Students Seeking an Educational Visa
Students With a Non-Educational Visa

Students Seeking an Educational Visa

Gateway Technical College has three campuses and a number of Learning Centers. Our campuses are located in Elkhorn], Kenosha, and Racine. Our enrolled students live in the surrounding communities and commute to their campus each day.

Gateway offers two different post-secondary courses of study. The Technical Diploma programs can be completed within one-year of full-time training. The International student would apply for an M-1 Visa for these programs. The Associate Degree programs are designed to be completed in two, full-time nine-month school years. The F-1 Visa is issued by the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly INS) for this program of study. Both Diploma and Associate degrees are programs of study designed to lead to employment, although some students do continue their education by transferring their Gateway credits to four-year institutions.

The primary responsibility of Gateway is to meet the needs of the citizens and taxpayers in our geographic area. There is no financial assistance (loans, scholarships, or work-study jobs) for international students as is the case in many four-year colleges and universities. On average the total minimum costs, including tuition, fees, books, supplies, and living expenses are about US$29,680.00 a year. Travel costs from your country to Gateway would be extra. Certain specialized programs are more costly. All fees are subject to change.

Checklist of Admissions Requirements:

Application

Complete and return to Gateway a completed Application for Admission form indicating the program of study you wish to pursue, along with an application fee of US$30.00.

Transcripts

Send transcripts of your secondary and/or post-secondary coursework to a U.S. educational evaluation service. Completed evaluations should be sent from the service directly to:

Admissions
Gateway Technical College
400 County Road H
Elkhorn, WI 53121

TOEFL

Test of English as a Foreign Language: This recognized test is given throughout the world and is the international standard used to evaluate English level of competency. Check with educational authorities in your country about the dates and places the test is given or write to TOEFL, Box 899, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, USA, for information.

To have test results sent to Gateway Technical College, please indicate our number, #1255. Gateway requires a score of at least 500 (paper), 180 (CBT), or 64 (IBT) for admission. TOEFL scores must be no older than two years.

The TOEFL test score requirement will be waived for applicants from the following countries: Anguilla, Antigua, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Caicos Islands, Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Dominica, England, Gambia, Grand Turks Island, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Liberia, Montserrat, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Ponape, Scotland, Seychelles, Shetland Islands, St. Kitts-Nevis, St. Lucia, St.Vincent, Trinidad/Tobago, Newfoundland, and Wales.

Gateway Placement Test

Take the placement test. You can choose the computerized version (COMPASS) or the paper/pencil version (ASSET). We also accept ACT scores. If you are not in this area, you may take the placement test when you arrive.

Financial Verification

Submit a Declaration of Financial Resources. In addition, submit a signed, certified statement or a completed Certification of Finances verifying that you have sufficient funds for the period of time you will be studying. The Certification of Finances must be mailed to Gateway directly from your bank. The Cost of Study sheet will show you what your program costs will be for out-of-state/foreign residents. In addition you need to add the cost of living to your estimated expenses. This should include food, housing and health expenses.

International Student Forms

You will also need to submit the following forms:

• International Student Questionnaire/Emergency Contact Form
• Gateway International Student Transfer Form (applicable for students transferring from another school to Gateway). 

Deposit

Gateway requires you to make a deposit of US $6705.00 for the upcoming academic year (may be higher for some programs) as a sign of good faith that you will attend. This money is placed in escrow and can be used for tuition upon arrival at our school. We ask that you keep the amount equal to the next semester's tuition on deposit each semester so there is always money in your account. If for any reason you cannot attend, we will refund your money provided you have not registered and the semester has not begun. Once the semester starts, your refund for classes you have enrolled in will follow the regular refund policies at the college.

Visa

Upon acceptance at Gateway, completion of the financial and other form requirements, and receipt of your deposit, we will issue the I-20. This document advises the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (INS) that Gateway Technical College has accepted you as a foreign student. You will need to take the I-20 to the embassy of the United States in your country to begin process of issuing the visa (M-l or F-l). The visa gives you permission to enter the United States and attend school here. Many times the embassy will require more documentation than Gateway. Students will also be required to pay a $100 Department of Homeland Security fee prior to the issuance of the visa. There is no additional fee for spouses and dependent children of students.

For further information on applying for student visas visit the U.S. Department of State.

Upon arrival...

you must meet with the PDSO/DSO and provide your visa, approved I-20, proof of health insurance, and sign the Agreement of Attendance and Program Completion.

Please be aware of the following restrictions:

• • You are not allowed to work under this student visa
  • The regulations require that you successfully attend school on a full-time basis until completion
  • You must make satisfactory progress toward the completion of your educational goal

Students with a Non-Educational Visa

A non-immigrant is a foreign national seeking to enter the United States temporarily for a specific purpose. Non-immigrants enter the U.S. for a temporary time, and once in the U.S. are restricted to the activity or reason for which their visa was issued.

Because a visa is a temporary permit to be in the U.S., Gateway considers visa-holders as “out-of-district” and “out-of-state” for tuition and program-selection purposes.

Exceptions may be made when:

• the visa-holder has applied for or been granted permanent residency
• is married to a U.S. citizen
• or is here as a refugee

In these situations, the applicant must complete a Wisconsin/Gateway District Residency Determination Form.

Visa holders, including au pairs, who do not meet the exceptions, may apply for non-resident fee remission (an out-of-state fee waiver). Non-resident fee remission allows approved non-resident applicants to pay the equivalent tuition and fees as that of an in-state student. To be approved, applicants must meet the definition of “needy” and “worthy.”

• Neediness is based on documentation of assets and income. Applicants must demonstrate they have insufficient funds to cover educational expenses, including out-of-state tuition.
• Worthiness is demonstrated by meeting the admission requirements for enrollment and maintaining satisfactory academic progress.
• Non-resident Fee Remission is limited–approval is on a first come, first-served basis. All fees will be charged at the out-of-state rate until approval for remission is granted.
• Students who are approved for non-resident fee remission will be approved for a specific number of credits. Any additional courses or credits in addition to those approved (including non-credit courses and classes) through the Adult Learning Center (ABE/ELL/GED), will be at the non-resident, out-of-state tuition rate.