Registration Information and Application Process for International Students
Are you interested in applying to Red Rocks Community College as an International Student? This is the page for you! We create I-20 forms that allow international students to apply for an F-1 or M-1 visa to study here at Red Rocks. We can issue I-20s for our intensive English as a second language (ESL) program, academic programs, or certificate programs. Follow these steps below to apply if you want to enroll full-time as a student at Red Rocks.
If you are looking to enroll as a guest student, a student on another non-immigrant visa type, or an international student in online classes only, additional instructions are available below.
If you have any questions, please email international@rrcc.edu.
International Student Application Deadlines
Fall Semester Start: July 8
Spring Semester Start: November 25
Summer Semester Start: April 30
New Student
All new applicants must complete the general college application. After you complete it, you will receive a student number, often called your S#, which you will need for the next steps of the application and throughout your time at Red Rocks.
All applicants are required to take the ESL Accuplacer exam to determine if they will be placed into our Intensive ESL program or admitted directly into college level classes. Applicants may be able to skip the ESL Accuplacer test if they qualify for one of the exemptions listed below.
Applicants who are applying from their home country will take the test remotely. Applicants who are already in Colorado should plan to take the test in-person at the RRCC assessment center. After you have completed Step 1 and received your S#, send an e-mail to international@rrcc.edu to request instructions to schedule the test in your preferred format.
Placement Process
The ESL Accuplacer test is for initial placement only. The test is made up of four sections, and applicants will receive a score between 20 and 120 in each section. If all of the scores fall within one band they will be placed in that level. If the scores fall within multiple bands, then the ESL coordinator will review the results and place the applicant into the most appropriate level.
Course Placement and Accuplacer Score
- ENSL 1041 - Basic ESL
- Accuplacer Score: 50-72
- ENSL 1043 - Intermediate ESL
- Accuplacer Score: 73-95
- ENSL 1045 - Advanced ESL
- Accuplacer Score: 96-116
- ENG 1021 - College Classes
- Accuplacer Score: All scores above 116
Exemptions
Applicants do not need to complete the ESL Accuplacer test and can enroll directly in college classes if they meet the criteria for an exemption. Email international@rrcc.edu to request an exemption. This is the list of accepted exemptions:
- IELTS score of 7.0
- Send through IELTS, search for Red Rocks Community College
- TOEFL score of 96 (Test taken before January 2026)
- TOEFL score of 5.0 (Test taken after January 2026)
- Send through TOEFL, RRCC Institution Code is: 4130
- Unofficial transcript showing passing grades in college level classes at another U.S. college or university
- Graduated from a high school in the U.S. with a 3.0 GPA or higher
Complete this document and e-mail it to our office at international@rrcc.edu. Please submit this in one e-mail with the supporting documents listed below in step 4.
Complete all of the supporting documentation listed below and e-mail it to our office at international@rrcc.edu. Please submit these documents in one e-mail with the international student application listed in step 3.
The required documents for prospective F-1 or M-1 students are:
- Budget Sheet - This document helps you understand the required costs associated with studying at Red Rocks and living in the U.S. for one academic year. The amount is different depending on if you are taking ESL or regular classes. Please complete the correct page for your intended course of study.
- Declaration of Finances - The U.S. Department of State requires that we certify that you have enough money to pay for your tuition, living expenses, and other costs while in the U.S. On this document you will tell us where your funds are coming from.
- Evidence of Finances - You must show evidence of the funds available to you equal to the amount required in the budget sheet. Acceptable evidence includes a bank statement with last three months of transactions, a sponsor's bank statement with the last three months of transactions, a letter from your bank, scholarship or award letters, or a signed letter from your government if they are providing funds. You may use multiple sponsors/sources, but the total amount must equal at least the total amount from the budget sheet for the program you plan to enroll in.
- Copy/Scan of your passport identification page
- Copy/Scan of the passport identification page for all dependents
Additional required documents if you are a current F-1 student and transferring from another school:
- Copy/Scan of your current I-20
- Copy/Scan of your current visa
- Copy/Scan of your I-94
Additional required documents if you are in the U.S. with a different visa status and wish to change it to F-1 and enroll at Red Rocks:
- Copy/Scan of your current visa
You will need to pay the $75.00 international application fee. It must be paid through our online portal
Once you have completed these steps our office will review your documents and contact you via e-mail with an admissions decision and instructions for the next steps. Completing this application does not guarantee that you will receive an I-20 from our institution.
Some people may wish to study at Red Rocks as an international student without receiving an I-20. Please contact international@rrcc.edu to receive registration instructions for your specific situation.