Download Full Catalog - Lamar State College - Port Arthur

Page | 12International Student AdmissionStudents from other countries holding a visa other than a permanent resident visa are considered “InternationalStudents.” Applicants may be accepted for admission and a Form I-20 issued when all of these requirements are met:a) application for admission;b) official secondary school record and official college transcript (if applicable);c) evidence of sufficient financial support for the academic year by submitting anI-134 (affidavit of support), an Immigration and Naturalization Services document; andd) adequate proof of competency in English or a score of 500 or better on the Test of English as a Foreign Language(TOEFL), administered by the College Entrance Examination Board, PO Box 899, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, U.S.A.Scores must be received directly from Educational Testing Service (ETS). Photocopies or student copies of test scores willnot be accepted.Transfer students who are out of status must file reinstatement for F-1 status with the Immigration andNaturalization Service before they can enroll. Students denied reinstatement will be administratively withdrawn fromclasses and will be subject to the refund policy in effect at the time of withdrawal.In fulfillment of immigration regulations, a student must enroll in a full-time course of study that will lead to theattainment of specific educational objectives.A full-time course load is defined as “a minimum of 12 semester hours.”Application deadlines for students requiring I-20s are:Fall Semester – April 15Spring Semester – September 1Summer Sessions – January 15International students must also present proof of adequate health insurance.Internationals who plan to drive an automobile in the state of Texas must have liability insurance.Special application forms and details on admission procedures at Lamar State College-Port Arthur may be secured bywriting to the Office of Admission and Records.High School Co-EnrollmentA student who has completed the sophomore year of high school may enroll in college-level courses upon therecommendation of the high school principal.The per semester class load of such a student is limited. The Vice President for Academic Affairs may grantexceptions to the rule under special circumstances that indicate a student is capable of college-level work, based onfactors such as grade-point average, ACT or SAT scores and other assessment indicators.Students must comply with TSI requirements.Tech Prep and ArticulationA student who earned college credit while in high school under Tech Prep or Articulation agreements may petition forthe credit through the Dean of Technical Programs in Room 119A of the Madison Monroe Building.Special AdmissionA person age 18 or older may be exempt from the admission requirements and be admitted on “individual approval,”provided the admitting officer is convinced the applicant’s record shows ability to carry the College work assigned.Students admitted on this condition are subject to the same policies and rules as all other students.Senior 55+ ProgramThe Senior 55+ Program offers special financial incentives to people age 55 or older, who would like to take a courseor courses for personal enrichment. The College may offer class sections that are specifically designed for participants inthe program.Seniors may also take other courses listed in the class schedule; registration for these classes will be contingent uponspace available, with priority given to students seeking a certificate or degree.Texas Higher Education Assessment TestThe Texas State Education Code requires that all students “…who enter public institutions of higher education in thefall of 1989 and thereafter must be tested for reading, writing and mathematics skills.”The Texas Success Initiative is an instructional program designed to ensure all students attending public institutionsof higher education in Texas have the reading, mathematics and writing skills needed to perform effectively in collegelevelcoursework. The program was developed in response to growing evidence in Texas and other states that significantnumbers of college students and graduates lack some of these basic academic skills. Approved tests for TSI purposeswith their five components -- diagnostic testing, advisement, placement, remediation and program evaluation – are usedto identify under-prepared students and assist them in attaining the skills necessary for success in college study.