International Student Admissions and Services

Begin by submitting your application for admission.

Note: If you plan to pursue a Bachelor's Degree in the United States, please select Liberal Arts Transfer as your major.

If you're an international student from a country where English isn't the official language, you'll need to send in your official TOEFL scores or another approved English test to be accepted. Accepted assessments include:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): Minimum score of 500 (paper-based) or 61 (iBT). Send your TOEFL results directly from ETS to Hawkeye Community College Admissions. Our our institutional code is 6288.
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS): Minimum overall band score of 6.0 (academic track).
• Cambridge English Qualifications C1 Advanced: Grade of A or B.
• Cambridge English Qualifications C2 Proficiency: Grade of A or B.
• Duolingo English Test: Minimum score of 90.
• Michigan English Test (MET): Minimum score of 54.
• Advanced Placement International English Language (APIEL): Score of 4 or 5.
• General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (GCE A-Level): Pass in English with a grade of A, B, or C from one of the five British-based examining boards.
• ACCUPLACER Classic Assessment: Sentence Skills score of 82 and Reading score of 76, or equivalent college coursework.
• ACCUPLACER Next Generation Assessment: Writing score of 253-300 and Reading score of 251-300.
• ACT Assessment: Minimum English test score of 19.
• SAT: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score of 510.
• International Baccalaureate (IB): Grade of 4, 5, 6, or 7 in English A1 or A2 at Higher Level (HL) or Standard Level (SL).
• PTE Academic/PTE Online: Minimum score of 45.
• University of Northern Iowa Culture and Intensive English Program (CIEP): Completion of Level 7 with a recommendation from the CIEP Director.
• U.S. College Coursework (from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university):
  • One semester of college-level English Composition (face-to-face) with a minimum grade of C.
  • One semester of college-level English Composition (face-to-face) and college-level Reading (face-to-face) with a minimum grade of C.

English Test Waiver

You might qualify for a waiver to skip the English test if you're from one of these countries: Belize, Botswana, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Guyana, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Natal, Nigeria, New Guinea, Philippines, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• High School Records: If your country requires national exams (like Nigeria), you’ll need to send your official exam results. Your results should show a "Credit," "Pass," or at least a grade of "C" in your English course. Example exams include:
  • West African Exam Council
  • Nigerian Examinations Council (NECO)
  • Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC)
• University-Level English: If you’ve taken at least one English class at a U.S. college or university, send an official transcript.

Sending Official Scores and Transcripts

Your test results and transcripts must be sent directly from the testing company or college to Hawkeye Community College Admissions to be considered official. Request them as early as possible to avoid delays.

At Hawkeye, all incoming students are required to demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, and math. Assessment in reading, writing, and math ensures you're placed in the right courses to support your success.

Placement Testing

If you’ve already taken the SAT, ACT, or another standardized test, send your official scores to Hawkeye’s Admissions Office for review.

If you haven’t taken a standardized test like the SAT or ACT, you’ll need to complete placement tests when you arrive:

• ACCUPLACER for reading and writing
• ALEKS for math

Waiving Test Requirements

You may not need to take the placement tests if you’ve successfully completed the following college-level courses at an accredited U.S. institution:

• English Composition (in-person)
• Transfer-level Math
• College-level Reading (in-person)

These requirements will only be waived after your official transcript has been received and reviewed by Hawkeye Community College.

Sending Official Scores and Transcripts

Your test results and transcripts must be sent directly from the testing company or college to Hawkeye Community College Admissions to be considered official. Request them as early as possible to avoid delays.

To complete your application, you’ll need to submit several important documents. All documents must be in English and can be sent via email to isp@hawkeyecollege.edu or securely uploaded.

Required documents include:

• High School (Secondary School) Transcript/Certificate: All high school documents need to be translated and evaluated. Refer to our Foreign Diploma and Transcript Evaluation guidelines.
• Copy of your Passport: A scanned color copy of the ID/photo page from your current passport.
• F-1 Visa Page: If you're a transfer student, provide a copy of your current F-1 visa.
• Financial Proof: Two months of bank statements dated within the past three months, showing a balance of $20,485 USD (check Xe Current Converter for live currency exchange rates). The bank statement must include an official bank stamp verifying authenticity.If the owner of the account is not the student, a Affidavit of Support form will need to be completed. Please request this form by emailing isp@hawkeyecollege.edu.)

After reviewing your application materials, we'll notify you of your admission status via the email provided in your application.

Upon acceptance, you'll receive your Form 1-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status", which is necessary to apply for an F-1 student visa to enter the United States.

To apply for an F-1 visa, schedule an appointment with a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your home country, and bring your Form I-20 along with any other required documents.

Note: International students are required to attend the institution listed on their Form I-20 and must complete at least one semester before transferring to another school. If you decide to attend a different institution after Hawkeye Community College has issued your Form I-20, contact us to update SEVIS.

It’s important to stay on top of application deadlines to ensure a smooth admission process. Plan ahead and make sure all your documentation is submitted on time. If you're applying from your home country, begin the process early to accommodate visa appointments and travel arrangements.

Remember, all international students must arrive on campus before the semester start date. Late enrollment is not an option.

For Fall Semester (August – December):

• New F-1 Students: Apply by June 30
• Transfer F-1 Students: Apply by July 31
• Semester Start Date: August 20, 2025

For Spring Semester (January – May):

• New F-1 Students: Apply by October 31
• Transfer F-1 Students: Apply by November 30
• Semester Start Date: January 12, 2026

1. Sign up and activate your account with University Express Mail Service (UEMS), also called e-ship global.
2. Click on “Send Documents.”
3. Select “Hawkeye Community College” and click “Continue.”
4. Choose “Student Services” and click “Continue.”
5. Fill in your address on the form.
6. Double-check your address and review the estimated costs. Make sure everything is correct because errors can delay the delivery and lead to extra charges.
7. Select your payment method and enter your payment details.
8. Print the receipt and label. Then, prepare the package and take it to the nearest FedEx, DHL, or UPS location based on the provider you picked.

Note: Do not contact FedEx, UPS, or DHL directly. You must use the e-ship global service for this process.

1. Sign up and activate your account with University Express Mail Service (UEMS), also called e-ship global.
2. Select the “Receive Documents” option.
3. Choose “Hawkeye Community College” and click “Continue.”
4. Select “Student Services” and click “Continue.”
5. In the “Reference/Comments” box, write what document you need. Examples include I-20, admission letter, etc.
6. Check your address and review the estimated costs. Make sure your information is correct. Mistakes can delay the mailing and may lead to extra charges.
7. Pick a provider. Depending on your location, FedEx, DHL, or UPS may be available.
8. Choose your payment method and complete the payment. Hawkeye Community College will process your shipment request once payment is made. You’ll receive a tracking number to follow your shipment.
9. You should receive your documents within 3–5 days after they're mailed.

Hawkeye will process your request within 1–2 business days.