Welcome to the International Center

You must submit proof that you have completed high school or its foreign equivalent. Please submit one of the following:

• A copy of your high school diploma or high school transcripts showing your graduation date.
• If you are in your senior year of high school at the time of the application, submit your transcripts of all years of high school and a letter from your high school official indicating your graduation date. A copy of the diploma must be submitted by the start of your first semester of study at BHCC.
• A copy of a bachelor's degree or master's degree diploma showing the date of degree conferral.
• Cambridge O level or Cambridge IGCSE or UK GCSE (or its equivalents) can be submitted as proof of high school completion – You must have completed at least five subjects with a grade C (or 3) or better to be considered for admission.
• Official GED/HiSET certificate. Learn more about the General Educational Development (GED) test here. Learn more about the High School Equivalency Test (HiSET) here.

If documents are not in English, a translation from a translation agency must be submitted as well. ALL translated documents must include the stamp/seal and signature of the official translator.

If English is not your first language, you must submit proof of at least an intermediate level of English proficiency.

We accept minimum test scores as follows:

• 38 on the TOEFL iBT
• 5 on TOEFL Essentials
• 5 on the IELTS
• Level 3 on iTEP
• 38 on the PTE
• 2A on EIKEN
• B1 on Cambridge English Assessment
• 75 on the Duolingo English Test
• 40 on the Michigan English Test
• B2 on LanguageCert Assessment

Test scores are valid for two years.

The English proficiency requirement can also be satisfied by meeting ONE of the following conditions and providing the required documents listed:

• If you have previously attended another college/university with English as a primary language of instruction, and you have completed the course(s) in developmental reading or writing or college-level English composition/writing with a grade of C or better, you can submit an unofficial transcript from your prior institution.
• If you have completed four years of high school in which English is the primary language of instruction submit a transcript and a letter from your high school principal attesting to your language proficiency and confirming that English was the language of instruction.
• If you have completed at least three (3) A level courses in the British educational system with a grade C or better; submit a transcript for A and O levels.
• You can take the Accuplacer English Proficiency Test offered on campus for applicants currently in Boston or virtually for students applying from abroad. You will be invited, by email, to sign up for the test after your application has been reviewed and all other required documents have been submitted.
• Successful completion of level 4 at the Intensive English Program at BHCC. Upload your certificate to the application.

We offer conditional admission to qualified applicants applying for an F-1 visa from abroad whose level of English proficiency is lower than the admission requirements. English test scores are required. Conditionally admitted students will attend the BHCC Language Institute Intensive English program before enrolling in their academic program.

Waiver: The proof of language proficiency is waived for English speaking applicants from Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Canada, Grenada, (British) Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, New Zealand, Nigeria, United Kingdom, St. Kitts & Nevis, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, and Zimbabwe.

Note: All accepted students are required to take a placement test prior to class registration unless they qualify for an exemption.

You must submit proof that you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your first year of study:

If you require an I-20 you must show proof that you have sufficient funds to support yourself for the first year of study at BHCC. The estimated cost to attend BHCC for one academic year includes tuition, fees, health insurance, and living expenses. Applications for Spring 2026 must include proof of funding of $29,000. Applications for Summer 2026 must include proof of funding of $36,000. Applications for Fall 2026 must include proof of funding of $31,000. For each dependent (spouse, child) accompanying you, an additional $7,000 must be available.

Estimated Cost of Attendance for International (Out-of-State) Students (Starting Summer and Fall 2026)

Financial documents must clearly display:

• The name of the account holder
• The name of the institution where the account is held
• The balance of the account, and
• The date the statement or letter was issued. Financial documents cannot be older than (6) months from the date your application is submitted.

Acceptable Financial Documents:

• Checking or savings accounts
• Money market accounts
• Certificates/term deposits/fixed deposits
• Educational loans (a loan application is not sufficient)
• Benevolent accounts
• Current accounts
• Post office accounts
• Scholarship award letter
• Financial guarantee letter from a government, foundation, or home university

The following are examples of sources that are NOT acceptable:

• Investment portfolios (Examples: stocks, bonds, mutual funds)
• Retirement plans
• Cryptocurrency accounts
• Public provident funds
• Available lines of credit
• Wire transfers
• Deeds to real estate
• Leases with rental income
• Salary agreements or paystubs
• Material items (examples: livestock, land, jewelry, fur)
• Income tax forms
• Sponsorship letters issued for admissions purposes only

If you are supported by a sponsor, you must also submit an Affidavit of Support completed and signed by your sponsor. If you have multiple sponsors, each sponsor must complete the Affidavit of Support and sign it. Please access the Affidavit of Support linked below:

• Affidavit of Support Form  

Applicants sponsored by a company must submit proof that the employee signing the affidavit has the legal authorization to do so. Some examples of acceptable proof are articles of incorporation, tax documentation, or a bank-issued letter indicating the signatory on the company account.

Please submit a copy of your passport page that contains your biographical information. Your passport must not be expired.

To be eligible for admission, international F-1 applicants must be 17 years old by the start of the semester to which they are applying. 

Applying from Abroad

Admission deadlines for international applicants who are applying from outside the United States

For Applicants who are in the United States

Current F-1 International Students - Completed applications are accepted up to the last Friday before the start of the semester posted on the Academic Calendar online. 

Applicants who wish to request change of visa status to F-1 within the US should consult with an immigration attorney regarding eligibility and deadlines. 

Please review the information regarding applying for a change of status here.