Hawkeye Community College

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INFORMATION ABOUT IOWA, WATERLOO, AND HAWKEYE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Hawkeye Community College is located in Waterloo, Iowa. The state of Iowa is in the center of the United States, in the heart of an agriculturally related economy. The soil is very rich and conducive to the growing process. The main crops grown in Iowa are corn and soybeans. In addition to the crops, many farmers also raise livestock (primarily cows and pigs). Waterloo is home to several small industries; however, the major industries in the area are John Deere Tractor Works and Tyson Foods Inc. (a pork processor). Two rivers, the Mississippi and the Missouri, located on the East and West sides respectively make the borders to the state of Iowa. The temperature ranges from 30 degrees Celsius during June, July, and August (summer) to as low as -26 degrees Celsius during December, January, and February (winter). Precipitation falls in the forms of rain and snow with occasional thunderstorms during spring and summer and occasional blizzards during the winter. Waterloo is 270 miles (434 kilometers) West of Chicago and 196 miles (316 kilometers) south of Minneapolis. Waterloo and its adjacent community, Cedar Falls, have a population of approximately 100,765.

Higher educational opportunities in Iowa include two-year community colleges, four-year colleges, and four-year universities. These colleges and universities offer Associate degrees (two-year), Bachelor degrees (four-year), Masters degrees (Bachelor's degree plus two years), and Doctorates (Bachelor's degree plus three years). Hawkeye Community College is a two-year community college offering only Associate degrees. Our graduates are employed as technicians, or transfer to four-year colleges or universities to continue their education. The largest portion of the student body at Hawkeye Community College is made up of recent high school graduates between the ages of 18-20.

HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION, AND ARRIVAL INFORMATION

Hawkeye Community College does not offer on campus housing to any of its students. Those students that do not live with their parents find housing within a reasonable commuting distance to campus. Many live within 5 kilometers of campus in the near West side of Waterloo. There are also apartments within walking distance of the college. Hawkeye Community College is served by the local bus system for those who do not have a car or other transportation available to them.

Hawkeye Community College has an arrangement for its students to take advantage of housing at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI). UNI is located about 20 minutes by car from Hawkeye Community College. We can provide you housing information for UNI upon request. If you choose to take advantage of this housing option your contract for housing will be with UNI, not Hawkeye Community College. The UNI housing contract can also include meal plans if you choose.

A list of available housing can be obtained upon request from the Admissions office. Hawkeye Community College does not make recommendations nor does it evaluate the residences listed. These referrals are made solely to aid students in their search for housing. Hawkeye Community College is unable to make rental reservations, negotiate lease agreements or act as an agent for students. International Students must bring sufficient funds to pay at least three months rent in advance at the time housing is located.

International students should arrive in Waterloo prior to the beginning of classes to secure housing and attend a mandatory orientation session. Specific orientation information will be provided at a later date.

Students must present to the International Student Services Coordinator their passport, I-94, stamped I-20, and a local address and telephone number before being allowed to take the placement examination and/or register for classes.

EXPENSES, EMPLOYMENT, AND FINANCIAL AID

There is a mandatory (refundable if you do not attend Hawkeye Community College) deposit prior to I-20 admission of $425 U.S. dollars to cover Health Insurance at Hawkeye Community College.

Tuition and fees for International students total $4,700 (US dollars) for one academic year (two semesters, or nine months, this does not include the summer session which may be mandatory, depending on the program chosen, resulting in a higher total). Books and other fees will total approximately $800 (possibly higher or lower depending on the major and courses each semester). Transportation expenses are estimated to be $1,200 and other incidental expenses will total about $3,500. These costs do not include charges associated with living expenses (room and board) which should cost approximately $5,200.

International students have special Immigration regulations surrounding employment. It is extremely important for International students not to accept employment without first consulting with the International Student Services Coordinator or Director of Student Development. International students should not expect to come to the United States to work in order to meet their educational costs.

Hawkeye Community College does not provide any type of Financial Aid to its International Students.

