We are happy that you have decided to join us at Hutchinson Community College. Students from numerous countries such as Japan, Brazil, Bosnia, Australia, and Germany have chosen to study at Hutchinson Community College and play an integral role in both the intellectual and cultural life of our campus. This information is designed to help you prepare for your trip to Kansas. Please read the following information carefully. Always feel free to contact the International Advisor at international@hutchcc.edu if you have more questions.
Airport Information: You will need to fly into Mid-Continent Airport (airport code = ICT) which is located in Wichita, KS. After you arrive at the airport you can use a shuttle service to get to Hutchinson. There are many to choose from. Listed below are a few options you can contact for a quote, that travel between the airport and Hutchinson.
Salt City Shuttle: 620-664-6117
Tornado Transit: 316-650-5080
EMU Express: 316-734-0100
No Problimo: 620-899-3607
Please note that rates are subject to change and may increase in the late evening/night. If you choose to take a taxi from the airport, it may be very expensive. Before entering a taxi, establish the estimated cost with the driver.
On-Campus Housing
HutchCC Residence Halls
Mail: 1300 N Plum, Hutchinson, Kansas 67501, USA
Phone: 1.620.665.3436 Fax: 1.620.728.8150
https://www.hutchcc.edu/residence-life
Email: reshall@hutchcc.edu
The majority of rooms are double occupancy; there are a few suites that house four students. The dorms fill quickly, so do not wait until you arrive in the U.S. to make living arrangements.
The deadline date for application is June 1st. A completed application includes your Room and Board Contract, Personal Information Sheet, Confidential Health Card, Immunization records indicating two MMR shots, meningitis shot or waiver, and $100 deposit. If you need to arrive 3-4 days early, arrangements must be made with the housing office.
Off-Campus Housing
When searching for permanent off-campus housing you might want to take into consideration that Hutchinson does not have expanded public transportation. We do have the Reno County Area Transit (RCAT) which runs a fixed route throughout Hutchinson but the travel time can be lengthy. There is a local housing association which maintains a list of available rentals.
Temporary Housing and Hotel Information
If you need to reserve a hotel room for your first few nights in Hutchinson, before the dorms open, a partial list can be found below. For a more complete list or to make a reservation online visit https://www.visithutch.com/.
STUDENT HEALTH ISSUES
Health History
Before you leave home have your eyes and teeth checked and any necessary medical treatments completed. Medical, dental and eye care are expensive in the U.S. Bring an adequate supply of medication with you and keep your medication in its original container and carry a copy of your prescription (translated in english). If you are living in the dorms be sure to bring a copy of your shot records with you or return them with your dorm contract.
International students must present the results of a tuberculosis skin test completed in the United States within the last twelve months, or be tested at a college approved clinic. Test results must be reviewed within ten days of the start of the semester.
Student Health Insurance
Students are not required to carry private medical insurance while studying at HutchCC. Your enrollment at HutchCC includes a health service fee, which allows you to receive minor medical treatment at PrairieStar Health Center, located at the intersection of East 30th Street & K-61. To make an appointment, call 620.663.8484. Before going to your appointment, stop by the Housing Office, Parker Student Union Information Counter, or the ID Center in the basement of Parker Student Union to pick up a voucher to take to PrairieStar. This will pay your insurance co-pay or visit fee (students without insurance). Students are allowed 2 paid visits per semester. Hospitalization and emergency room visits are not included. Therefore, you are encouraged to carry private medical insurance. Listed below are two companies that offer International Student Health policies.
International Student Insurance - https://www.internationalstudentinsurance.com/
BETiNS - www.betins.com
REPORT DATE
Entry to the U.S. is limited to thirty (30) days before the report date listed on the I-20, regardless of the visa issue date. All international students must report to the HutchCC International Advisor within fifteen (15) days of their report date listed on their I-20. Please bring your I-20, passport, visa, I-94, and/or any other documents that verify your immigration status. Your immigration documents will be copied and reviewed to verify your status and your contact information will be updated in the SEVIS system. The International Advisor will assist you in completing the HutchCC General Application and the enrollment process. The International Advisor is located in the Rimmer Learning Resource Center, first floor. HutchCC must report students to the U.S. Government who do not check-in with the International Advisor and/or who do not enroll full-time at HutchCC.
ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS
All F-1 students are required to be enrolled in a full course of study each regular term. Failure to do so will cause you to be in violation of your immigration status. Generally speaking, full-time enrollment during the Fall and Spring semesters for students is 12 credit hours each semester. Enrollment during the summer term is required only if it is your initial or final semester. It is very important that you do not reduce your enrollment less than full-time or withdraw from your classes without first getting approval from the International Advisor.
WEATHER
Kansas is located at the center of the U.S. and has four distinct seasons. At the time of your arrival in August, it will be summer. The temperatures in the summer, June-September, usually range from 89°F to 96°F (32°C to 36°C). It will become cooler in the fall, September-November. Winter, December-March, daytime temperatures are usually between 23°F and 40°F (-5°C to 4°C). You should plan your wardrobe for changing seasons, but clothes may be purchased upon arrival.
ELECTRICAL DEVICES/ APPLIANCES
The electrical current used for small appliances in the U.S. is 100-115 volts, 60 cycles. Adapters may be needed for some of your appliances.
MONEY
You should bring enough money to cover your first month's expenses and your first semester's tuition, books, and the expense of setting up your housing arrangements. (Note: If you were required to make a $1500.00 deposit before your I-20 was issued it will only cover the cost of tuition for 12 credit hours.) Do not underestimate the amount of money needed. Do not carry a large amount of cash. Bring your money in the form of traveler's checks or obtain a bank card to withdraw cash from an automatic teller machine (ATM). You may choose to have the balance of the money you will need electronically wired to a local bank in the United States after your arrival; the International Advisor can recommend a bank upon your arrival.
TEMPORARY MAILING ADDRESS
If you need to send some of your belongings to Kansas in advance, you may address the package to our office (see example address). We will hold any mail or packages sent to you until you arrive to pick it/them up.
Example address:
YOUR NAME
Hutchinson Community College
c/o International Advisor
1300 N Plum
Hutchinson KS 67501
USA
TRANSPORTATION IN HUTCHINSON
The Reno County Area Transit (RCAT) bus runs a fixed route throughout Hutchinson. The RCAT is a clean and safe means of transportation but the travel time can be lengthy and the routes are fixed and may not be convenient or close to your destination. The routes will take you to downtown Hutchinson, to medical facilities, grocery stores, shopping malls, etc. See the brochure for times and cost: RCAT brochure
Immigration regulations require non-immigrant international students to verify that they will have funds, in the amount of at least $13,000 USD, available to pay for the estimated cost for an academic year. Support must be documented using the HutchCC Financial Resources Verification Form. The student and sponsor must complete the HutchCC Financial Resources Verification form and request the appropriate financial institution send a verification letter directly to HutchCC. The completed form and bank letter must be received by the application deadline and approved before an I-20 will be issued. Applicants may not rely on expectations of employment to supplement funds from home.
The estimated breakdown of $13,000:
Tuition and Fees: $4980 per year ($166 per credit hour, 15 hours per semester)
Housing and Meal plan: $6200 per year (based on traditional room)
Miscellaneous expenses: $1820 per year estimate
This estimate only includes fall and spring semester totals and does not include the summer.
Course of study requirements:
Work requirements/restrictions:
Document proficiency in English. For all international student applicants whose primary language is not English, the results of one of the following tests must be less than two years old at the expected date of enrollment at HutchCC:
