Enrollment Steps for Non-US Citizen Students

For non-US citizens who wish to enroll at Durham Tech, follow these enrollment steps. For questions regarding your immigration status and beyond, please contact the International Student Advisors and we will do our best to support you.

To schedule an appointment, contact the Center for the Global Learner at (919) 536-7264, ext. 3228, or email international@durhamtech.edu.

1.  Choose Your Program

View the list of Program and Pathways. For students whose first language is not US English, English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses can help improve your higher-level English skills necessary for to successfully complete coursework for your chosen program.

2.  Complete Online Application and Residency Determination

Complete an Online Application to the College (CFNC).

Complete Online Application

If you attended high school out of the US, follow these instructions (pdf) to complete the educational section of the application.

View information about enrollment due dates.

During the application, students are required to submit evidence of residency status when completing a college application. The process is completed online through the Residency Determination Service (RDS)

High school seniors who have not yet graduated receive provisional acceptance to the college once they have completed the enrollment application and residency determination.


Undocumented Applicants

Durham Tech Admissions Policy for Undocumented Applicants follows the guidelines per the State Board of Community Colleges Code “23 SBCCC 02C .0301 Admission to Colleges”.

  • Durham Tech can admit undocumented applicants only if they graduated from a US public high school, private high school or home school that operates in compliance with State or local law.

  • Durham Tech will not classify any undocumented applicants as NC residents for tuition purposes; therefore, all undocumented applicants will be charged the out-of-state tuition rate

    When completing the Residency Determination Service (RDS), respond "NO" to the first question of “Do you claim to be a North Carolina resident?”. For assistance completing the residency application, contact (919) 835-2290 or visit ncresidency.org.

  • Undocumented students will not be able to register for classes until after late registration (right before classes begin).

3.  Submit Proof of Completion of a Degree

Submit proof of completion of a High School Diploma or Equivalent, or a College Degree. Any documents not in English must be accompanied by an official English Translation. If you are not sure what documents to provide, email international@durhamtech.edu.


Documents from Outside the US

Submit official high school degree, diploma, national test scores, or official college/university degree or diploma to the Center for the Global Learner by:

  • Submitting Documents Online
  • Delivering Documents In-Person (White (Building 1), Room 1-148)
  • Sending Documents via Mail (1637 E. Lawson St, Durham, NC 27703)
     

To earn Transfer Credit for courses taken outside the US, students must submit an official course by course evaluation by an acceptable company. The company should send the evaluation directly (electronically or by mail) to Durham Tech, or students can submit the official evaluation in a sealed, unopened envelope to the Admissions, Registration and Records office (Wynn Center (Building 10), Room 10-201).

English language or literature courses will not transfer from any country outside the US.


Educational Documents from the US

Submit sealed, official US high school or college/university transcripts by:

  • Delivering Documents In-Person (Wynn Center (Building 10), Room 1-201)
  • Sending Documents via Mail (1637 E. Lawson St, Durham, NC 27703)
  • Submitting through an approved transcript service such as College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC), Credential Solutions, DiplomaSender, National Student Clearinghouse, Parchment, Scribbles, or any other authorized electronic transcript service provider approved by the College to transcripts@durhamtech.edu.
     

Transfer credit will be issued for college/university courses completed that meet the Transfer Credit Award procedure. Original US diplomas (as proof of admission) can be presented only in person at the Admissions, Registration and Records office.

4.  Submit Valid Immigration Documents

Submit immigration documents (see chart below) to International Student Services/Center for the Global Learner (Building 1, room 1-148) or via the Secure Electronic Document Submission System. Copies of documents can also be submitted by mail to Durham Tech, International Student Services, 1637 E. Lawson St, Durham, NC 27703.

If your status is not listed, contact International Student Services for more information.

*If you changed your status in the US, submit an approval notice instead of a visa stamp. Print your I-94 via this website.

J-1: Visa stamp*, passport, I-94, DS-2019s

F-2: Visa stamp*, passport, I-94, I-20

J-2: Visa stamp*, passport, I-94, DS-2019sAsylee: I-94 OR Approval notice OR (if pending) EAD & receipt
TPS: EAD/Work Permit and/or Approval NoticeRefugee: I-94 OR Refugee Approval document
H-1B: Visa stamp*, passport, I-94, approval noticePermanent Resident: Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
H-4: Visa stamp*, passport, I-94,approval notice; all H-1B docsDACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals): EAD/Work permit and/or I-821 Approval Notice
5.  Apply for Financial Aid

Apply for Financial Aid. Only some non-US citizens can qualify for Financial Aid. You must be admitted to a program to receive financial aid. Visiting students do not qualify. Visit the Financial Aid office in the Wynn Center (Building 10), room 10-210. Durham Tech’s school code: 005448.

6.  Complete a New Student Orientation

Complete a New Student Orientation. Recommended, but not required, for all new students

7.  Take Placement Tests (English, Math, Computer, and English Speaking, if needed)

Take Placement Tests (English, Math, Computer, and English Speaking, if needed)

  • Talk to an advisor to see if you require placement testing. Some recent US high school graduates do not need to take tests.
  • All students who have not earned a US high school diploma, have not taken college level English in the US, or do not have adequate AP, SAT, or ACT scores will need to take the Accuplacer ESL test (reading, language use, sentence meaning, and listening).
  • Health Technologies program applicants should consult with a Health Tech advisor to go over additional testing requirements.
  • Testing is in Wynn Center (Building 10), room 10-300 by appointment. Bring a photo ID and your student ID number. Schedules and test prep materials are online.
8.  Meet with an Advisor and Register for Courses
  • If you took the Accuplacer ESL test, after your test you will meet with an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Advisor in the CGL (Building 1, room 148). They will talk to you about your English placement and register you for EFL classes if needed.
  • If you tested out of taking EFL classes, you may need additional testing before you meet with an academic advisor.
  • If you did not need the Accuplacer ESL test due to AP, SAT, or ACT scores or US college English credit, you can meet with an academic advisor in the Advising Center located in the Wynn Center (Building 10), room 10-200. 
9.  Pay for Courses

If you do not pay by your registration deadline, your courses will be deregistered.

Scholarships

  • If you are a recent graduate of Durham or Orange County/Chapel Hill-Carrboro High Schools, you may qualify for Durham Tech Promise for up to $2,000 (over four semesters).
  • Most financial need-based and merit-based Scholarships at Durham Tech are for students who have already taken classes at Durham Tech.  A few scholarships for new students are available if students apply during the March 15 - April 15 application period prior to beginning at Durham Tech. New students who are awarded scholarships must meet the scholarship criteria at the time they are awarded. 
  • Learn more about scholarship opportunities for all immigration statuses.