/Institutions/Atlanta-Technical-College/json/2025-2026/College-Catalog-local.json

/Institutions/Atlanta-Technical-College/json/2025-2026/College-Catalog.json

International Student Admission

Attending Atlanta Technical College as an International Student:

Atlanta Technical College (ATC) is approved by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) for training international students or non-immigrant aliens. As an international student, you are a “guest” here in the United States of America, especially at Atlanta Technical College. You will be enrolled in ATC by submitting various documents stating your intentions to abide by the policies of this college and the Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).  

International students must apply for admission by completing the appropriate admission application and submitting the required documents. The admission process must be 100% completed before the applicant is eligible for enrollment. The files that must be submitted before an admitted letter and the initial I-20 are issued are listed below, along with steps 1-4.  

• The International Student Document Agreement,
• The International Student Responsibility Checklist,
• The International Student Address Document

Step 1. Complete the Admissions Application by visiting the ATC website: www.atlantatech.edu 

Apply for the program of choice and download the $25 application fee. Please record the web ID and PIN # that you created when initially completing the application. An electronic receipt will be sent to your email address. It is important to retain the receipt for later reference. Submit a copy of your valid passport to the International Student Services (ISS). 

Step 2 Secure your High School/GED/college transcript, and have the document evaluated and/or translated using one of the following agencies. DO NOT have your institution forward the transcript to Atlanta Technical College. College transcripts must be evaluated course-by-course and sent from the evaluation agency electronically. REMEMBER: ALL TRANSCRIPTS “MUST” BE TRANSLATED IF NOT IN ENGLISH. 

• JSA - Josef Silny & Associates www.jsilny.com p: 305.273.1616 
• FCE - Foreign Credential Evaluations, Inc. www.fceatlanta.net p: 770.642.1108 (Evaluation only no translations)  
• ECE - Education Credential Evaluators www.ece.org p: 414.289.3400 
• WES - World Education Services www.wes.org p: 212.966.6311 
• FIS - Foundation for International Services www.fis-web.com p: 425.248.2255 
• TEC - The Evaluation Company www.evalcompany.com p: 646.475.2570  

         

Step 3 Provide Proof of English Proficiency. If you are outside the U.S., one of the following test results is acceptable.  

• TOEFL www.ets.org/toefl (Scores must be at least 61 for an internet-based exam) 
• IELTS www.ielts-exam.net (Score must be at least 5.5) 

Step 4 Secure Financial Sponsorship by submitting the following: 

• Signed and notarized the “Affidavit of Financial Support.” 
• Bank statements; submit the summary page of the last six (6) months showing a minimum amount of $27,000 per academic year.  

All documents must be completed and submitted via email to: internationalstudents@atlantatech.edu you must also supply the International Student Services (ISS) with a valid email address. 

Estimated Cost as an International Student:  

Estimated cost to attend ATC for one (1 Year) 

• Tuition and mandatory fees: $10,812
• Living expenses: $15,051
• Books: $1,137 

The total tuition and fees for immigration to allow an international student to attend ATC for one (1) year are $27,000. 

• Dependance (per-person) extra $1,500 
  
  

International Student Registration:

International students are required to register for “12 credit hours; the rate per credit hour is $428.00.” each semester throughout the academic term will consists of fall, spring, and summer.  

If you have enrolled for two (2) consecutive semesters (i.e., fall and spring), then you are eligible for the summer semester off for vacation, which will decrease the above figure.  

However, if you enroll in the spring or summer semester then you forfeit the summer vacation until the next new academic year. 

• The tuition and fees for 12 credit hours are $428 per credit hour and $407 for school fees. Therefore, for one (1) semester the cost of enrollment is $5,543. This “DOES NOT” include the program-generated fees. Note: these figures are subject to increase. 

In the event of falsified documents:  

If any documents are proven to be fraudulent, then your visa will be terminated, and the information will be sent to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the embassy in your country for possible action against you now and in the future. 

International Student Application Deadlines: 

The application deadlines for receiving an I-20 for students outside of the United States are as follows: 

 

Spring:       January – May                October 9 

Summer:    May – July                      March 2 

Fall:            August – December       June 10 

 

Complete the admissions application, and all required documents. Submit them to the International Student Services or the Enrollment Services at least four (4) weeks before registration.  

Obtaining a Student VISA:

Note: Once you have completed and submitted “all” the required documents, the International Student Services (ISS) will provide you with a Letter of Acceptance and the initial form I-20 issued by Atlanta Technical College to submit to the US Embassy in your country.   

