International Students

Grayson County College welcomes international students. We typically enroll over 120 students from over 50 countries. Our International Student Program coordinates extra-curricular activities, providing social opportunities and community outreach and education. If you have questions, please contact Brad McClenny, our international student advisor, at internationalstudents@grayson.edu or telephone at 903-463-8749.

To apply to Grayson County College, fill out our online international student application here.

If you want to explore sites that tell you more about Sherman and Denison, Texas, here are some good ones:

• Denison Chamber of Commerce
• Sherman Chamber of Commerce
• City of Denison
• City of Sherman
• Grayson County Texas
• Lake Texoma Online

Most international students have the goal of a bachelors or graduate degree. At GCC, you can complete the first two years of a bachelors degree at a relatively low cost. Our associate (two-year) degree programs transfer to many universities including the University of North Texas, the University of Texas at Dallas, West Texas A&M University, Texas A&M Commerce, and Southeastern Oklahoma State University.

• Department of Homeland Security Regulations for F-1 Students
  F-1 students who are registered for less than 12 credit hours in a semester must be reported to the Department of Homeland Security. If you are or will be an F-1 student you should never drop below 12 credit hours without first consulting the International Student Advisor.
  
• Department of Homeland Security Regulations for F-2 Students
  F-2 students who plan to be full-time college students must change their status to F-1. Students in F-2 status can continue to enroll part time in personal enrichment (non-credit) classes. Students who have questions should contact the Office of Admissions and Records or the International Student Advisor.

International Student Admissions Process

International students must meet all the criteria for issuance of an I-20 in order to be admitted to Grayson County College.

The following forms and documents must be submitted for review. Once all requirements have been met and approved, you will be issued an I-20 form.

Admission Requirements for Non-Citizen Students

Non-Immigrant Alien (F1 visa students): The following requirements apply to all applicants holding an F1 visa issued by the Immigration and Naturalization Service and to all non-citizen applicants who do not qualify for admission as Immigrant or Refugee.

• Application for Admission.
• Non-refundable $100 US Application/Evaluation Fee.
• A physician's report or health certificate (in English or with English translation) certifying that the person has no contagious diseases and is in good physical condition; if applicant is taking medication routinely, the medication and the reason for taking it will be listed.
• Proof of meningitis vaccination administered at least ten days before entering the dorms (if living in the dorms).
• All international students must submit proof of medical insurance.
• Compliance with all requirements and procedures established for visa category by Immigration and Naturalization Service.
• Application and documents must be submitted at least thirty (30) days prior to registration.
• While GCC will comply with all policies and procedures of the Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, the ultimate responsibility that all regulations are met lies with the student.

Students enrolled for college credit classes: The following additional requirements apply to all applicants enrolled in credit courses at Grayson County College (These requirements do not apply to students enrolled in the Intensive English Program).

• An affidavit of support letter and bank statement demonstrating financial resources equal to or beyond the $12,500 total estimated cost of tuition, board, and living expenses for the duration of the academic year.
• Deposit at Grayson County College of sufficient funds to cover anticipated tuition/fees and room/board for one semester ($3,000.00 US).
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 500 (or 173 on the computer administered test, or 61 on the internet administrated test). The following exceptions apply to the English proficiency requirement:
  • Students from Australia, New Zealand, the British Isles, and the English speaking provinces of Canada are exempt. Students from other countries where English is the primary language of instruction and the language spoken at home and by the indigenous population may petition for an exception.
  • Students who have earned a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited United States college or university are exempt.
  • Students who have earned a high school diploma from a United States high school and have passing scores on a state-approved assessment are exempt.

F1 student Concurrent Enrollment: F1 students enrolled at an area college or university must submit all items except financial statement and deposit. Permission for F1 student Concurrent Enrollment form must be completed by international student advisor of the other institution specifying course(s) to be taken at GCC.

Concurrently enrolled students are required to take the majority of their credit hours (or an equal amount) at the college for which their I-20 is issued.

A $100 international application/evaluation fee will be required.

All materials required for admission to Grayson County College should be on file in the Admissions Office prior to registration. A student who does not submit required transcripts before the end of the first semester of enrollment will be placed on hold status and all future registrations will be blocked until the admission file is complete. No student is permitted to re-enroll or receive official transcripts until all admission requirements have been met.

Correspondence pertaining to admission should be addressed to International Student Advisor, Grayson County College, 6101 Grayson Drive, Denison, Texas 75020.

Please refer to assessment requirements for other factors that affect registration.