Welcome International Students!
Welcome to the United States, to Pittsburgh and to CCAC.
Studying in a new culture can be one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of your life. The Office of International Students (OIS) provides all the resources and support an international student needs to be successful and enjoy the CCAC experience.
CCAC values diversity in the student body, faculty members and in the various ideas that are discussed within the classroom. With this in mind, CCAC welcomes our international students with open arms. The Office of International Students offers many services to help you navigate the sometimes complicated process of studying abroad. Let OIS help you with:
- Application and enrollment
- Forms and deadlines
- Transferring from other schools
- Lodging and temporary living arrangements
The office also provides verification of student status to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), issues I-20s, and handles USCIS documentation needs.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ENROLLMENT Steps
I-20 Enrollments Steps
Complete the CCAC Application
- Complete your CCAC profile and CCAC Application for Admission online.
If you are applying for a student visa, please complete and submit the International Student Admissions application (F1/F2 visa).
Gather Information
- Provide a copy of your high school transcripts and proof of high school graduation translated into English.
- Provide copies of your official college transcripts, if applicable, translated into English.
- Check to see if outside college credits will transfer to CCAC.
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- Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)
101 W. Pleasant St., Suite 200
Milwaukee, WI 53212-3963
USA - World Education Services (WES)
Phone: (+1) 800.361.3106
Fax: (+1) 212.739.6100 - Either of these agencies will, for a fee, determine your coursework's compatibility with the United States educational system. Please request the detailed evaluation. The college will accept other transcript evaluator services as long as they are approved by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).
- Evaluations should be sent to transcripts@ccac.edu.
- Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)
- Provide the Student Sponsor Statement of Support, which is to be completed by the sponsor. (This document will be emailed to you.) NOTE: For prospective F1 students who have a third-party letter of guarantee, a secondary sponsor must complete the Affidavit of Support, accompanied by the required financial information.
- Provide the most recent four months of official bank statements of your sponsor(s), showing a minimum of $32,000 in available funds converted into U.S. dollars. There must be an additional $2,000 in U.S. dollars for each dependent, if applicable.
- Provide a copy of your official TOEFL test scores if you are living outside of the United States. (This is not required if you are living here in the U.S.)
- Provide a copy of your passport, visa and I-94 retrieval form.
Additional Forms
- Complete the Student Information sheet. (This sheet will be emailed to you.)
- Complete the FERPA Student Records Release, if applicable. (To access the form, click the link and then open "+Student Records.") We cannot discuss your status with any third party without your signed permission.
Send Us Your Documentation
- Send us a copy of your high school transcripts and proof of high school graduation translated into English.
- Send us copies of your official college transcripts, if applicable, translated into English.
- Send us your completed Student Sponsor Statement of Support.
- Send us the most recent four months of official bank statements of your sponsor(s), showing a minimum of $32,000 in available funds converted into U.S. dollars. There must be an additional $2,000 in U.S. dollars for each dependent, if applicable.
- Send us a copy of your official TOEFL test scores if you are living outside of the United States. (This is not required if you are living here in the U.S.)
- Send us a copy of your passport, visa and I-94 retrieval form (card).
Create your CCAC NETID & Password
Once admitted to CCAC, creating your CCAC NetID username and password will allow you to access important college resources—like CCAC Self-Service to plan your courses and view financial aid, the MyCCAC Hub, and more!
Need Help?
Participate in a New Student OnBoarding Session
CCAC provides a three-tiered orientation for new students:
- New Student Onboarding
- Online Orientation, completed before enrollment
- Wild Cat Welcome Week, which takes place during the week before classes begin
All new applicants are also invited to attend a virtual New Student Onboarding session, where they’ll learn to successfully complete the enrollment process, understand college expectations and resources, and navigate CCAC’s student systems.
Online Student Orientation
Before registering for classes, all new students are required to complete the Online Student Orientation. Click here to access it.
Prepare for Placement Tests
As a new student, you may need to take several placement tests before you register for classes.
These tests are not an entrance exam. They simply help you choose the right classes so you can succeed in college.
The tests are offered online, so you can take them anytime, anywhere.
Our Placement Testing page includes information about exemptions and accommodations, registration links, and additional resources.
Note to seniors in high school: Have your transcript sent ONLY after the first two grading periods or first semester of your senior year. Any transcript sent without those grades and GPA on it cannot be used for placement test exemptions.
Registration Welcome Center
Check in with Registration to initiate or reactivate your academic record. Please have your photo ID and proof of permanent residence with you. In some cases, you may be asked for additional documents to confirm your identity or residence.
Visit the Registration Welcome Center
Walk-in Service
Please walk in during regular operating hours at any of our locations. In-person appointments for photo IDs are available at Allegheny Campus, Boyce Campus, North Campus, South Campus, Homewood-Brushton Center and West Hills Center. Students will need to present a photo ID in order to complete registrations and schedule changes.
Meet Virtually
Meet with our team from the comforts of home through Zoom. When you join the Zoom session, please have your camera on and working. You will be placed into the waiting room. When a team member becomes available, they will bring you into the meeting. You will need to present a photo ID in order to complete identity verification and residency confirmation. The average wait time for the Virtual Welcome Center is five to 10 minutes. This wait time will increase during peak periods.
Academic advisors help students who are looking to graduate from CCAC with a career-focused degree. Advisors review your goals, help you to plan and schedule your classes, explain CCAC’s academic policy, and refer you to other CCAC resources. CCAC provides both in-person and virtual academic advising services to meet your busy schedule. New students in career majors are assigned to work with an advisor who will help them reach their goals.
Transfer counselors support students who plan to transfer to four-year colleges and universities to continue their education. Transfer counselors help you to identify the college you plan to attend after CCAC, select the major you intend to pursue, and plan and schedule classes that are transferable to four-year colleges and universities. CCAC provides both in-person and virtual academic transfer counseling services to meet your busy schedule. New students in transfer majors are assigned to work with a transfer counselor who will help them reach their goals.
Pay for Classes
Log in to the Online Student Account Center to pay for your classes. Visit this page to see the payment due dates. You can also click to view the complete listing of tuition and fees.
CCAC Wild Cat Welcome Week
Wild Cat Welcome Week is our in-person student orientation. It is the best time to get familiar with your campus, learn about services available to you, and find out any information you are looking for.
F1 Transfer Students
- Complete the above steps AND provide a copy of your current I-20.
- Submit the International Student Officer's Report, which will be given upon completion of the CCAC International Application and placement testing, if required.
Student Housing
CCAC does not provide housing for students.
The webpages listed below offer listings for apartments and other real estate rentals.
If your family is coming to Pittsburgh to visit and they need to make accommodations for a stay that is close and convenient to the campuses of CCAC, here are a few smart choices. The four hotels listed below are in perfect locations. All of them are estimated to cost between $109 and $119 per night, depending on the day of the week and availability. If interested in these convenient locations, call the numbers listed below for details:
- Greentree Radisson: 101 Marriott Drive, 412.922.8400 (free shuttle to and from Pittsburgh International Airport)
- Hampton Inn: 555 Trumbull Drive, 412.922.0100 (free shuttle to downtown Pittsburgh and the North Shore)
- Clarion Hotel: 401 Holiday Drive, 412.922.8100
- Quality Inn: 700 Mansfield Avenue, 412.279.6300