International Students

International Student Admission Requirements

Submit the following application items to the International Student Office at the address below. Please see the deadlines page for important dates regarding the submission of your application materials. Use this page as a checklist to keep track of the items you've sent to us. Sending all required items together ensures that your application will be processed in a timely manner.

New Full-Time International Student Applicants

New full-time international students need to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility form I-20 to receive a student visa through the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country. The I-20 indicates that all admission requirements have been met to enter the College. This document is issued through SEVIS, the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. The U.S. Embassy or Consulate make the final decision regarding whether students will be allowed to enter the United States to study. All International Students must report to DMACC on or before the date stated on the I-20 form. Late-arriving students will not be allowed to register for class. International students requesting admission and issuance of an I-20 must provide:

1. Complete an application for admission DMACC International Application for Admission.
2. A completed International Student Information Form.
3. a) A Financial Resource Statement verifying the ability of the student or the student's financial sponsor to meet all educational and living expenses for one year while attending DMACC. This must be signed and sealed by a notary public by the student or the student's financial sponsor and
   b) A letter or bank statement dated within six months of the application. The letter or bank statement needs to show at least $20,000 (USD).
4. An official transcript that provides evidence of graduation from a secondary school and transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended. Photocopies may be accepted if they are properly notarized as true copies. Transcripts must be translated into English.
5. Page 1 of passport
   The college issues an I-20 Certificate of Eligibility form after students complete the steps above (1-5) and qualify for admission. The following items must be provided upon the student's arrival at DMACC to complete the admission process:
6. Official evidence of English proficiency. All full-time and part-time students whose native language is NOT English are required to take and pass the ELL Test in ACCUPLACER^® Next Generation as a requirement for admission. This test is available at the assessment centers located on each DMACC campus. This requirement may be waived by providing any of the following.
   • TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 173 on the computer test, 500 on the paper test, or 61 on the iBT internet-based version (45 if speaking not completed) in order to enroll in credit courses. The TOEFL code for DMACC is 6177.
   • Official transcripts from an accredited United States college or university showing successful completion ('C' or better grade) of a college-level writing course and 6 hours of college-level academic course work requiring reading.
   • ACT score of 19 or higher in Reading and Writing. The ACT code for DMACC is 1272.
   • IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of 5.0 or higher.
   • Duolingo English Test: The Duolingo English Test (DET) is an online English proficiency test that can be taken online, on demand, in under an hour for only $49. The test is taken online via a computer with a webcam and microphone. The test includes a proficiency score, video interview and writing sample which are shared with DMACC when you send your results. Certified results are available within 48 hours of the test session. DET tests taken on or after July 15, 2019, require a score of 90 or higher. Take your test today.
7. A non-refundable deposit of $200 (USD). This deposit is required for new or transfer F-1 students at DMACC and must be paid before course registration takes place. When the student completes their studies at DMACC, any remaining amount of the deposit, less any outstanding tuition or fees, will be refunded to the student.

International Transfer Student Applicants

International Students who apply to DMACC as a transfer student from a college or university within the United States must provide the same items as new students listed as 1-7 above. In addition, transfer students must submit:

8. A completed DMACC International Student Inquiry Form, completed by the current school's International Student Advisor.
9. Copies of passport including the VISA pages, I-94 forms and all previously issued I-20 forms.

International Guest Student Applicants

Students who are enrolled full-time at another college or university within the United States and wish to enroll as an international guest student at DMACC, need to provide items 1, 6 and 9 from the list above. International guest students should designate "Liberal Arts" as their program of study.

Note: Adobe Acrobat is needed to view and print the forms.

Mail completed information to the address below or scan and email as PDF files to intlstudentoffice@dmacc.edu. Thank you.

DMACC
International Student Office
2006 South Ankeny Boulevard - Building 1
Ankeny, Iowa 50023
USA

Enrollment and Registration

Registration begins approximately six to seven weeks before the start of classes each semester, and continues until the beginning of classes. It is strongly recommended that international students plan on arriving at least three weeks before the first day of classes. International Student Orientation will occur within the fall and spring semesters.

Before a student may register for credit classes, he or she must complete the academic assessment process. The ELL Test in ACCUPLACER® Next Generation is given on all campuses, and the scores are used to help in course selection and schedule planning to meet individual needs and goals. No appointment is necessary to take this test on the Ankeny campus; appointments are necessary on the other DMACC campuses. Students may take the tests during International Student Orientation​.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires full-time enrollment for F-1 student visa holders in the fall and spring semesters. A course load of 12 credit hours is considered full-time. Regulations do not require F-1 students to be enrolled in classes for the summer term, but 8 credits are considered full-time for that 10-week session if a student wishes to attend. Part-time enrollment is allowed during the summer only. More information.

A Financial Resource Statement is required that verifies the ability of the student or the student's sponsor to meet all educational and living expenses for one year while attending DMACC. This must be signed and sealed by a notary public and accompanied by a letter or bank statement from the student or the student's financial sponsor, dated within six months of the application. The letter or bank statement need to show at least $20,000 (USD).

A refundable deposit of $200 (USD) is also required. This deposit is required for new or transfer F-1 students at DMACC and must be paid before course registration takes place. It may not be used to pay educational expenses. When the student completes their studies at DMACC, any remaining amount of the deposit, less any outstanding tuition or fees, will be refunded to the student.

Listed below are the estimated costs for one year. Careful planning will help to make a successful college experience.

Work permits for off-campus employment are only granted with the permission of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Service (BCIS). International Students are eligible to work on campus and are encouraged to apply for on campus job openings.

Though not eligible for federal, state or other institutional financial aid programs international students may apply and be considered for DMACC Foundation Scholarships. Both new and current students may apply during one of two open application periods. For the 2026-2027 academic year the first application period will begin on December 1, 2025 and close March 1, 2026. A second application period will be open from May 1, 2026 through July 15, 2026.

Students will be notified by DMACC email if they have been selected for one of the competitive scholarships following the application periods with further directions on how to accept the scholarship. Please note that funding is limited and not all eligible applicants will receive an award. You can learn more about the individual scholarships and application process on the DMACC Foundation Scholarship webpage.

In addition, for further financial assistance it may be possible to use private scholarships through personal research.

Educational Costs

The following costs for admission fees, tuition, fees, and books are approximate, and are subject to change each year. There may be additional supply/equipment/lab expenses for students enrolled in certain programs or courses. International students must pay the non-resident rate for tuition and fees, which is double the resident rate per credit hour.​

Please Note: Cost figures are subject to change without notice.

Credit Hour Costs
Fall Semester (12 hours)	approximately $4,272
Spring Semester (12 Hours)	approximately $4,272
Summer Term (8 hours)	approximately $2,256
Total Credit Hour Costs	$10,800

Other Costs*
Health Insurance (mandatory)	(annually) $1,700
Living Expenses (room, board, personal expenses)	$7,500
Total Other Costs	$9,200

*(This amount will vary, depending on individual needs. The cost of transportation is not included.)

Total Costs
TOTAL COST FOR ONE YEAR	$20,000
Refundable Deposit	$200
GRAND TOTAL	$20,200

 

DMACC International Student Resources

• I-20 Information
• ​Language Proficiency
• International Student Forms

Other Helpful Resources

• ​​​DMV Permit Test
• DMV Practice Test
• DMV Road Sign Test
• DMACC Library
• Campus Maps
• Academic Calendar
• ELL Classes​
• Mental health awareness for International students