These documents must be presented at the visa interview (if you are from the Continent of Africa, you must also show ties to your country, i.e., ownership of property, marriage, business, church affiliation, etc.) so the government knows you will return to your birth country. 

Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee before the VISA interview appointment at the U.S. Embassy. You will present proof of paying the SEVIS fee at the interview. Forward a copy of the receipt to the International Student Services at ATC to be included in your student file.  

• To find the U.S. Embassy near you, visit: http://www.usembassy.gov and make an appointment. 
• Visit http://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/index.jsp for more information about the SEVIS interview.  
• Send a copy of the I-901 and proof of payment of the SEVIS fee to the International Student Services to update your student file. 

International Student Arrival Information: 

At the Port of Entry (POE) to the U.S., you will be interviewed again and issued Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record Verification of Student Status). The earliest date of entry must be 30 days before the beginning date of the term. 

Note: It is required that you contact the International Student Services (ISS) upon arrival in the U.S. within 48 hours (2 Days) and physically present yourself to the office of International Student Services.  

• Attend ATC’s International Student orientation. International students are admitted to the U.S. for the sole purpose of being full-time students and must abide by U.S. immigration regulations for the duration of their status. Students must understand their responsibilities as there are severe penalties for violations of immigration law. During the meeting, you will complete and endorse the International Student Agreement. This will explain any disciplinary actions during the entire enrollment at Atlanta Technical College.
• Register for classes. Go to www.atlantatech.edu which brings you to the Atlanta Technical College homepage. Select “My ATC” at the top of the screen and follow the instructions. An international student is registered into SEVIS as an “Active F-1” student at the beginning of “each” semester, and they are given an active I-20 for that semester.  
• ATC Registration/Business Office: At the beginning of the first academic year, an international student must register for classes and clear their financial status “in full” with the Business Office.  A first-time student must pay their entire tuition and fee balance after enrolling in classes. Once the tuition is paid, the student must secure a “paid in full invoice” from the business office and submit that “Invoice” to the PDSO/DSO to be registered into SEVIS. 
• Business Office: International students with an outstanding balance: Students with an outstanding balance will not be allowed to enroll in the next semester until their balance is paid. 
• Employment: An F-1 status student is not permitted to work off campus or to engage in business without specific employment authorization.  
• Optional Practical Training (OPT): This is temporary employment that is directly related to an F-1 student’s major area of study. Eligible students can apply to receive up to 12 months of OPT employment authorization after completing their academic studies (post-completion). An OPT I-765 application must be sent to USCIS. You alone are responsible for the completion, accuracy, and timely submission of all documentation.   
  
  • OPT must relate to your major or course of study. 
  • You can apply for 12 months of OPT at each education level (i.e., you may have 12 months of OPT at the Associate, Bachelor's, and master’s levels). 
  • Your PDSO/DSO will provide you with a new Form I-20 that shows the PDSO/DSO's recommendation for this employment. 
  • You must apply for work authorization by electronically filing a Form I-765, “Application for Employment Authorization,” with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and paying a filing fee. Go to USCIS and download a Form I-766, “Employment Authorization Document” (EAD). 
  • After you have received your EAD card, “then and only then” should a student start to work. You are responsible for supplying the International Student Services with the employer’s details and information to complete the process.  
    
    
    • Employer name (Company) 
    • Job Title 
    • Supervisor's full name 
    • Telephone number of the supervisor 
    • Email address of supervisor 
    • Employer's address 
    • How the job is related to your field of study at ATC 
    • Start date and end date of employment (OPT) 
    • Work hours (full-time/part-time) 
    • Employer Identification Number (EIN) 

Transferring from Another U.S. Institution of Learning:

No Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) can prevent an International Student from transferring out of their institution. The students’ I-20s are secured by the Federal Government of the United States of America; therefore, if an international student wants to transfer out of an SEVP school, then the school “must” allow the transfer. If you are seeking to transfer from another U.S. College, University, or Institution of Learning, it is necessary to obtain a “transfer clearance” form to begin the process of having your SEVIS record transferred to Atlanta Technical College. 

• Provide a copy of your current I-20 issued by the college you are transferring from. 
• Obtain a Transfer Clearance Form from the ATC International Student Services Office. 
• Present the Transfer Clearance Form along with your Letter of Acceptance to your current college to transfer your student SEVIS record before the beginning of your term of study at Atlanta Technical College. 

The required forms are indicated in steps 1-4 at the beginning of this document. 

Change of VISA Status: 

If you are currently in the U.S. with a VISA status (B1/B2 or J1), you cannot enroll in classes until the change of status has been approved by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the I-797 Notice of Action has been received. 

