All new international students must apply to Lakeland and submit the required documents. Review our application information.
Once you submit your application, you should receive an email from the International Student office within a few days to let you know we received your application. If everything is complete, a decision should be made within two to three weeks.
To be considered official, documents must be issued directly from the authorizing institution, such as a bank, school or testing agency.
Email is not secure and is not recommended. Please submit your application or bank documents using the upload process through your application guest account. All needed documents will be listed under Supplemental Items.
If you have questions about your application, please email international@lakelandcc.edu.
The financial documents required for the application process include the following:
- A bank statement in your name or in the name of your sponsor indicating a minimum balance of $20,500 USD (effective fall 2024; the number of your dependents will increase this amount). This statement must be dated within six months from the start of the semester and must include the bank's contact information.
- Sponsor's Affidavit of Support
- U.S. sponsors must submit an original notarized Affidavit of Support (Form I-134).
- Foreign sponsors must provide a written statement indicating their relationship to the student and specific intended contributions towards the student's expenses (sample sponsorship letter).
We require only one of these tests be submitted during the application process. Lakeland Community College requires all entering students to provide evidence of English proficiency as part of our admission criteria (English language proficiency exempt countries). We are required to do this to meet federal regulations since we are not a language institute, but a degree-granting institution. We must have proof of language proficiency from one of the tests we authorize from the list below.
- TOEFL minimum required scores (Lakeland's institutional code is 1422): 500 PBT (paper-based); 173 CBT (computer-based) or 61 IBT (internet-based).
- IELTS minimum score of 6.0 or higher.
- Completion of an accredited ESL program. (Lakeland does not offer an ESL program).
- ACT 18 or above on the English portion of the test.
- SAT 480 or above on the Evidence-Reading and Writing portion of the test.
TOEFL minimum required scores (Lakeland's institutional code is 1422): 500 PBT (paper-based); 173 CBT (computer-based) or 61 IBT (internet-based).
IELTS minimum score of 6.0 or higher.
Lakeland must first receive an evaluation report. Students who have completed college-level coursework outside the U.S. must have their transcripts evaluated by the transcript evaluation agencies listed below. The cost of the evaluation is the responsibility of the student. The evaluation should be sent directly to the Office of Admissions at Lakeland Community College at the address below.
Lakeland Community College
Attn: Admissions Office
7700 Clocktower Drive
Kirtland, OH 44094
Lakeland's preferred independent credit evaluation organizations are World Education Services (WES) and Educational Perspectives.
You must select a major on your application; however, it is possible to change your selection later. F-1 visa holders are not permitted to declare certificate programs as a program of study, however, students can take courses in certificate programs.
View Lakeland's degree and certificate program list.
Lakeland Community College is not a language school. Students must provide documentation of English language proficiency.
International students pay out of state fees for the duration of their status and are required to be full-time (12 or more credit hours each semester). International students are not eligible for financial aid from federal and state government sources.
Estimated Cost Per Academic Year (in U.S. dollars; effective fall 2024)
Tuition: $9,235
Room/Board: $7,908
Books/Supplies: $800
Other Expenses: $2,557
Total: $20,500
Optional - Health Insurance: $500 (Insurance plans for international students are available from ISO Student Health Insurance)
No. International students do not qualify for state or federal financial aid programs.
Once accepted to Lakeland, F-1 visa holders are eligible to apply for scholarships through myLakeland. In addition to the scholarship application, international students must also submit an International Student Supplemental Scholarship Form. F-1 visa holders are not allowed to apply for any scholarships that are funded by local, state, or federal funding.
At Lakeland Community College, F-1 students must register for and complete a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester, of which 9 credit hours must be seated in a classroom, to maintain their F-1 visa status.
At least 9 of your 12 credit hours must be taken as in-person, face-to-face courses. You are permitted to take online courses as long as 9 credit hours are on campus.
Tuition must be paid in full, or the student must be enrolled in a Tuition Loan Payment Plan by the posted tuition payment deadline for the specific term.
View Lakeland's tuition information for the current tuition payment plans, refund dates and more. When registering for multiple sessions, the earliest tuition due date applies. If payment is not made, your classes will be dropped.
While you hold F-1 visa status, you are only allowed to work on campus. While classes are in session, you are not allowed to work more than 20 hours per week. Any other employment is considered unauthorized and is a violation of your visa status.
There are no deadlines for applying to Lakeland Community College. However, documentation must be submitted by June 15 for the fall semester and November 15 for the spring semester; students cannot be admitted for the summer term.
After you are accepted by the College and receive the Form I-20 from the College, you must apply for your nonimmigrant student (F-1) visa at the U.S. embassy or consulate nearest your home. You must bring the necessary supporting documentation to your visa appointment, including your College acceptance letter, proof of payment of SEVIS I-901 fee, passport, your I-20 Form and appropriate financial documentation. Required documents depend on the country, so it is recommended that you check with the U.S. consulate or embassy to determine what you need before your appointment.
As the fall semester begins in August, temperatures will range from 70-90 degrees Fahrenheit (21-32 degrees Celsius). In November and December, temperatures can drop to 17-40 degrees Fahrenheit (-8-4 degrees Celsius) and are usually accompanied by rain, snow, and ice. These temperatures sometimes last until March. As springtime approaches in March and April, temperatures begin to rise again to about 45-60 degrees Fahrenheit (7-15 degrees Celsius) and can last throughout the spring semester. Northeast Ohio experiences all four seasons of weather.
If you currently hold a valid F-1 Visa and would like to transfer to Lakeland Community College, find more information here.