International Students: Start Your Journey

Your future begins with a simple and free application. 

Whether you're working toward an associate degree or professional diploma...or plan to transfer to a four-year university, the first step is an easy application. 

Take the first and smartest step. Apply today!

Apply to Iowa Lakes

International students seeking to attend Iowa Lakes Community College must complete a GDPR Consent Form. Please note this is waived for non-European countries.

Submit your high school transcripts to Iowa Lakes Community College. High School students currently in their senior year may submit current partial transcripts. Final transcripts are required to be submitted to Iowa Lakes before arriving on campus. 

High School Transcripts should include:

• Name of Student
• Name of High School
• Date of Graduation
  • Please note: A copy of the high school diploma is required when the graduation date is missing from the transcripts.

Questions about High School Transcripts?
Contact our International Student Liaison:

Brandon DeClercq
Enrollment Coach/International Student Liaison
Phone: 712-362-7919
Email: bdeclercq@iowalakes.educreate new email

International Students must obtain a Valid Passport. 

​​All International students whose native language is NOT English must provide official evidence of English language proficiency for admission to a degree program of study. This requirement may be met by taking and passing:

• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 173 on the computer test, 500 on the paper test, or 61 on the iBT internet-based version). The TOEFL code for Iowa Lakes is 6196.

OR

• The Duolingo English Test (DET) is an online English proficiency test that can be taken online, on demand, in under an hour for only $49. The test is taken online via a computer with a webcam and microphone. The test includes a proficiency score, video interview and writing sample which are shared wi​th Iowa Lakes Community College when you send your results. Certified results are available within 48 hours of the test session. DET tests taken on or after October 1, 2021, require a score of 90 or higher. opens in a new windowTo take your test today, please visit: http://englishtest.duolingo.com/applicants
  • Iowa Lakes Community College is now using Duolingo as an option to meet the English-proficiency requirement.  This option is available for the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 academic years.

Official TOEFL Scores (Test of English as a Foreign Language Scores)
International Students must submit their TOEFL Scores to be considered for admission to Iowa Lakes Community College.

Test score requirements are as follows:

• 500 for paper based test; 173 on computer based test; and 61 on internet based TOEFL.
• opens in a new windowOfficial TOEFL scores may be requested at http://www.ets.org/toefl/ibt/scores/send

TOEFL scores must be mailed from ETS to the following address:

Iowa Lakes Community College
Attn: International Student Admissions
300 South 18th Street
Estherville, IA  51334

Duolingo scores must be emailed directly from dueling to the following email address:
admissions@iowalakes.educreate new email

Students may have the English Proficiency testing requirement waived under the following circumstances:

• Students who completed formal English studies and tested into college level English.
• Students who graduate from an English instruction high school equivalency program in the US.
• Students who graduated with an English instruction only high school at other countries if they score at the college English level in the SAT or ACT.
• Students from English speaking countries.
• Students transferring in from an American college if they have taken English Comp 1 and received a grade of ‘C’ or better and have a Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better.

May be waived if the student has an associates, bachelors, or master’s degree from an American university.

International students must provide Proof of Financial Sponsorship during their time attending Iowa Lakes Community College. 

Proof of Sponsorship must include the following:

• Signed by sponsor
• Signed by bank official
• Stamped by bank
  • If bank will not stamp and sign a foreign language document, they may translate the financial certificate and have the translated version stamped and signed by the bank.
  • If bank regulations prohibit the bank from signing and stamping this form, then we will accept a bank letter on official letterhead and must be directly e-mailed or mailed from the bank to our international admissions liaison:

    Brandon DeClercq
    International Student Liaison
    Email: bdeclercq@iowalakes.educreate new email

The letter sent by the bank must include:

• A bank official’s signature
• The amount of the sponsor’s available funds
  • Iowa Lakes requires the first page of the Proof of Financial Sponsorship Form signed by the student and sponsor to be sent to Iowa Lakes.

If mailed, it should be sent to:

Iowa Lakes Community College
Attn:  International Student Admissions
300 South 18th Street
Estherville, IA  51334
United States

International students are required to provide an official Bank Statement to Iowa Lakes Community College. The official Bank Statement should have the following:

• Signed by bank official
  • Bank signature waived when bank statement is accompanied by a bank certified letter clearly stating the bank account number and owner, which includes the bank officials signature.
• Stamped by bank
  • Bank stamp waived when bank statement is accompanied by a bank certified letter clearly stating the bank account number and owner, which includes the bank’s stamp.
• Funds available to cover the cost of attendance
  • No more than 3 months old.
  • Cost of attendance will be adjusted to reflect scholarships.

International students receiving an athletic scholarship must have a letter of intent turned into the admissions office stating the amount awarded.