F-1 Student Visa
The F-1 Student Visa allows international students to pursue full-time academic study at accredited U.S. colleges and universities. Students on an F-1 visa may enroll in English language training, associate or bachelor’s degree programs, or university transfer pathways. The F-1 visa is designed for students seeking a U.S. education that leads to a degree or certificate while gaining valuable academic and cultural experiences to prepare them for future success.
Funding Resources
Tuition exemption opportunity is available for Sonora, Mexico residents. Residents may apply for a limited number of spots to study at Arizona community colleges at the in-state tuition rate. Students wishing to apply for the program must meet certain academic standards set by the State of Sonora; a final selection of program beneficiaries are chosen by Sonora.
This program applies to all Arizona community colleges. Sonoran residents interested in applying should contact the Secretaría de Educación y Cultura del Estado de Sonora. You can also contact the Arizona-Mexico Commission at 602-542-1370 or [email protected] for more information.
Five $5,000 scholarships open to students applying to 2-year and 4-year HACU member schools. (he Maricopa Community Colleges are a member!).
If English is not your first language, you will need to take an English proficiency test as part of your application. Maricopa Community Colleges are offering up to 100 free LanguageCert test vouchers for prospective international students. To find out how to receive a voucher and take the test for free, contact the International Student Advisor at the Maricopa Community College you plan to attend.
The Rotary Foundation's Ambassadorial Scholarship sponsors several types of scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students interested in studying internationally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Maricopa Community Colleges does not have any dormitories; therefore, you must find housing in the area. We can assist you with lists of apartments near the college you plan to attend. Please ask the International Student Advisor you are working with for a housing list.
Community colleges offer an excellent starting point for your education. At Maricopa Community Colleges, you’ll benefit from smaller class sizes, individualized attention, and supportive faculty who are dedicated to helping you succeed. You can complete your general education and foundational courses—often at a lower cost—before transferring to a four-year college or university to finish your bachelor’s degree. (Although, we may even offer the bachelor’s degree you want!)
In addition to academic flexibility, community colleges provide career-focused programs, transfer partnerships with major universities, and personalized academic advising to help you plan your next steps. It’s a smart, affordable way to build confidence, strengthen your skills, and prepare for success at the university level and beyond.
Semester credit hours usually equal the number of hours your class meets each week. If you take a one credit course, that means your class meets only one hour per week for the length of the semester. Example:
- Introduction to Human Communication (COM 100) is a 3 credit course, which means the class meets for three hours each week for the length of the semester.
- A student could enroll in an Introduction to Human Communication class that meets for an hour each day on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; for an hour and a half on Tuesday and Thursday; or for three hours on Wednesday night.
- All three examples total three (3) hours in class each week for a 16 week semester, therefore, 3 semester credit hours. Most classes are three (3) semester credit hour courses, except for laboratory courses (a semester credit hour is also referred to as a credit or unit).
- Courses may vary in length, and begin and end throughout the year. For example, there are many classes that are now scheduled within a shorter 8-week period. This is extremely fast-paced and students must consider the workload when enrolling in an 8-week course because you are still required to complete the same number of hours in a shorter time period.
Students on F-1 student visas must maintain enrollment in at least 12 semester credit hours each semester. That is usually 4 or 5 classes. In compliance with the F-1 visa regulations, you must enroll in at least 9 credits in-person or in a hybrid format. To learn more about the class formats, go here.
Classes have between 20-35 students.
F-1 visa students are not permitted to work off campus. You may work on campus for up to 20 hours per week while classes are in session. However, please note that on-campus positions are limited and not guaranteed, so you should not rely on finding a job to fund your studies or living expenses.
It’s important to plan your finances carefully to ensure you have enough funds to cover tuition, housing, and personal costs throughout your program. If you are fortunate to secure an on-campus position, consider it a valuable opportunity to gain experience and supplement—rather than replace—your existing financial resources.
Courses 100 level or above generally transfer. However, you must keep three things in mind:
- Grades—Must be C or better Total Number of Credit
- Hours to be Transferred—60-64 semester credit hours is the usual maximum number for lower division credits (freshman, sophomore course work) that can be transferred to a four-year college or university
- Similarity of Courses—Courses taken at the community college must be similar to lower division courses at the four-year college or university
When in doubt, the student should bring the catalog from the four-year college or university he/she wishes to transfer to and ask the international student advisor how much of their specific four-year program from their preferred college's or university's catalog they can take. The student can also ask the four-year college or university what they can take at the community college level that will transfer.
At the present time, there is no financial aid for F-1 international students. There are a limited number of scholarships that are listed above that F-1 students may apply for if they are eligible.
At Maricopa Community Colleges, you’ll learn from highly qualified, accredited faculty who bring real-world experience directly into the classroom. Many of our professors hold master’s or doctoral degrees and are passionate about helping students build the skills needed to succeed in today’s ever-evolving workforce.
Our instructors stay current with industry trends and advancements, ensuring the curriculum remains relevant and practical. With small class sizes and approachable faculty, you’ll have daily opportunities to connect, ask questions, and receive personalized guidance from professionals in your field.
Absolutely! Each of the Maricopa Community Colleges offers free tutoring and academic support through Math and Writing Centers on campus. ESL tutoring is also available to help you strengthen your English language skills and build confidence in your coursework. Get more information here.
Maricopa Community Colleges offers a wide variety of occupational programs and certificates. Among them are Hotel Management, Restaurant Management, Equine Science, Culinary Arts, Interior Design, Motion Picture/Television Production, Nursing, Computer Information Systems, Architectural Technology/Computer Aided Drafting, Administration of Justice Studies, and International Business.
More programs are added as the demand increases. Check the website of the college you are interested in attending for a list of their occupational programs.
College International Student Staff
For additional questions, reach out to the international student staff at the college you wish to attend.