How to attend Gadsden State!
To apply to Gadsden State and ALI, potential students must complete an Application Packet. Students transferring from a school in the U.S. must complete the Application Packet and the Transfer Clearance Form.
An international student must apply for admission to Gadsden State before enrolling in a course. Find out about the admission procedure and requirements below.
To be admitted to Gadsden State Community College, an international student must submit to the International Programs Office each of the following:
- Official transcript of high school record, showing that the average grade was at least C. Certified English translation must accompany any transcript which is not in English.
- Competence in the English language as evidenced by a TOEFL (Test of English as a Second Language) score of at least 61(iBT) or 500(IPT); IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of 5.5; or STEP (Society for Testing English Proficiency) Eiken score Pre-First. (see the exceptions below);
- Medical Record Form, including current TB test, completed and signed by a physician attesting to the student's good health; and
- Affidavit of Support in the form of a certified statement from a person who assumes full responsibility for the student's financial support and a bank letter from the sponsor's bank.
Evidence of Competence in the English language Exception #1: (1) A student from a country where English is the native language or from a country exempt from the TOEFL; or (2) a student who has graduated from an accredited high school in the United States or from an accredited American high school overseas; or (3) a student who is applying for admission to the Alabama Language Institute (ALI). For more information on the ALI program, click here.
Evidence of Competence in the English language Exception #2: A transfer student who has successfully completed English Composition 101 or higher with a grade of C or above from a regionally accredited institution is exempt from the TOEFL.
Evidence of Competence in the English language Exception #3: Students may enroll in the College who have (1) completed at least one sixteen-week term in the Alabama Language Institute at the highest levels (Levels 5 & 6) in Speaking/Listening, Reading, Grammar, Composition, and either Vocabulary 2 or TOEFL Strategies; (2) passed all five skill areas with at least a “B”; and (3) has a written recommendation from the ALI faculty to enter college.
Notice # 1: A transfer student (that is, a student who has attended one or more U. S. colleges and/or universities other than GSCC, and who wishes to pursue an education at GSCC, must also ensure that an official academic record transcript is sent directly to GSCC by the Registrar of each college and/or university that the student attended. In addition, the student must submit to the International Programs Office a completed Transfer Clearance Form.
Notice #2: Academic credits earned at a foreign university must be evaluated bya NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) affiliated evaluation service. The credentialing entity should send the evaluation directly to Gadsden State Community College, Registrar, P.O. BOX 227, Gadsden, AL 35902-0227.
Notice #3: In order to comply with Alabama Community College System requirements, all students holding an F-1 or M-1 visa must purchase health insurance approved through Gadsden State International Programs Office. Insurance must be maintained during all periods of enrollment, vacation and OPT.
Notice #4: A student from a country whose students have experienced difficulty in obtaining funds may be required by GSCC to deposit the required educational funds with the College when the student applies for admission. These funds, which will be held in trust for the student, will be controlled by the College and will be expended in accordance with the student's needs.
Complete the Application Packet and mail to:
International Programs
Gadsden State Community College
P.O. Box 227
Gadsden, AL 35902
For UPS, FedEx or DHL delivery:
International Programs
Gadsden State Community College
1001 George Wallace Drive
Gadsden, AL 35903
Upon acceptance, the student will receive an I-20 for obtaining a Student F-1 Visa and an acceptance letter along with detailed instructions for applying for an F-1 or M-1 visa. It is important to note that a student on an F-1 or M-1 visa must observe all regulations of the Department of Homeland Security, including the requirement that the student must be enrolled full time.
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2021/2022
Estimated Expenses for College Students
(1 Semester = 16 weeks)
| Estimated College Expenses | Fall Semester (Aug. 23, 2021 – Jan. 6, 2022) |
Spring Semester (Jan. 7, 2022 – May 31, 2022) |
Summer Semester (June 1, 2022 – Aug. 12, 2022) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1. Tuition (12 credit hours at $287.00 per credit hour)* |
$3,444 | $3,444 | $3,444 |
| 2. Books and supplies** | $ 800 | $ 800 | $ 800 |
| 3. Medical Insurance*** |
$ 545 |
$ 545 |
$ 218 |
| 4. Room and board**** | $2,400 | $2,400 | $1,500 |
| One time dorm deposit | $ 200 | $ 200 | $ 200 |
| TOTALS | $7,389 | $7,389 | $6,162 |
Estimated cost for 2 semesters: $14,778 ($200 dorm deposit is one time only) (June-August not included).
Personal spending varies, but $225 per month is average.
Explanation of expenses for each item listed above:
- Full time course load in college: minimum 12 credit hours (4 classes, 3 credit hours each; Number of semester credit hours may vary based on types of courses taken).
- Note: In order to graduate in two years, a student must plan to take a minimum of 16 credit hours per semester. One (1) credit hour cost is $287
This is an estimated amount.
- Insurance coverage is required during the entire year.
- Cost of medical insurance per year is $1,308. Fall Semester is $545, Spring Semester is $545 and Summer Semester is $218.
- Eyeglasses/dental services are not covered by medical insurance.
- A one-time refundable deposit of $200 is required if staying in the Residence Hall.
- Cafeteria is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner from Monday through Friday and closed weekends and holidays. Transportation off campus is provided on these days.
- Summer Semester (10 weeks) room and board fees are $1,500.
NOTE: Additional expenses include expenses between semesters and on holidays, clothes, laundry, and personal needs. If the student lives off-campus and/or purchases a car, additional expenses will exceed the average.
