International Student Admission Steps
International students are those who are attending college in the US on an F-1 visa. International students are a very important part of the growing college community.
Not an International Student?
If you are not an international student, then you may need to follow different steps. Find out what type of student you are and get the correct steps for you!
Apply to American River College
Application Deadlines
We will begin accepting applications on February 15th, 2025 for Fall 2025 Admissions.
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Deadline for Initial Students (applicants outside of the US): May 1st, 2025
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Deadline for Transfer Students (applicants in the US with valid F-1 status): June 1st, 2025
Submit CCCApply Application
Create an OpenCCC account using a personal email (or log in if you already have an account) and fill out the online application for American River College.
- You do not need a social security number (SSN) to complete the application. If you do not have an SSN, you should choose to opt out of verification with ID.me.
- If you submit your application without a social security number (SSN), work authorization SSN, or individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN), then you need to contact the International Student Program to process your application and send you your student ID number.
- *Receiving a student ID number does not guarantee admission into the International Student Program.
After you submit this application, save or print your confirmation page. You will need a copy of the confirmation page to submit with your international student application packet.
High School Seniors
If your high school completion date is before June and you are applying for the summer or fall semester, then enter the information on your application as if you have already graduated. Please note the “as of” dates outlined throughout the application.
Submit Additional Required Documents
ARC has SEVP certification, which allows it to issue Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status Form I-20. International students can use Form I-20 to apply for an F-1 visa to enter the US.
- International students must also be admitted into the International Student Program in order to study at American River College.
- Form I-20s will only be issued to students who have been accepted into the ARC International Student Program.
Application Deadlines
Submit all required documents together by the following deadlines. We will not review incomplete applications.
Applicants Outside of the US (Applicants Who Will Need to Apply for F-1 Visa)
- Fall semester: May 1
- Spring semester: November 1
Transfer Applicants in the US (Applicants in the US With a Valid F-1 Status)
- Fall semester: June 1
- Spring semester: November 15
Application Documents
The following documents are required for American River College to issue Form I-20. Email your completed packet to international@arc.losrios.edu. Call (916) 484-8169 if you have questions.
All non-English documents must be translated into English by a certified translator.
- Copy of the confirmation page from your CCCApply Application to American River College (see step 1)
- International Student Application Packet, with required documentation attached
- Evidence of English proficiency via any of the following:
- An official TOEFL test result of 61(IBT) and 6.5 (Essentials), ARC Institution Code 4004
- IELTS test result of 6.0 minimum
- Transfer students only: US college official transcripts showing proof of successful completion with a letter grade of a college-level English writing course or placing into ESL 315 or higher using guided self-placement (please email international@arc.losrios.edu for the link).
- Proof of financial support:
- Complete American River College Affidavit of Financial Support form (page 5 of the application packet).
- Include an official bank letter showing funds equivalent to or greater than $43,710 USD (plus an additional $6,000 USD for each additional dependent). The letter must be in English and dated within three months of the application.
- Proof of educational history:
- Copy of high school diploma or a high school transcript showing graduation
- Copy of college transcript(s) if applicable
- $50.00 USD non-refundable application fee payable to American River College
- Copy of passport photo page
- Students under age 18 must provide an official power of attorney from their home country stating guardianship
Transfer-In F-1 Students
Transfer-in F-1 students who have been attending school in the US must submit these additional documents:
- Copy of your visa
- Copy of your current I-20
- College transcript from your current school showing a minimum 2.0 GPA
Pre-Enrollment Requirements After Being Accepted to ARC
- Evidence of U.S. based health insurance. You can purchase health insurance through JCB Insurance Solutions.
- Certification of negative tuberculosis skin test.
Set Up eServices and Los Rios Gmail
eServices is ARC's online student portal where students manage their information, records, classes, and more.
After your application is processed, you will receive an official acceptance letter from the International Student Program that contains your Los Rios student ID number (also known as a "W" number or "wID"). This is a seven-digit number with a preceding "W"; for example, W0000001.
You will use your Los Rios ID and password to log in to multiple services, including Canvas, eServices, Los Rios Gmail, and instructional lab computers.
Get Technology Help
Apply for an F-1 Visa
After you receive your Form I-20 from American River College, apply for an F-1 visa.
- Pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee.
- Schedule an interview appointment with the US Embassy or Consulate. Visit the US Embassy website to find a US Embassy or Consulate near you.
- Bring your Form I-20, Letter of Acceptance from American River College, and I-901 receipt to your interview with the US Embassy or Consulate, along with any other documents they request.
You can enter the United States with your I-20 and F-1 visa up to 30 days prior to the program start date listed on your I-20. Please see the welcome packet sent with your admissions letter for more information on applying for a visa and arriving in the US.
Proceed to Enrollment Steps
As soon as you have completed these steps and received official admission confirmation, you may proceed to the International Student Enrollment Steps to learn how to enroll in your classes.
Email Steps
Get Help
Need help enrolling in your classes? Contact Admissions Office or the Student Support Center.
Students must use a personal email, not a high school email, to complete their application. Free email accounts are available from many sources:
Note: While all of the providers listed above have millions of users and are widely trusted to be reliable and secure, OpenCCC and the CCC Chancellor's Office do not endorse any particular email providers, and will have no liability should any issues arise with a particular email provider.
You only need to submit one CCCApply application to take classes at any college in the Los Rios district – don't spend unnecessary time submitting separate applications for each college.
A student ID number is automatically issued after completing the American River College application. However, international students must also be admitted into the International Student Program before they can study at American River College.
Being issued a student ID number is not a guarantee of admission into the International Student Program.
Students who have created a CCCApply account must log in using the account they created; they should not create a new account. Students who forgot their username/password can use the "Forgot" icon on the CCCApply site.
Students who use this function and still cannot find their username/password can call the OpenCCC helpline. If they don’t have their username or password and aren’t able to answer security questions to retrieve that information, then the student will have to contact CCCApply directly.
American River College does not have access to CCCApply account information.
International students must meet certain requirements to maintain their F-1 status. See our International Students Office for more information.