International Student Admissions

You must submit proof that you have completed high school or its foreign equivalent. Please submit one of the following:

• A copy of your high school diploma or equivalent educational credential showing your graduation date or exam date.
• If you are in your senior year of high school when applying, submit your transcripts of all years of high school and a letter from your high school official indicating your anticipated graduation date. A copy of your diploma must be submitted by the start of your first semester at BHCC.
• Transcript or diploma from an accredited college or university indicating completion of an associate or higher degree OR at least 30 earned college level credits.
  • NOTE: If you would like to demonstrate high school completion based on 30 earned college level credits at a university located outside of the United States or Canada, you must obtain a detailed course-by-course evaluation of your international transcripts utilizing a credential evaluation service.
• Official GED/HiSET certificate. Learn more about the General Educational Development (GED) test. Learn more about the High School Equivalency Test (HiSET).

If documents are not in English, a certified translation completed by a professional translator must be submitted as well. ALL translated documents must include the stamp/seal and signature of the official translator.

If English is not your first language, you must submit proof of at least an intermediate level of English proficiency.

We accept minimum test scores as follows:

• 2.5 on the TOEFL iBT (for exams taken before January 21, 2026, we accept a score of 38 on the 120-point scale)
• 5 on TOEFL Essentials
• 5 on the IELTS
• Level 3 on iTEP
• 38 on the PTE
• 2A on EIKEN
• B1 on Cambridge English Assessment
• 75 on the Duolingo English Test
• 40 on the Michigan English Test
• 60 on the LanguageCert Academic

Test scores are valid for two years.

The English proficiency requirement can also be satisfied by meeting ONE of the following conditions and providing the required documents listed:

• If you have previously attended another college/university with English as a primary language of instruction, and you have completed the course(s) in developmental reading or writing or college-level English composition/writing with a grade of C- or better, you can submit an unofficial transcript from your prior institution.
• If you have completed four years of high school in which English is the primary language of instruction submit a transcript and a letter from your high school official attesting to your language proficiency and confirming that English was the language of instruction.
• If you have completed at least three (3) A level courses in the British educational system with a grade of at least C (or equivalent); submit a transcript for A and O levels.
• You can take the Accuplacer English Proficiency Test offered by BHCC. You will be invited, by email, to sign up for the test after your application has been reviewed and all other required documents have been submitted.
• Successful completion of level 4 at the Intensive English Program at BHCC. Upload your certificate to the application.

We offer conditional admission to qualified applicants applying for an F-1 visa from abroad whose level of English proficiency is lower than the admission requirements. You must submit scores from one of the English proficiency tests listed above. Conditionally admitted students will attend the BHCC Language Institute Intensive English program before enrolling in their academic program.

Waiver: The proof of language proficiency is waived for English speaking applicants from Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Canada, Grenada, (British) Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, New Zealand, Nigeria, United Kingdom, St. Kitts & Nevis, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, and Zimbabwe.

Note: All accepted students are required to take a placement test prior to class registration unless they qualify for an exemption.

You must submit proof that you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your first year of study:

Applicants must submit financial documentation demonstrating $36,000 in available funding to cover the estimated cost of attendance. For each dependent (spouse, child) accompanying you, an additional $7,000 must be available. The estimated cost of attendance will be documented on your I-20.

Estimated Cost of Attendance for International Students

*Tuition and Fees cost is based on 15 credits per semester/30 credits per calendar year.

**All costs are estimates. Your actual cost of attendance is based on the number of enrolled credits, your living arrangements, the current cost of health insurance, and other factors. All costs are subject to change without notice.

Financial documents must clearly display:

• The name of the account holder
• The name of the institution where the account is held
• The balance of the account, and
• The date the statement or letter was issued. Financial documents cannot be older than (6) months from the date your application is submitted.

Acceptable Financial Documents:

• Checking or savings accounts
• Money market accounts
• Certificates/term deposits/fixed deposits
• Educational loans (a loan application is not sufficient)
• Benevolent accounts
• Current accounts
• Post office accounts
• Scholarship award letter
• Financial guarantee letter from a government, foundation, or home university

The following are examples of funding sources that are NOT acceptable:

• Investment portfolios (Examples: stocks, bonds, mutual funds)
• Retirement plans
• Cryptocurrency accounts
• Public provident funds
• Available lines of credit
• Wire transfers
• Deeds to real estate
• Leases with rental income
• Salary agreements or paystubs
• Material items (examples: livestock, land, jewelry, fur)
• Income tax forms
• Sponsorship letters issued for admissions purposes only

If you are supported by a sponsor, you must also submit an Affidavit of Support completed and signed by your sponsor. If you have multiple sponsors, each sponsor must complete the Affidavit of Support and sign it. Please access the Affidavit of Support linked below:

• Affidavit of Support Form

Applicants sponsored by a company must submit proof that the company representative signing the affidavit has the legal authorization to do so. Some examples of acceptable proof are articles of incorporation, tax documentation, or a bank-issued letter indicating the signatory on the company account.

Please submit a copy of your passport page that contains your biographical information. Your passport must not be expired.

To be eligible for admission, international F-1 applicants must be 17 years old by the start of the semester to which they are applying. 

Applicants who wish to request change of visa status to F-1 within the U.S. must also submit the following documents:

• Copy of current visa
• Copy of I-94 (record of admission to the U.S.) Please access your I-94 document here.
  • If you have requested a previous change of status: Submit a copy of your I-797A (approval notice).
• Applicants currently on J status ONLY: Please submit your DS-2019
• Applicants currently on F-2 status ONLY: Please submit your I-20

Please review the Change of Status Guide here to learn more about the process.