Important Information
Room and board is not guaranteed until paid in full. Tuition and medical insurance must be paid in full at the time of registration. These expenses can be paid by money order, cash, credit card (Visa, Master Card or American Express), traveler’s checks, or by a cashier’s check from a U.S. bank or institution, or wire transfer.
TUITION AND FEES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE
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2021/2022
Estimated Expenses for Alabama Language Institute
(1 Semester = 16 weeks)
| Estimated College Expenses | Fall Semester (Aug. 23, 2021 – Jan. 6, 2022) |
Spring Semester (Jan. 7, 2022 – May 31, 2022) |
Summer Semester (June 1, 2022 – Aug. 12, 2022) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1. Tuition (15 credit hours at $287 per credit hour)* |
$4,305 | $4,305 | $4,305 |
| 2. Books and supplies** | $ 350 | $ 350 | $ 350 |
| 3. Medical Insurance |
$ 514 |
$ 514 |
$ 284 |
| 4. Room and board**** | $2,400 | $2,400 | $1,500 |
| One time dorm deposit | $ 200 | $ 200 | $ 200 |
| TOTALS | $7,358 | $7,358 | $6,228 |
Estimated cost for 2 semesters: $14,516 ($200 dorm deposit is one time only) (June-August not included).
Personal spending varies, but $225 per month is average.
Explanation of expenses for each item listed above:
- Core curriculum program: 18 hours per week (15 hours of language classes and 3 hours of Directed Laboratory). Cost per one (1) credit hour is $287.
This is an estimated amount.
- Insurance coverage is required during the entire year.
- Cost of medical insurance per year is $1,312. Fall Semester is $514, Spring Semester is $514 and Summer Semester is $284.
- Eyeglasses/dental services are not covered by medical insurance.
- A one-time refundable deposit of $200 is required if staying in the Residence Hall.
- Cafeteria is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner from Monday through Friday and closed weekends and holidays. Transportation off campus is provided on these days.
- Summer Semester (10 weeks) room and board fees are $1,500.
NOTE: Additional expenses include expenses between semesters and on holidays, clothes, laundry, and personal needs. If the student lives off-campus and/or purchases a car, additional expenses will exceed the average.
Important Information
Room and board is not guaranteed until paid in full. Tuition and medical insurance must be paid in full at the time of registration. These expenses can be paid by money order, cash, credit card (Visa, Master Card or American Express), traveler’s checks, or by a cashier’s check from a U.S. bank or institution, or wire transfer.
TUITION AND FEES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE
ALI courses provide practice in all four major language skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking. Students are given a computerized placement test, interview and written diagnostic during the student’s first term and are then placed into the appropriate level according to scores on the ESL Placement test.
ALI Contact Information: 256-549-8389
The Alabama Language Institute curriculum includes the following courses, which are considered pre-college courses. Students receive 3 credit hours per each course. When students arrive, they will take a placement assessment that places them in the appropriate courses for their levels. An F-1 Visa student must enroll in 15 credit hours (5 courses) and complete Directed Lab.
| Level 1/2: Beginning | Level 3/4: Intermediate | Level 5/6: Advanced | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grammar | Grammar | Grammar | 3 |
| Reading | Reading | Reading | 3 |
| Composition | Composition | Composition | 3 |
| Listening/Speaking | Listening/Speaking | Listening/Speaking | 3 |
| Vocabulary 1 or Pronunciation | Vocabulary 1 or Pronunciation | Vocabulary 2 or TOEFL Strategies | 3 |
| Directed Lab* | Directed Lab* | Directed Lab* |
*All F-1 Visa students are required to complete 3 hours of independent Directed Lab per week as directed by their instructors.
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| Time | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. | Pronunciation | Pronunciation | |||
| 9:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. | Reading | Speaking/Listening | Reading | Speaking/Listening | Directed Lab |
| 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. | Composition | Grammar | Composition | Grammar | Directed Lab |
| 12:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | Directed Lab |
| 1:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. | Vocabulary | Directed Lab | Vocabulary | Directed Lab | |
| 3 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. | Directed Lab | Directed Lab | Directed Lab | Directed Lab |
ALI grade point average will not be included in the student’s grade point average for future college courses; however, ALI grades will appear on the student’s Gadsden State transcript.
All international students at Gadsden State are advised regarding SEVP regulations by the Office of International Programs. In addition, the ALI faculty members are available to advise students about ALI courses, schedules and entering college after completing ALI requirements.
While studying in the United States, it is important to maintain your F or M student status. Your status relates to the purpose, or reason for why you want to come to the United States. The U.S. Department of State issues you your visa based on your intended purpose. Learn more at studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students/maintaining-status
Studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students — Prospective and current F or M students can use information and resources on this page to learn about the process for becoming an international student and the rules for studying in the United States as an international student.
ALI offers 16-week terms in the fall and the spring and a 10-week term in the summer following the same schedule as Gadsden State Community College.
Alabama Language Institute
2021/2022
| Semester (16 weeks) | Year | Arrival | Begin | End |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | 2021 | August 18 | August 23 | December 17 |
| Spring | 2022 | January 5 | January 7 | May 7 |
| Summer (10 weeks) | 2022 | May 25 | June 1 | August 10 |
Gadsden State is an Internet Based TOEFL (iBT) Testing Center as well as an Institutional Paper-delivered TOEFL (IPT) Testing Center. The institutional Paper-delivered (IPT) TOEFL is administered at the close of each semester in the fall, spring and summer.