DEPOSIT OF YEARLY COSTS

Hawkeye Community College requires all international students to deposit, with the Hawkeye Technical Foundation, the total cost of attending school for one year. Therefore, $15,825 should be deposited with the Foundation prior to Hawkeye Community College issuing the Immigration I-20 form.

In lieu of the deposit International students may complete one of the following:

(a) Submit to the Admissions Office a letter from your government stating that they are funding your education.

(b) Submit a letter to the Admissions Office from a United States citizen, foundation, or corporation stating that they will be financially responsible for funding your education. Additional proof of ability to cover your expenses will be expected if this option is chosen.

(c) Submit a letter to the Admissions Office from your bank showing a balance in excess of $15,825 US dollars dated within the previous four months of your application date.

However, YOU MUST REMIT $425.00 to Hawkeye Community College prior to your I-20 issuance for mandatory health insurance charges.

ENGLISH REQUIREMENT (TOEFL)

Hawkeye Community College requires that International students take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or its equivalent. Students with a TOEFL score which falls between 330 and 429 (computer scores 53-113) will be placed in ESL courses*. Students with a TOEFL score falling between 430 and 499 (computer scores 117-170) will be placed in limited Academic courses and ESL (to be determined by the advisor and ESL instructor)*. Those with a TOEFL score of 500 (computer score of 173) or above will be placed in unrestricted Academic courses (with the exception of Math, an assessment may be required upon arrival)*.

*Hawkeye Community College reserves the right to re-assess students for English abilities upon arrival and place them appropriately regardless of the TOEFL score.

The ESL courses at Hawkeye Community College consist of 2 levels with 4 parts each; Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening.

The Educational Testing Service (ETS) must send test score directly to Hawkeye Community College; our institutional code is 6288. We also require that the score be no more than two years old (from the date of your application).

To determine the test dates and locations in your country, contact the nearest American Consulate or Embassy, or the ETS directly at: Test of English as a Foreign Language, Box 899, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA; or http://www.toefl.org/.

OTHER GENERAL INFORMATION AND IMMIGRATION REGULATIONS

Immigration requires that Immigration documents be kept with you and current at all times. Remember, maintenance of immigration status is the responsibility of the student!

Passport
	It is the student's responsibility to be aware of the passport's expiration date and renew it when necessary (passports should have an expiration date of at least six months into the future). A passport can be renewed by contacting the issuing country's nearest Consulate or Embassy. This may take several weeks, so be sure to plan accordingly.
Arrival-Departure Record (Form I-94)
	The I-94 is a small white sheet of paper attached to the passport when entering the United States. It is recommended that a photocopy be made of this document and kept separate from the original. If the original I-94 is lost, it will be less difficult to get a replacement if a copy can be produced.
Visa
	The visa is the page in the passport containing an entry stamp made by a United States Consul abroad. A visa is used to enter the United States. This document does not need to be renewed as long as you stay in the U.S. However, if it expires and the holder leaves the country a new visa must be obtained from a U.S. Consulate or Embassy outside of the United States before returning.
Form I-20
	Students must maintain a valid I-20. If the I-20 is about to expire and the student is academically eligible to remain at Hawkeye Community College an application for an extension must be made (you must see either the International Student Services Coordinator or Director of Student Development at least 15 work days prior to the expiration date on your I-20). If the student is planning to transfer to another college or university the new institution's rules for I-20 issuance must be followed. Failure to follow the rules associated with the issuance of the new I-20 for a transfer to another institution will be considered a failure to maintain status by the Department of Homeland Security.
Academic progress, load, and status
	Students are required to carry a full program of study during each academic term. This means enrolling in and completing at least 12 credit hours per semester. According to immigration regulations when visa students do not enroll, are not attending full time (12 credits per term), maintain poor classroom attendance, terminate their enrollment, make unsatisfactory academic progress, or become employed without proper authorization, they will be reported to the Department of Homeland Security as being out of status. In addition, any violation of U.S. criminal law can have very serious consequences, possibly including arrest, a fine or jail time, and you could face deportation back to your home country.

For more information contact Anne Doyle at 1-800-670-4769 or email International Student Services at isp@hawkeyecollege.edu.