Bellevue College’s International High School Completion (IHSC) Program is a college level program for academically motivated F-1 students aged 16 and 17 who have not finished high school. It enables students to take courses that contribute to both a high school diploma and a transfer associate degree. Completing the IHSC program is necessary to earn both degrees.
The IHSC program involves regular college classes with local students. Some universities may require IHSC students to meet international freshman admission criteria. To prepare, collaborate with Bellevue College international advisors and university admission staff.
A student must:
- Be 16 years old or older before the first day of the quarter
- Be on a valid F-1 status to study full-time
- Successfully completed the U.S. equivalent of 9th grade; completion of 10th grade is strongly recommended.
- Not having a high school diploma or equivalent in your home country or the U.S.
Apply through the International Student Portal (click here) by our due dates (click here).
New applicants should click “New User” at the bottom of the portal page and save their email and password.
- Completed online application form including name, contact information, and similar details.
- High school transcript including 9th grade, professionally translated into English, must include the student’s name, institution name, classes, and grades. Students should request 2 sets of transcripts from their school.
- Request an (unofficial) transcript for translation and the online application
- Request an (official) sealed transcript is to be delivered to the IE office after acceptance
- Complete photo or copy of a valid passport’s photo page.
- Bank statement dated within the last 6 months, showing at least $28,762 USD. View our Tuition, Fees & Living Expenses (click here) estimate.
- If the bank statement is not in the student’s name, a Financial Responsibility Form (click here) must be submitted, including statements from parents, sponsors, family, or friends.
- Valid proof of English language proficiency (click here to see all accepted proofs).
- ** Students without proof of English proficiency will begin in the Intensive English program.**
- Completed and signed Limited Power-of-Attorney (POA) form.
- Completed and signed Attorney-in-Fact (AIF) form.
- A non-refundable application fee of $50 USD paid online.
- A digitally signed signature document.
- Click ‘Submit Application’ at the top of the page to have your application reviewed.
- After acceptance, all students must send their official sealed transcripts to our International office or deliver them in-person once they enter the United States.
Students must submit additional documents to the International Student Portal if they are underage (16 or 17):
- Students must be at least 16 years old by the first day of classes
- A completed and signed Limited Power-of-Attorney for Healthcare Purpose form
- A completed and signed Attorney-in-Fact form
Students must submit additional documents to the International Student Portal for each dependent:
- A copy of each F-2 dependent’s passport photo page (showing expiration date).
- Add $5,000 USD per dependent to the bank statement.
Students transferring from another U.S. school to Bellevue College need to submit extra documents. It’s best to submit your completed application at least two weeks before your grace period ends. If you are a transfer IBP student, please contact International Education us ie@bellevuecollege.edu.
Transfer students must submit copies of these immigration documents to the International Student Portal:
- F-1 visa page
- Current I-20 form
- Most recent I-94 document (i94.cbp.dhs.gov)
- Online Transfer Eligibility Form (found in the International Student Portal Application)
Acceptance packets can be emailed for free or mailed internationally at shipping cost. Students must pay the express mail fee via eShipGlobal and upload the air bill with a full mailing address to their online application within the International Student Portal.
Student must meet one of the following:
- 95 with a Production Score of 75 or higher
- Incoming college-level students will receive automatic placement into either English 93 or English 101. Students must still enroll in their placement level class.
- More information about Duolingo English Test
- Overall score of 6.0 with all sub-scores 5.5 or higher
- More information about Academic IELTS
- 61 (iBT) or 500 (PBT)
- More information about TOEFL
- A grade of “A-” in Integrated Skills 5 and “B-” in all other courses taken that quarter
- More information about the BC’s Intensive English program – Level Description
With a grade of “C-“
A valid placement result from another college into the equivalent of BC’s English 101
- Successful completion of Advanced (C1) level at Kaplan.
- Successful completion of Level 6 at California Language Academy.
- Successful completion of Advanced (C1-1) level at EF International Language Schools, Inc.
- A “C” or higher in English
- More information about Cambridge IGCSE Subjects
- More information about Cambridge O-Level Subjects
- 3 (places into English 101 at BC(*))
- (*) Official exam result issued by the testing company is required for the placement into English 101.
- More information about AP English Language or Literature/Composition
- If SAT or ACT taken within the last five years or PSAT taken within the last two years
- SAT or PSAT Reading/Writing score of 480 or higher
- ACT Composite score of 22 or higher
- 3 (places into English 101 at BC(*))
- (*) Official exam result issued by the testing company is required for the placement into English 101.
- More information about Smarter Balanced ELA
- 4 (places into English 101 at BC(*))
- (*) Official exam result issued by the testing company is required for the placement into English 101.
- More information about the IB International Baccalaureate
Successful completion of the advance 5 with a passing grade (a verification letter from the school official is required) (reviewed on a case-by-case basis)
Two years of regular English courses (non-ESL) in a U.S. high school or international school with a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher (reviewed on a case-by-case basis)
If your citizenship is from one of the countries listed below, please submit your passport to the “English Proficiency” section of the application in addition to the passport section.
1. Anguilla, 2. Antigua and Barbuda, 3. Australia, 4. Bahamas, 5. Barbados, 6. Belize, 7. Bermuda, 8. Botswana, 9. British Virgin Islands,10. Cameroon, 11. Canada (except Quebec), 12. Cayman Islands, 13. Dominica, 14. England, 15. Fiji, 16. The Gambia, 17. Ghana, 18. Gibraltar, 19. Grenada, 20. Guyana, 21. Ireland, Northern, 22. Ireland, Republic of, 23. Jamaica, 24. Kenya, 25. Lesotho, 26. Liberia, 27. Malawi, 28. Malta, 29. Mauritius, 30. Montserrat, 31. Namibia, 32. New Zealand, 33. Nigeria, 34. Papua New Guinea, 35. Scotland, 36. Seychelles, 37. Sierra Leone, 38. Singapore, 39. Solomon Islands, 40. South Africa, 41. St. Kitts and Nevis, 42. St. Lucia, 43. St. Vincent and the Grenadines, 44. Swaziland, 45. Tanzania, 46. Tonga, 47. Trinidad and Tobago, 48. Turks and Caicos Islands, 49. Uganda, 50. United Kingdom, 51. Vanuatu, 52. Wales, 53. Zambia, 54. Zimbabwe
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Last Updated April 22, 2025