Next Steps for Admitted Students

This is also called the "SEVIS fee." You must pay before you can schedule your visa appointment with the US Embassy. It is easiest to do this online if possible, with a credit card or debit card. Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are accepted.

• Have your I-20 available. You will need it to fill out the form. Make sure you are able to print from your computer, as you will need to print your receipt
• We have detailed instructions on how to pay the I-901 fee in our online orientation. 
• Once you submit your payment, a payment confirmation will be displayed, which is a I-797C form. Print this for your records.
• You can check on your payment, or reprint your confirmation by visiting the I-901 Fee website.

Once you have paid your I-901 fee and you have your I-797C proof of payment, you can schedule your visa appointment. Have your I-20 and I-797C ready.

• We have detailed information about how to schedule your visa appointment in our online orientation.
• To schedule your appointment, visit the US Embassy website and choose the embassy where you plan to have your interview.
• Once you are at the embassy website, choose "Visa" from the drop-down menu, and select the option "Apply for a non-immigrant Visa". Here you will find the instructions for scheduling an appointment. Remember, you are applying for a "non-immigrant" F-1 visa.

Email LCC International Programs at international@lowercolumbia.edu with the date of your scheduled visa appointment.

• We have advice about how to prepare for your interview and what to expect in our online orientation. 
• Read NAFSA's 10 Points to Remember When Applying for a Student Visa.
• Bring your Passport, I-20, I-797C, Proof of Financial Support, Admission Letter, transcripts, and any additional information listed on the embassy website or your appointment confirmation.
• If your visa is denied, you can re-apply for a visa by applying for another interview. Your I-901 fee payment is good for one year. Please see the Visa Denials web page for detailed information about denials and reapplying. Please note: LCC will only issue one additional I-20 if you postpone your attendance due to a visa denial.

Within one week of receiving your visa, you must reply to the offer of admission to confirm your intent to enroll at the college. You can confirm by email to international@lowercolumbia.edu.

See our housing page  for detailed information about housing options and costs.

You are required to inform us of your housing arrangements, regardless if you will live in Campus Housing or off-campus. If you have not confirmed your housing before the First Term Payment deadline, then your I-20 will be canceled. We cannot support students who arrive on campus who have not previously secured housing.

Admitted students will be provided a link to the Campus Housing Application.

If you will not live in LCC Campus Housing, then you submit the Notice of Off-Campus Living. 

After you submit the Campus Housing Application, you will be provided with a Campus Housing Agreement to review and sign.

We will provide you with instructions on how to activate your ctcLink. ctcLink is your student portal, which will generate your student ID, student email, and enable you to engage the LCC systems.

Admitted students will receive instructions from LCC International Programs on how to take these virtual placement tests. These tests help us place you in the appropriate class level.

Completion of these tests are required before you register for classes.

Schedule a virtual advising appointment with the LCC International Programs Office to register for classes.

After you have received your visa and before your arrival at LCC, you are required to pay the full tuition and fees for your first term. You will receive your First Term bill after you have been registered for classes. Please visit the How to Apply webpage  for your deadline, and the Tuition and Fees webpage  for details about the First Term Payment.

• Schedule your flight to arrive on new international student arrival day. Flights must be booked to arrive at Portland International Airport (PDX). If you have not arranged for us to pick you up, you will be required to arrange for your own transportation from the airport.
• Submit New Student Arrival Form. All students must report their arrival information. If you do not, we will not be prepared for your arrival, and may not be able to assist you.
• For your trip: make sure you bring your passport, I-20, I-797C, admission letter, and airport pick-up information. Bring it with you on the plane and do not put it with your checked baggage!

• Medical and dental expenses in the USA are very high. We recommend that you take care of the following before you depart your home country
  • Go to the dentist, get your teeth cleaned, and have any needed procedures done
  • Go to the doctor for a check-up, and get any prescription medication you may need to bring with you
  • If you wear glasses or contacts, get your eyes checked and know your prescription. If you need new glasses, get them at home. If you wear disposable contacts, get as many as you can to bring with you.
  • If you are in a program that will require vaccines (health fields, education) bring your proof of vaccination card with you to the USA.
• If you have any specific products you cannot live without (such as hair styling products or a favorite kind of face-wash) research if you can get it in the USA. If you cannot, you may want to bring some of this item with you.
• Research what you can and cannot bring into the USA. This is a great resource from the US Government: Don't Pack A Pest.
• If you have any traditional-style clothing from your culture, bring an outfit for culture celebration events
• You can get most anything in the USA, but it might vary from what you are accustomed to back home. Trying new things is part of the adventure of travel, so we encourage you to pack light. Here is a suggested packing list compiled by our current international students:
  • Laptop Computer (or money to buy one here)
  • Umbrella
  • Clothes for hot, warm, cool, and cold weather
  • Waterproof shoes
  • Your driver's license
  • Gym clothes / shoes
  • Hiking / outdoor clothes
  • Small trinkets from your home country to offer as gifts
  • A sense of humor