International Students Get Started

It is important to be admitted as soon as possible for the following reasons, especially if you do not already have a valid F-1 student visa.

1. Program Availability: for the best choice of degree programs, apply by January 1 for Fall semester and by May 1 for Spring semester.

2. Attendance at Program Advising and Registration (A&R) Sessions: many programs offer information sessions which allow you to meet with faculty and academic advisors to help with course selection. Invitations are sent beginning in March for Fall semester and October for Spring semester.

3. Class Availability: during open (public) degree-credit enrollment, community members can begin to enroll in classes, even if they have not been admitted to a degree program. As a result, classes fill quickly, so admission after this time may result in limited course options.

4. Visa Timelines: be aware of the standard visa processing timelines which may only begin after being admitted and issued an I-20. 

• Applying Abroad - Visa interview appointments must often be scheduled 2-3 months in advance.
• Changing Visa Status (in US) - This is only possible in limited cases and may take 6-12+ months to process. It is strongly encouraged to schedule a visa advising appointment to determine if this is an option.
• Transferring F-1 Visa Status - I-20 transfer must be initiated while in valid F-1 status.

Spring Deadline

November 15 (Spring semester begins January)

Summer Deadline

April 15 (Now available to both Summer Term participants and select program students!)

Fall Deadline

July 15 (Fall semester begins August/September)

If you obtained your educational credential outside the U.S., you must submit:

• Credential Evaluation (see recommended services listed below) - A credential evaluation is different from a translation because it shows how the foreign educational system aligns with the U.S. educational system and converts grades into the U.S. equivalence.

  • A general credential evaluation with grade point average meets the minimum requirement for admission

  • A detailed course-by-course credential evaluation is recommended when requesting credit for prior learning, through which courses from other institutions may be counted towards a Madison College program

• Official transcripts showing high school/secondary school completion or higher education

If you earned a degree (high school or higher) from the U.S., you must submit:

• Official transcripts showing degree completion

Recommended Services for Credential Evaluation

Madison College recommends evaluations from the following services: 

One Earth International Credential Evaluations
Madison, Wisconsin

Educational Credentials Evaluators (ECE)
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Madison College will also accept evaluations by any National Association of Credit Evaluation Services (NACES) member or Associate of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (NICE) endorsed member. Madison College has the right to refuse credential evaluations from alternative services for Admission and/or Credit for Prior Learning. Madison College cannot guarantee that a credential and prior coursework accepted by Madison College will be accepted by other institutions as well.   

Submit one of the following official English Language test score reports, completed within the last two years.

Save money by taking the Madison College *Accuplacer test abroad or at a Madison College testing center.

• Accuplacer (Next Generation): 221 Writing & Reading
• TOEFL iBT: 50
• IELTS: Band 5
• Duolingo: 80
• TOEIC: 485
• EIKEN: 2A
• GTEC 951
• PTE: 36
• E3PT: 42

Note:
*Accuplacer test can be used in place of any of the above English Language tests and is also required to enroll in most classes. To request to take the Accuplacer test remotely from abroad, email intladmission@madisoncollege.edu.

The Madison College English Language Learner (ELL/ESL) classes are not available to non-residents. These classes are not structured for the purposes of intensive English language development.

U.S. federal visa regulations regarding international students require applicants to demonstrate sufficient proof of financial support prior to the issuance of an I-20 form by Madison College. 

Your financial documentation must show your ability to pay the estimated cost of attending Madison College full time for one academic year as well as the cost of living for 12 months. This amount must be available to you for each year of study at Madison College.

Estimated Cost for 2020-2021

Technical Associate and Diploma Programs: $21,277
Tuition and Fees: $5,570 = $232/credit

Liberal Arts Transfer Programs: $23,115
Tuition and Fees: $7,408 = $309/credit

Breakdown of Expenses

Living expenses: $15,707 = $1,309/month

• Housing and Meals: $11,088
• Personal: $2,048
• Books and Supplies: $300
• Health Insurance: $2,367 - Note: a specific health insurance plan is required. Do NOT purchase alternative plan without reviewing the strict waiver request process

If a child or spouse will be accompanying you, please also add in the dependent expenses (PDF)

Acceptable Financial Support Documents

• Account statement from your personal bank account(s) or a sponsor’s bank account(s).  The statement must:
  • Show the bank logo with contact information
  • Be less than one year old
  • Include your name - If your name is not listed, your sponsor must also submit the Affidavit of Financial Support (PDF)
  • Show the available balance
• A Local Host Statement of Commitment (PDF) indicates you will live with a host who will be providing housing and meals.
  Note: Demonstrating strong ties to your home country, and having a non-immigrant intent, are a critical aspect of visa eligibility determination. If you have a local host listed as a financial sponsor on your I-20, it is recommended you prepare to address concerns regarding these aspects. 
• Grant, scholarship, and/or loan documentation. 

Things to keep in mind when budgeting:

• An “academic year” consists of the Fall and Spring semesters only. If you plan to enroll for the Summer term, additional tuition and course supplies costs should be budgeted.
• “Full-time” means 12 credits taken per semester, which is typically 3 to 5 classes. Each class may have 1 to 5 credits, depending on the number of hours a class meets each week. If you plan to take more than 12 credits each semester, additional costs should be budgeted.

Verification of Identity must include a copy of the identity and expiration page(s) of your passport. 

• If you are already in the U.S., please include a copy of your most recent visa stamp and I-94 arrival record (if applicable)
• If you have changed visa status in the U.S., please provide a copy of your approval notice
• If you are on an F-1 visa, please include a copy of your most recent I-20
• If you are on a J-1 visa, please include a copy of your most recent DS-2019

If you attended high school and/or college outside the United States, you must submit both of the following to fulfill the education completion admissions requirements:

1. Official, professional credential evaluation: A credential evaluation is different from a translation because it demonstrates how the foreign educational system aligns with the U.S. educational system and converts grades into the U.S. equivalence.
   • An official, professional general credential evaluation with GPA meets the minimum requirement for admission completion.
   • An official, professional course-by-course credential evaluation is required when requesting credit for prior learning, through which courses from other institutions may be counted towards a Madison College program.
2. Official transcripts that demonstrate the Education Completion requirement for the program you are applying to. Requirements can be confirmed on the program webpage or on the Admission Requirement page for your program. Examples (varies by program):
   • High school/secondary completion
   • Collegiate-level education completion equivalencies