Admission Policies and Procedures

Lone Star College is an open admissions system. LSC prefers that all new LSC students fill out and submit an application at LoneStar.edu/apply to expedite the application process. Alternately, new students may complete the Texas Common Application for Community Colleges at ApplyTexas.org understanding that use of the Apply Texas application is not a real-time submission. Those submitting applications using the Texas Common Application process will experience at least an one day delay in processing their requests for LSC admission. Returning students must update their general information and submit a new residency oath if they have not been enrolled during the preceding fall and spring semesters. Students who have not been enrolled for two or more years will be required to submit a new admissions application.

Admissions Criteria for Credit Courses

Once admitted to LSC, students may elect to attend any college within the system. Admission to LSC does not guarantee admission to a specific limited-enrollment program. Students may be admitted to the system under any one of the following criteria:

1. Graduate from high school.
2. Transfer from another college or institution.
3. Obtain GED (General Educational Development) certificate by passing the test as certified by a state education agency.
4. Meet international student criteria (F-1 Visa). Additional information relating to academic background, financial support as well as a personal interview may be required for admission. See Admission Procedures for International Students section of this catalog for additional information.
5. Meet exceptional admission criteria. Exceptional admission at LSC is designed for students whose academic needs can best be met by the inclusion of college-level instruction. Students enrolled in high school who do not have a GED certificate or a diploma from high school may qualify for exceptional admission.
6. Obtain individual approval. Students who do not meet any of the above requirements, may be admitted with special individual approval, provided sufficient evidence is presented that the student can do college-level work. Evidence may include, but is not limited to, standardized written exams, other measurement instruments, or a non-written examination for workforce course work. Approvals will be considered upon receipt of supporting documentation, as described above, and an Individual Approval Form.

Admissions Process: Credit Courses

As an open admissions college system, LSC makes it easy to get started. The steps are:

• Submit an online admissions application at LoneStar.edu/apply.
• Apply for financial aid if needed.
• Returning students must update their information and complete a new residency oath if they have not enrolled in the preceding fall and spring semester.
• Submit qualifying assessment scores, or complete the Pre-Assessment Activity and take an assessment test (see LoneStar.edu/placement-testing-info for details).
• Submit all official transcripts.
• Submit meningitis documentation if applicable.
• Attend a New Student Orientation.
• Meet with advisor/counselor to discuss academic plans.
• Apply for Academic Fresh Start if needed.

Special Admissions Requirements

Specific programs may have special admission requirements. Students should check program information in the LSC Catalog for details.

In addition, students age 16 or younger must provide proof of high school graduation. The student’s transcript(s) will be reviewed by a committee as outlined in the LSC Policy Manual. If admitted:

• Students age 17 or younger must complete and return a Parental Consent and Waiver Form prior to enrolling at LSC.
• Students age 16 or younger must meet with LSC personnel prior to registering each semester.
• Students age 16 or younger must have a parent or legal guardian at the LSC campus, center, or facility at all times to monitor the student’s activities outside of class and to be immediately available in case of an emergency. Failure to do so will cause the student to be removed from each enrolled class.

Mandatory First Time in College Student Orientation

Getting off to the best start at the beginning of the semester is important; therefore, all First Time in College students at Lone Star College are required to complete a student orientation. Students will be unable to register for classes until this requirement is complete. Please visit LoneStar.edu/orientation for additional details.

Exceptional Admissions: Definition

College credits earned through the exceptional admissions program will be accepted by most institutions on the same basis as other college credit. There is a possibility, however, that a specific college may add additional requirements for transfer purposes. Contact the college admissions office or a high school counselor for more information.

Participation in the exceptional admissions program may make some students ineligible for University Interscholastic League (UIL) competition in certain academic areas, depending on the courses taken. English and history courses do not affect eligibility. Students should contact their high school advisor for specific UIL requirements.

