton.edu
In person and virtual appointments available, including limited hours at Pocono campus.

 

Fill Out Our Contact Form



International Student Payments

Use Flywire to make payments from outside the United States.

Use Cashnet and select “International Payments/Deposits” to make payments from inside the United States.

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How to Apply

Start by completing our online application.

Application completion deadlines: Applicant must complete all application requirements described on page 1 of the Certification of Finance before:

  • Fall Semester: July 1st
  • Spring Semester: December 1st
  • Summer II Semester: June 1st

Once you have completed the online application, International Student Services will contact you by email to request your passport and other documentation for review.

  • Download instructions for certification of finance and bank letter/statement
  • Upload your completed certification of finance and bank letter/statement.

Once you have completed the online application, students are required to submit a $300 non-refundable deposit before review and issuance of the I-20 document. Deposit may be paid online.

  • Use Flywire to make payments from outside the United States.
  • Use Cashnet and select “International Payments/Deposits” to make payments from inside the United States.

Deposit will be applied to your student bill on registration. The deposit is valid for one academic school year and may be applied to a future semester in cases of deferral. Deposit is non-refundable.

All F1 visa applicants need to complete placement exams or submit proof of English proficiency before receiving a Form I-20 and registering for courses. Applicants from non-English speaking countries who cannot complete placement exams or submit proof of English proficiency at this stage will receive a Form I-20 with English as a Second Language as their program of study. Applicants from countries where English is a native or primary language do not need to submit proof of English proficiency but will need to complete placement testing.

All non-native speakers of English are required to pass an English proficiency exam in order to enroll in English 101 and other academic classes.

Students who are not able to pass the required proficiency exams may be required to enroll in English as a Second Language (ESL) courses or other courses to support their language development and writing skills. Please review NCC's Placement Policy for details.

Students who successfully complete Level 4 of the ESL program can enroll in English 101 and other academic classes.

 

Proof of English Proficiency:

Students can be exempt from English placement exams and ESL courses if they submit proof of proficiency through other standardized exams:

A minimum score of 79 on the TOEFL iBT and a minimum score of 100 on the Duolingo English exam
or
A minimum score of 6.5 on the IELTS and a minimum score of 100 on the Duolingo English exam.

Once you have completed the online application, submitted your passport and certification of finance, and paid your deposit, International Student Services will review your materials and, with all materials accurate and complete, issue your I-20.

Visas & Arriving in the U.S.

  1. Once you have received your acceptance package and Form I-20 in the mail, please read the materials carefully and review all documents for accuracy.
  2. Pay the I-901 SEVIS fee. For detailed instructions, visit the Study in the States website.
  3. Apply for your student visa. Visit the U.S. Department of State website to review detailed instructions on applying for an F-1 Visa.
  4. Once you have received your visa, please review it for accuracy and notify International Student Services by sending an email to international@northampton.edu.

  1. Plan your arrival date so that you arrive in the United States after the “Earliest Admission Date” listed on your Form I-20.
  2. Keep your original immigration documents with you while traveling to enter the United States, including your passport, student visa, I-20 or DS-2019, NCC acceptance letter, and financial information showing proof of necessary funds to cover tuition and living expenses.
  3. Present your original immigration documents to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent upon your arrival. Having all immigration documentation and being prepared to enter the United States can help you to avoid a secondary inspection.
  4. If you are admitted to the United States, you will receive an admission stamp in your passport.

International Student Success at NCC

Hear from international students about the positive impact NCC has had on their education like starting as a dual enrollment student, experiencing the unique opportunities available through student clubs and organizations, and fully immersing themselves in campus life.

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Cost of Attendance

See the breakdown of costs associated with attending NCC as an International Student.

View Costs
international students in their classroom
English as a Second Language (ESL) Program

Learn or improve your English skills with our ESL program.

Learn More
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International Student FAQs

Review the most frequently asked questions from our International Students.

View FAQs

On-Campus Housing

NCC also has on-campus housing options and offers accommodations for nearly 600 students as well as FREE parking & laundry for residents. If you're interested in learning more about the application process and the opportunities available, contact our Residence Life team today!

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Begin Studying Online

Start your NCC degree online from your home country

NCC Online Learning
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Health Insurance

Students on an F-1 visa must enroll in our college-approved health care plan.

Get Details
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Transportation

Learn about transportation options for getting to NCC from your home country.

Learn More

Campus Life

NCC offers over 60 student clubs and organizations for students to get involved in including our vibrant International Student Organization. We also have a state-of-the-art fitness center, a health and wellness center, three on-campus dining facilities, a community garden, nine different sports teams and 24-hour campus security.

Program Search

At NCC, you’ve got options. With more than 120 programs to choose from, 100+ transfer agreements with colleges nationwide, and countless certifications to enhance your skillset — we offer an extensive range of options when it comes to pursuing your education or advancing your career.

students attending class

Next Steps

With 120+ high-quality programs at a highly affordable cost, you can build specialized skills to advance in your career path — fast. And with flexible class formats and convenient locations, it's never been easier to join us.