I-539 (Application) www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-539.pdf  

I-539 (Instructions) www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-539instr.pdf  

I-901 (SEVIS Form) www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/ other than F-1 or M-1, Eligibility to file requires the following documentation: 

• Valid Non-immigrant Status 
• Valid I-94 
• Valid Passport
• Full Acceptance at Atlanta Technical College

To obtain assistance and information on the complete process for filing, make an appointment with the International Student Service Office at internationalstudents@atlantatech.edu  

Note: Non-immigrants in C, D, K, and M, are those who entered the U.S. under the VISA-Waiver      

Pilot Program cannot change to F-1 status. Those with J status who are subject to the two-year     home physical requirement may not change their status in the U.S. 

Please note: all terminations are not LAWFUL AND will not have a negative effect on the student’s F-1 STATUS. 

An international student can be terminated by the institution or SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) for the following reasons: 

• Absent from the country for five months:
  • If an F-1 student returns to their home country and remains their more than five months before returning to the U.S. and enrolling in the assigned SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program) School.  Either the SEVP institution or SEVIS can terminate the student’s record.  Once that student’s record is terminated the student will have to readmit through immigration by completing all documents from the beginning with the embassy in their country.    
• Authorized drop below full course time exceeded:
  •  In some cases, students will be allowed to drop below the full course load by the PDSO/DSO.  This authorization usually lasts for one semester but can be extended based on the circumstances.   However, if the PDSO/DSO does not extend the drop below full course authority then the student must maintain the original class status based upon the degree they are enrolled in.  If the drop below full course time is approved, and the student takes it upon him/herself to extend the status, the student will be terminated immediately.  
• Authorized early withdrawal:
  •  If a student takes it upon him/herself to withdraw based on a letter from USCIS stating that they have been awarded a change of status (Permanent Resident, H1B, etc.) before receiving their Official Card from USCIS, and withdraw all classes from the SEVP school, the student will be terminated.   
• Change of status approved: 
  •  When a student changes his/her F-1 status based on “Permanent Resident, and/or H1B Status,” the F-1 status must be terminated. 
• Change of status denied: 
  •  If a student attempts to change their status from J-1, B1/B2, or any other visa type to an F-1 status and is denied then the student record will be terminated; however, the student can submit a “Notice to Reopen” which gives the student a chance to present evidence to support the request. 
• Change of status withdrawn:
  • If an international student has submitted documents to change status and withdrawn the application, the requested change of status request will be terminated 
• Death: 
  •  If an international student passes away in the middle of his/her scheduled F-1 status for security reasons, the student's record will be terminated. 
• Expulsion: 
  •  If ATC deems it necessary to kick a student out of the college based on behavior or any other action that violates the college’s code of conduct, the F-1 student’s status will be terminated. 
• Failure to enroll: 
  •  If a student has been accepted into ATC and does not enroll within 15 days from the semester start date, the student will be terminated. 
• Failure to report while on OPT: 
  •  OPT is a status when a student has a year to be away from school, and still be in status.  When a student is enrolled in OPT, and the year is concluded, the student must return to the SEVP school under a new degree level, change SEVP schools, or leave the country. 
• No show – Manual termination: 
  •  When an F-1 student does not report to school for the next semester, he/she is considered a “no-show” and the status is terminated.
• Otherwise, failing to maintain status:
  • This termination could be based on the student’s academic record, failure to maintain financial stability, issues with the university code of conduct (which could include, but not be limited to, problems in housing), etc. 
• School withdrawn: 
  •  If the F-1 student withdraws their desire to attend the specific SEVP college or university then the status will be terminated. 
• Suspension:
  • If an international student is suspended from school for any reason, then their F-1 status is terminated. 
• Transfer student no-show:
  • If an international student is accepted to ATC as a result of a transfer from another SEVP institution and does not enroll in school before the 15-day grace period, then the student's F-1 status will be terminated. 
• Unauthorized drop below full course: 
  • If a SEVP student takes it upon him/herself to enroll in fewer than the required number of classes designed by SEVIS according to the degree they are registered in, that student is considered an unauthorized drop below the full course load and will be terminated. 
• Unauthorized withdrawal: 
  •  If you walk away from an SEVP institution without proper authorized withdrawal papers you will be terminated.  This included having pending approval to change status based on a document secured by USCIS/Immigration. 
• Violation of the change of status requirements: 
  •  If you enroll in classes before USCIS approves your Form I-539, you will be ineligible to change your nonimmigrant status from B to F.
     

All documents regarding your immigration or student status must be forwarded to the College via internationalstudents@atlantatech.edu. We look forward to your joining the Atlanta Technical College student body.