Exceptional Admissions: Process

The following actions must be completed by all exceptional admission students prior to registering:

1. Visit LoneStar.edu/apply to complete the application.
2. Submit qualifying assessment scores, or complete the Pre-Assessment Activity and take an assessment test (high school transcript is not sufficient). See LoneStar.edu/placement-testing-info for details.
3. Submit meningitis documentation if applicable.
4. Attend a New Student Orientation if applicable.
5. Present evidence that required course prerequisites have been satisfied such as high school, home school, or college transcript, and high school graduation plan.
6. Complete the college registration form with college classes authorized by high school counselor or home school administrator.
7. Complete the exceptional admission form signed by student, parent/guardian, high school principal, or designee which lists the college classes and high school classes.
8. Present proof that the student has met TSI requirements in the areas that are applicable to the courses that the student wishes to enroll in and have the course prerequisites.
9. Students 16 years or younger must receive approval for exceptional admission.

Dual Credit: Definition

Dual credit is part of Lone Star College’s exceptional admissions program. It is especially designed for junior and senior secondary education students who qualify to earn high school and college credit simultaneously while still in high school. Dual credit students receive a 100 percent discounted tuition rate. All other fees will be assessed at the stated rate.

LSC colleges have agreements with several high school districts that permit eligible high school students to earn college credit while satisfying high school graduation requirements at the same time. Upon approval by the high school principal or designee and college admission through the exceptional admissions program, a student may enroll in college courses taught either at the high school or at LSC.

Dual Credit: Requirements

In order for students to be eligible for dual credit, all of the following must be met:

• The high school has an agreement with Lone Star College.
• The student is currently enrolled in a public or private high school or home school.
• The student has a current LSC application on file.
• The student meets the requirements for exceptional admission.
• The student has approval from high school designee, college designee and parent/guardian.
• The student has demonstrated TSI compliance and/or taken an approved assessment.

Please refer to LoneStar.edu/dualcredit/eligibility for more information.

Dual Credit Registration Deadlines

Satisfactory Progress in Dual Credit Classes

High school students must complete each college course attempted with a grade of “C” or better in order to continue in the program. For additional information about dual credit, please visit LoneStar.edu/dualcredit.

Dual Credit Students on Campus

Lone Star College is a community college that embraces our communities and welcomes residents of all ages. However, in order to provide for the safety of all children, students age sixteen or younger must have a parent, legal guardian or authorized responsible adult at the LSC campus, center or facility to monitor the student’s activities outside of class and to be immediately available in case of an emergency.

Joint Admissions and Reverse Transfer

The Joint Admissions program is a partnership that allows LSC students the opportunity to apply to and enroll in Sam Houston State University, University of Houston, University of Houston-Downtown, Our Lady of the Lake University, Prairie View A&M University, University of Texas at Dallas, or Texas Southern University while still attending LSC. This facilitates course transfer directly into a program-specific bachelor’s degree. Students in this program receive all the benefits of being a typical university student, including a simplified application process, discounted or no application fee, and access to university advisors and degree plans.

Reverse Transfer establishes policies and procedures for credits earned at universities to be transferred to LSC and applied toward associate degrees. Students can apply for LSC graduation online. For additional information, go to our website at LoneStar.edu/joint-admissions or contact Educational Partnerships at 281.290.3634.

LSC-Jakarta

Lone Star College and Universitas Siswa Bangsa Internasional (USBI, Jakarta, Indonesia) have established the first U.S. associate degree program offered in Indonesia. The LSC/USBI dual enrollment International Educational Pathway Program is the only one of its kind in Indonesia. Students electing to participate in the Pathway program will receive a U.S. associate degree after completing the first two years of the Lone Star College international academic program curriculum at the USBI campus in Pancoran, South Jakarta, Indonesia.

These courses are taught in English by local faculty in Jakarta and have met the qualifications as required by the LSC United States regional accrediting body, the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges (SACS) and are approved by LSC. All USBI courses are designed to meet industry needs through the oversight of industry advisory boards.

After completing the Lone Star College associate degree, students have a number of options for completing their bachelor’s degree in Jakarta, Indonesia or the U.S.

LSC-Jakarta students enrolled in the International Academic Pathway program are also co-enrolled in the Sampoerna School of Business and the Sampoerna School of Education.

For more information go to LoneStar.edu/Jakarta or call: +62 O85857418425 (Indonesia) +1 832.217.0176 (USA)

Admissions Procedures for International Students

LSC is authorized by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to enroll non-immigrant students carrying valid F-1 (student) visas for degree-seeking programs. Currently there are about 2,100 international students from 100 different countries on various visa types. LSC adheres to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) guidelines. It is the responsibility of the student to have knowledge of DHS regulations pertaining to their visa type.

F-1 Student Enrollment

Enrollment involves five processes: admission as an F-1 student, visa/status approval by the U.S. government, orientation, advisement and course registration.

Please note, certain programs of study such as healthcare programs have additional admission requirements. Please check with the particular academic program for more information.

Applicants should choose the LSC campus that they would like to attend before completing the admissions process. Visit Lonestar.edu/maps for a listing of LSC locations.

Please contact the International Student Advisor/DSO (SEVIS Designated School Official) for that location with questions. See LoneStar.edu/International-Students for contact information.

F-1 Admissions Procedures

Admissions Application Period:

• For Students Applying from Outside of the United States:
     • Fall Semester: April 1- July 1 immediately prior to desired semester
     • Spring Semester: September 15- November 1 immediately prior to desired semester
• Transfer students: Contact the International Student Advisor/Designated School Official.
• Change of Status Applicants: No less than 30 days from current visa status expiration as determined by expiration date on I-94 Admission Card/Record.

To be considered for admission to LSC on an F-1 student visa, applicants must submit the following items to the International Student Advisor/DSO at the campus they wish to attend in one complete packet by the specific deadline. One application is sufficient to be accepted to any of the Lone Star College campuses. If the applicant changes their mind about the LSC campus they wish to attend, please notify the International Student Advisor/DSO so that they can transfer the application to the appropriate person.

All required forms can be accessed at LoneStar.edu/International-Students-Forms.

All F-1 Applicants

1. New Student Online Application available at Lone Star College Admissions.
2. Evidence of high school completion or college-level work and a certified translation if the primary document is not in English. If submitting evidence of college-level work from outside of the United States, the document must ascertain that high school completion was required for admission into the college. Students who have college/ university credits outside the U.S. and wish to transfer their credits to LSC, must submit a course-by-course evaluation by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) International Education Services, by a service that maintains current membership in the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES), or any evaluation service which is a member of the Association of International Credentials Evaluators (AICE).
3. A LSC International Student Application (form) completed and signed by the applicant.
4. Proof of sufficient English proficiency by submitting one of the following:

• Official transcripts from an accredited U.S. college or university showing successful completion of coursework including a college-level writing course (not ESOL).
• Official records from a foreign high school or higher education institution where English is the primary language of instruction may indicate English proficiency.
• Minimum scores on approved ESOL tests for admission into the Intensive English Program: TOEFL paper 347, TOEFL CBT 63, TOEFL IBT 19; TOEIC 255; IELTS-3; or COMPASS ESL Read 42-57, Listen 42-57, and Grammar 42-47. Upon arrival, individuals will be assessed for placement into the Intensive English program.
• TOEFL paper 530, TOEFL CBT 197, or TOEFL IBT 71; TOEIC 700; or IELTS 6.0 or COMPASS 99 allow students to take the TSI test for admission into college-transfer courses. Scores are valid for two years. Refer to English-Proficiency-Requirement for more information.

5. Evidence of financial support, showing that adequate funding is available to pay for the applicant’s educational and estimated living expenses for at least one year. All applicants must provide a completed and signed Financial Responsibility Statement (form) and the following supporting financial documents showing, at minimum, the amount listed on Lone Star/International Tuition. If documents are not in English, please include an official translation. The type of currency must be clearly listed:

• Bank letter on official bank letterhead with 1) account holder name; 2) date account opened; 3) current balance; and 4) average yearly balance. Letter cannot be more than 1 month old.
• Official bank statements for the last 3 months.

