Congratulations on being accepted to Bakersfield College! The information below will guide incoming students on the next steps they need to take after they have received their International Student visa and are preparing to attend Bakersfield College. We're excited to welcome you to our campus!
After your International Student visa has been approved, please email internationalstudents@bakersfieldcollege.edu and complete the following steps.
Use the student number provide on your acceptance letter (B00-00-XXXX) as your Social Security Number (SSN).
ATTENTION!!! You may have difficulties accessing Bakersfield College server from overseas. If so, you may use tunnelbear.com to access our services through a Virtual Private Network (VPN) with a US-based IP address. Any VPN with a US-based IP address will do.
You will meet virtually with your International Educational Advisor to create a Comprehensive Student Education Plan (CSEP) on Starfish. During this time you will also register for classes.
PLEASE NOTE: All international students on an International Student Visa must enroll in a minimum of 12 units. International students are only allowed to take (1) online class per semester.
All new international students must complete an In-Person Orientation, which typically takes place 1-2 weeks prior to the beginning of the semester. Please check your BC student email for more details.
Bakersfield College does not offer on-campus accommodations. However, there are many apartments near BC’s Panorama Campus. Rent charges vary according to location, size, and amenities in the complex. Upon request, we will mail you a list of apartments in the area. You can contact them directly to inquire about availability and charges.
You can also visit Off-Campus Housing for housing information.
When you acquire housing, you must update your information with Bakersfield College AND International Student Affairs.
Banner, also known as MyBanWeb, is the system BC uses to keep student information and registration. Once you have arrived, you have applied to Admissions and you have housing, you must update Banner with your new address. Anytime you change your address or phone number, notify the International Student Affairs office immediately and follow these steps:
Complete the Address Update form for International Students and submit it to the International Student Affairs Office.
The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is a web-based system for maintaining information on international students in the United States. Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), a division of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the investigative unit in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), administers SEVIS.
The U.S Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires the collection of a one-time SEVIS fee of $200 from international students on International Student visa. The following information may be of help to you: