Please read the following frequently asked questions regarding advising, travel and student requests:
Yes, DVC will accept a final transcript and a letter from the school.
Your high school should be able to issue you a transcript of your academic record, even if the school is closed. Please notify the international office at your college if you have difficulty getting a transcript.
The following tests can be taken from home in your country:
Financial support evidence is not needed for new students who enroll in online courses from outside of the U.S. for Fall 2020. Financial support evidence will be required, however, to be issued an I-20 and obtain an F-1 visa for on-campus, in-person instruction for Spring 2021. Your college will communicate with you about this process. If you are transferring from a U.S. institution, please contact the international office at your college for guidance about financial support evidence, a transfer I-20 and maintaining F-1 status.
We are no longer issuing I-20s for Fall 2020 for new students outside of the U.S. given that we are planning for a combination of fully online and hybrid courses. Students who are transferring into DVC from other schools will be issued a DVC I-20.
For Spring 2021, yes.
No. You only need to apply for an F-1 visa for studies in the U.S.
New students admitted for Fall 2020 who are outside of the U.S. should remain in their home country and, therefore, do not need a student visa.
Yes, an updated I-20 will be issued with a new program start date.
No, you would only pay one I-20 mailing fee.
If you have already been issued an I-20 for Fall 2020 yet have not obtained a visa, it is strongly recommended that you prepare updated financial support documentation for the visa appointment.
Most likely not. Please check the visa expiration date on your visa. You do not need a new visa if your current visa is valid past the date of entry into the U.S.
Mostly, though each class will have its own schedule. Students should check the scheduling notes to determine if a given class schedule includes synchronous instruction. Synchronous instruction would be on Pacific Standard (California) Time. See #2 below.
Students can book appointments online. Online drop-in counseling is also available. Please visit your college’s Counseling Center website for details.
Newly admitted fall term 2020 students who are taking classes online from home are not required to enroll in a full course of study from outside of the U.S. However, we strongly encourage full-time enrollment due to the temporary provisions of U.S. immigration policy guidance during COVID-19. For additional questions, please contact the international student office at your college.
$346 per unit.
Students should pay the tuition for their online classes as soon as possible. However, if they need to pay in installments or wait to pay, they will not be charged late payment fees. Students should note that if they have a balance on their account, a registration hold will be placed on their account, which will block them from being able to register for the following term. Once the tuition has been paid, this hold will be automatically removed from their account.
Yes, students may try online classes for several sessions. Students are allowed to drop an online course at no charge. The deadline to drop a course is September 7 for the Fall 2020 semester.
Yes, free online tutoring is available to all students through any Canvas course.
Yes. We will update future students (admitted for Fall 2020) when we have details about this online orientation.
Students must contact the ISO through the ISO email iso@dvc.edu. Please provide your full name and student ID number when emailing the ISO. You will receive a response in 1-3 business days.
PLEASE NOTE: All requests must be made using your DVC InSite email. Requests will
not be processed if they are sent from a personal email address.
Stay connected:
Insite: www.4cd.edu/insite
Instagram: isoatdvc
Facebook: DVC International Student Office – ISO
Email: iso@dvc.edu
If you plan to travel outside of the US and are returning to the US, make sure to monitor travel restrictions and advisories:
Due to COVID-19 social distancing measures, DVC is currently offering all courses and student services remotely. All summer term 2020 courses will be offered online. All fall term 2020 classes will be offered online or a hybrid format. Because courses will be offered online, students are permitted to take these classes online from their home countries or inside the US. Current students will need to maintain a full course load (12 units minimum) to maintain active F-1 status.
You need to have the following documents with you when entering the US:
Due to COVID-19, Customs and Border Patrol (US Immigration) is accepting I-20s with electronic or digital signatures and/or copies of signed I-20’s at the port of entry. Therefore, you can request a signed copy of your I-20 to be emailed to your Insite email account and you do not need to have your original document signed.
If you plan to return home, you must notify the ISO via email: iso@dvc.edu . Include your full name and DVC ID number, as well as a description of your plan. We can keep your I-20 active if you continue full-time studies. During this time, you are permitted to be outside the US for more than five months and still keep an active I-20, as long as you are enrolled in at least 12 units.
No. Other than a valid passport, you do not need any documents or signatures to exit the US. You must inform the ISO via email if you plan to leave the US and discontinue or pause your studies.
Yes. Due to the current situation, US Immigration is allowing online instruction for F-1 students. You are permitted to take partial or fully online courses at this time. If and when schools resume normal in-person operations in a future term, existing F-1 regulations regarding online course limits will apply.
You can request your SEVIS I-20 transfer process remotely, through email. Simply send us an email (iso@dvc.edu) from your Insite email account. Attach a copy of your admission notice from the university in .pdf format (no .jpegs or other file types please).
Please include the following information:
We will transfer/release your SEVIS I-20 record on the last day of the spring term
(5/22/20).
Your new school will be in contact with you regarding sending you either a copy or
original new I-20.
When you return to the US, you will need the following documents:
After we receive your email request to transfer, we will reply to you with confirmation that the process is complete.
You can request your SEVIS I-20 transfer process remotely, through email. Simply send us an email (iso@dvc.edu) from your Insite email account. Attach a copy of your admission notice from the university in .pdf format (no .jpegs or other file types please).
Please include the following information:
We will transfer/release your SEVIS I-20 record on the last day of the spring term (5/22/20). Your new school will be in contact with you regarding sending you either a copy or original new I-20. After we receive your email request to transfer, we will reply to you with confirmation that the process is complete.
All international students are required to have health insurance. Therefore you do have health insurance and are currently covered through August 9, 2020. If you are staying in the US for fall, you will be insured with a coverage start date of August 10, 2020. You will not be charged the insurance fee if you return home to study for the fall.
If you have not downloaded your insurance card, you should do this now.
Please visit the GeoBlue Website to download your insurance card.If you have any problems downloading your insurance card, please email the International Student Office at iso@dvc.edu. Please provide your DVC student ID number and full name.
Please visit the GeoBlue phone app or website for information on how to make an appointment to see a doctor.
Send an email to iso@dvc.edu including your full name and DVC ID number. Please describe what you are requesting and attach any forms you need completed in pdf format. We will only accept requests and attachments from Insite email accounts (your school email address).
Zoom advising sessions will be available during regular advising appointment hours. Schedule a 15 minute appointment online through the website: www.dvc.edu/international
While advising services will be offered remotely, you will still be able to obtain authorization for below units (if eligible) as well as a full range of other advising topics and resources. Topics include: F1 Immigration Regulations, Travel, SEVIS Transfer, Employment Authorization (CPT & OPT), Health Insurance, and Below Unit Authorization (see "Can I get permission to be below 12 units" for more details.)