Students who are being sponsored by another person will need to provide a copy of the sponsor’s picture identification and the sponsor’s signature on the Financial Responsibility Statement.

The International Student Advisor/DSO reserves the right to request additional supporting documentation if necessary.

6. Copy of passport for applicant and for spouse or children who will be eligible visa dependents valid for at least 6 months at the time of application.
7. To promote the F-1 student’s success, a signed and dated Maintaining F-1 Status Form agreeing to follow the Department of Homeland Security rules and regulations and LSC policies that govern the F-1 student visa program if the applicant is accepted by LSC and enrolls.

Please contact the International Student Advisor/DSO at the chosen LSC campus with any additional questions.

Transfer Students on an F-1 Student Visa

An F-1 student seeking to transfer from another U.S. college/university must submit the following documents to the International Student Advisor/DSO at the LSC campus they wish to enroll:

1. Items 1-7 listed above for all F-1 applicants.
2. International Student Transfer-In Information Form completed by an international student advisor from the student’s current institution. Applicant must be in status to be eligible for transfer.
3. Copy of I-94 card (if arrived by land) or print out of electronic I-94 record (if arrived by air) from this site: i94.cbp.dhs.gov/ for applicant and for any eligible dependent spouse or children (F-2). The validity date must list “D/S” (Duration of Status).
4. Copy of F-1 visa for applicant and for any eligible dependent spouse or children (F-2).
5. Copy of I-20s from current and any previous schools for applicant and any eligible dependent spouse or children (F-2).

Applicants on another Visa Seeking to Study on an F-1 Visa (Change of Status)

Applicants seeking to change their visa status from another visa type to F-1 must submit the following documents to the International Student Advisor/DSO at the LSC campus they wish to enroll:

1. Items 1-7 listed above for all F-1 applicants.
2. Copy of U.S. admission stamp in passport for applicant and for any eligible dependent spouse or children (F-2). The validity date cannot be expired.
3. Copy of I-94 card (if arrived by land) or print out of electronic I-94 record (if arrived by air) from this site: i94.cbp.dhs.gov/ for applicant and for any eligible dependent spouse or children (F-2). The validity date cannot be expired.
4. Copy of visa for applicant and for any eligible dependent spouse or children.
5. Completed Form I-539. Download form: U.S. Government Form I-539.

F-1 Students with Form I-20 from another Institution (Concurrent Enrollment)

F-1 visa students whose immigration record will remain at another institution but would like to take some classes at LSC will need to provide the following to the International Student Advisor/DSO at the LSC campus they wish to enroll:

1. Copy of current Form I-20.
2. Letter from their International Student Advisor/DSO at their current institution. The letter must indicate good immigration standing and number of credits the students is allowed to take at LSC for the current semester.

Once Accepted

Once accepted for admission into a college, the student will receive a welcome packet containing an I-20 form which is used to apply for an F-1 visa.

All new F-1 international students must attend a mandatory international student orientation session before the start of their first semester in addition to any orientations required by the LSC campus where they enroll. The International Student Advisor/DSO at the college will provide date, time, and location information. The orientation provides valuable information about federal F-1 visa rules and the LSC mandatory Student Health Insurance.

F-1 visa regulations require students on an F-1 visa to enroll in and maintain enrollment in a minimum of 12 credit hours each fall and spring semester. At least 9 of these credit hours must be in face-to-face classes each semester. Other rules pertaining to the F-1 visa program apply as outlined in the Maintaining Status form in addition to college policies and procedures that apply to all students.

F-1 students with a LSC Form I-20 are required to purchase health insurance or provide proof of adequate and acceptable health insurance by completing the waiver application by a specific deadline. The premium for the LSC International Student Health Insurance Plan will be included with the tuition and fees at registration. See Lone Star/International-Student-health-insurance for more information. Concurrently-enrolled F-1 students are not eligible for the LSC student health insurance plan.