Welcome to Mississippi!

If you’re planning to apply to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College from another country, please follow the instructions below.

The submission deadline for all required admission documents is July 1 for the fall semester and November 1 for the spring semester. International students are not accepted during the summer semester.

1. Application

   Complete the Application for Admission. An application fee of $250.00 and an administrative fee of $100.00 (per semester) for international students will automatically be added to your account.

2. Submit Your Health Records

   Provide proof of immunization against Measles, Mumps, and Rubella. In addition, the State of Mississippi requires all new foreign applicants to be screened for Tuberculosis by a local office of the Mississippi Department of Public Health. This screening must be completed within two weeks of your arrival to the US.

3. Prove English Proficiency

   If English is not the native language of the applicant, ONE of the following is required:

   1. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of at least 500 on the paper based, 61 on Internet Based (iBT), and 173 on the computer based test. Test only valid within 2 years prior to enrollment.
   2. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) academic test score of at least 6.0. Test only valid within 2 years prior to enrollment.
   3. SAT verbal score of 500 or an ACT English score of 20. Test only valid within 2 years prior to enrollment.
   4. Completion of a secondary international school (such as the International Baccalaureate or an American high school abroad) in which English is the language of instruction, with a minimum grade equivalent to a C in all of their English courses and with attendance in the final three years offered. Verification from a school official to prove English is the language of instruction may be required.
   5. A grade of “C” or better in English Composition I and English Composition II, transferred from a regionally accredited university or college within the United States.
   6. Proven proficiency in English following completion of an English as a Second Language (ESL), English Language Institute, or Intensive English Language Program provided through a U.S. college or university designed for non-native born students. A letter of recommendation from the program director indicating the student has achieved “proficiency satisfactory to enroll in and successfully complete college work and is able to converse and communicate intelligibly and effectively” must accompany certification of completion.
   7. Other English proficiency tests or programs may be accepted at the discretion of the campus DSO or PDSO. The DSO or PDSO may also require additional assessment variations to prove English proficiency (i.e. phone conversation, etc.).

4. Submit Your Transcript(s)

   Submit complete, official scholastic transcript(s) translated into English and evaluated by an approved credentialing agency (graduation/completion dates must be listed). You can find an approved Credentialing Agency by visiting NACES^*.

   Applicants who have not received a degree equivalent to a U.S. high school diploma may submit a passing High School Equivalency Exam (HSE) test score. Transcripts from colleges or universities outside of the United States must be submitted to an approved evaluation service for translation and evaluation.

   If the student would like to have credit applied towards a degree at MGCCC, the evaluation service* must provide course comparisons for the appropriate courses. Results should be mailed directly to the Office of Admissions at the appropriate campus. This process will take four to six weeks and the college must receive the evaluation prior to the four week admissions deadline. Transfer credit from a foreign institution will be considered for acceptance if a course-by-course evaluation is obtained from an agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). NACES identifies foreign colleges/universities meeting the highest standards for accreditation in their countries.

   You can find an approved Credentialing Agency by visiting NACES.

   *The evaluation service is at the expense of the student. Most commonly used providers are WES, GCE, and SpanTran. SpanTran offers MGCCC applicants a discount. Visit SpanTran to complete the Evaluation Request Form.

5. Submit Your US College Transcript(s) if applicable

   Submit official transcripts from regionally accredited colleges or universities (if applicable). Applicants who have completed 12 or more semester hours of college level from regionally accredited colleges or universities are required to submit only their United States transcripts.

6. Submit Your Passport

   Provide a copy of the applicant’s passport with an effective date through the first six months of enrollment.

7. Submit Affidavit of Support

   Download the Affidavit of Support form below. This form must be notarized at a bank (or attach an official signed bank letter), indicating available American funds sufficient for tuition, transportation, and room and board for at least the first year of the student’s enrollment. ($14,590.00 US Dollars)

   Download the Affidavit of Support Form

8. Apply for Housing

   Student housing is only available on the Perkinston Campus. To secure campus housing at the Perkinston Campus, complete the online housing application and submit a $50.00 application fee. Residence hall rooms are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

   Please note that residence halls are closed during college scheduled breaks and holidays. Students will not be allowed to remain in campus housing during these times and must make their own housing arrangements for scheduled breaks and holidays.

9. Schedule an Interview

   Prior to acceptance, applicants must schedule a personal interview with the campus DSO and/or selected instructors to determine the student’s ability to perform in the chosen field of study.

10. Pay the 1-901 SEVIS Fee

    All international students applying for F-1 status are required to pay the SEVIS 1-901 Fee. This is separate from visa fees and school SEVIS administration fees. Payment is accepted on FMJFEE’s website.

11. Your Form I-20

    Upon meeting the preliminary admission requirements, the Admissions Office will mail you a copy of the Form I-20. This is a very important document that designates your eligibility for nonimmigrant student status at MGCCC. The PDSO and DSOs of the institution reserve the right to deny admission to any international applicant according to College Catalog policy.

12. Apply for a Nonimmigrant Visa

    Complete the online visa application (don’t forget a photo of yourself in the correct format) and schedule an interview with a consular officer at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you live.

    You must present the Form 1-20 to the consular officer at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate when you attend your visa interview. Please consult the instructions on the embassy or consulate website. Wait times for appointments vary, so apply early!

13. Submit scores for course placement

    For course placement purposes, all freshmen must submit ACT scores or take the Accuplacer.

14. Transfer Students

    If you are an F-1 student transferring to MGCCC from another SEVIS approved US institution, you must meet all admission requirements listed above prior to acceptance and new I-20 being generated. You must be in legal status as an F-1 student and transfer in to the next available start term. If the transfer does not occur within the next available start term, the transfer must occur within 5 months of your program end date of your current institution. The International Student Transfer Form must be completed/submitted to the campus DSO and your SEVIS record must be transferred to the appropriate MGCCC campus.

15. Right to Deny Admission

    The PDSO and DSOs of the institution reserve the right to deny admission to any international applicant according to College Catalog policy.