General Policies (Applicable to Undergraduate and Graduate Programs)

Transfer Student Admission

An applicant who wishes to transfer to Horizon Institute from another institution of higher education must undertake the same application procedures for each program. Upon admission, the credits earned at the other institution will be evaluated and appropriate credit will be granted for equivalent courses at Horizon Institute.

Readmission

If you are a former Horizon student and you desire to be readmitted, contact the Registrar’s office to begin the process. You will be expected to pay any outstanding debt to the college in full. You may be required to provide new references or other elements of the Application Package, especially if there is an issue concerning your status or if you have been away from Horizon for some time. You may also be asked to meet with the Academic Dean, the Dean of Students, or other college officials.

If you are readmitted, we may ask you to attend certain portions of the New Student Orientation. If you have been gone from Horizon for one semester or more, you will return under the curriculum and graduation requirements of the most recent catalog. This policy may also apply to students who do not maintain full-time enrollment (less than 12 semester hours per term).

More Information about Undergraduate Admissions
More Information about Graduate Admissions
More Information about International Student Admissions

Undergraduate Admissions

An applicant to the undergraduate programs (Bachelor Degree) must have completed at least a high school education.

Admission Procedures

Students applying for admission to undergraduate programs must observe the following procedures:

1. Submit a completed and signed Application Form
2. Submit all documents that are required by the admissions office
3. Submit the $100 Application Fee (non-refundable)

Admission Evaluation

Admission to the program is based on the combination of strength of educational curriculum attempted and cumulative grade point average. Prospective students’ application will be reviewed and decided for admission on an individual basis, and the student may be asked to provide additional evidence of academic proficiency.

Post-Admission Procedures

1. Students will be assigned to an Academic Advisor who will assist the student with academic planning.
2. Orientation for new students will be held during the first week of each quarter.
3. All students will receive a student handbook containing information regarding student services, student expectation, student rights and responsibilities, student conduct policies, library services, and learning resource services.

Graduate Admission

Admission Requirements:

Masters program

An Applicant to the Master’s degree program at Horizon Institute must possess appropriate Bachelor’s degree with minimum GPA of 2.0 (on a 4.0 scale)

Admission Procedures

Students applying for admission to undergraduate Programs must observe the following procedures:

1. Submit a completed and signed Application Form.
2. Submit all documents that are required by the admissions office
3. Submit the $100 Application Fee (non-refundable)

Admission Evaluation

Prospective students’ applications will be reviewed and decided for admission on an individual basis, and may be asked to provide additional evidence of academic proficiency. The admission decisions are based upon the academic and professional background of the applicant, as well as competitive and programmatic factors.

Post-Admission Procedures

1. Students will be assigned to an Academic Advisor who will assist the student with academic planning.
2. Orientation for new students will be held during the first week of each quarter.
3. All students will receive a student handbook containing information regarding student services, student expectation, student rights and responsibilities, student conduct policies, library services, and learning resource services.

International Student Admissions

International Students

International students who require either an I-20 form to apply for a student visa must be accepted for admission to Horizon Institute and must meet the requirements of a financial guarantee for themselves and all dependents who will accompany them to the United States.

Horizon Institute is authorized by SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) to issue visa documents for the F-1 (I-20) Student Visa. International applicants should submit their applications at least three months prior to the quarter in which they intend to enroll. The application file should be completed (including transcript, financial guarantee, etc.) at least 90 days before the planned date of arrival in order to allow time for the student to receive the visa application papers. International applicants are required to submit official documentation of all postsecondary (college level) education.

Application Procedure

Horizon is authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students. Students can receive an Application Packet by writing, calling, or e-mailing our admissions office. International students must submit the following additional application requirements and fees.

1. A completed and signed Application Form
2. Financial Statement
3. Photocopy of Passport
4. High School/University Diploma
5. Official Transcript (applying for Master Program)
6. Application Fee ($100) and Evaluation Fee $100 (foreign transcript)

(Non-Refundable)

1. English Placement Exam

International Student Due Dates for Application

College officials will review your Application Package when is complete. It is our goal to send your written notification within two weeks of the application deadline. At any time, however, you may contact the Registrar’s Office to inquire as to the status of your application.

English Proficiency

All classes are taught in English and require proficiency in English. International students may be asked to take an English placement test to determine their proficiency. Students with lower scores may be asked to take additional English courses to help prepare them for the rigors of the classroom.

Financial Requirements for International Student

International students who are or will be in F-1 visa status are required to show proof of adequate funding for at least one year before an I-20 form can be issued. Financial requirements are calculated on the basis of tuition and fees (3 Quarters), living expenses ($600/month) and miscellaneous expenses ($1,000). An additional $4,000 will be added for accompanying spouses and $1,500 for each child. Students must submit the Financial Certification Form along with appropriate attachments.

Financial certification

A bank statement or certification from another legal financial institution should be submitted with an official letter (affidavit of support) from the sponsor. The letter should include the student’s name, sponsor’s name, his/her relationship to the student (parent, sister, friend, etc.), the amount of support and the time period for which it will be provided, and a stated willingness to cover the student’s expenses.

Insurance

All international students and their families are required to have active health insurance during their stay in the United States. International students are not permitted to register or to continue enrollment at Horizon without demonstrating compliance with the insurance requirement. A block will be placed on your account until requirements are met. The institute is unable to make any exceptions to this rule. Insurance coverage will be checked every semester.

Optional Practical Training

If you have been in F-1 status for at least nine (9) months (3 Quarters), you are eligible for optional practical training (OPT) which is temporary employment in your current field of study for purposes of gaining practical experience.

You may receive twelve months of practical training for each academic level (Bachelor’s, Master’s). For part-time (20 hours or less per week) OPT, only half time is deducted from the 12 months (e.g. for four months of part-time OPT only two months is deducted).

You may apply for authorization for optional practical training directly related to your major area of study in the following cases:

• You must have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for one full academic year (3 quarters);
• You must currently be maintaining a full-time program of study and valid F-1 status; and
• You must work in a job directly related to your major field of study.

If you meet these qualifications, you can proceed with the application for practical training authorization. Upon completion of all the forms, the international student advisor will review your application and decide either to recommend or not recommend your application for submission to USCIS for adjudication. Application packets are available online or with the international student advisor. A new SEVIS I-20 will be issued with the recommendation of OPT. You will have to pick up your new I-20 form after processing has been completed.

Students must refrain from off-campus employment without ICE or school authorization. Off-campus work permission is approved ONLY by ICE in case of an extraordinary circumstance. It is illegal to work without authorization and you are subject to deportation.