How to Begin as an ESL Student

Apply to Sinclair

All students must first complete an application for admission to Sinclair. You can apply online at www.sinclair.edu if you are an American citizen. If you are not a citizen, you need to present your passport and visa or permanent resident card (green card) to Registration and Student Records located in Building 10, Floor 2. After completing an application, all students must take a placement test. Placement testing and ESL student services are located in Enrollment Services, Building 10, Floor 4.

F-1 Visa students

If your intention is to attend Sinclair on an F-1 visa, you must first obtain an I-20 from Registration and Student Records. After completion of the I-20, you may apply to the United States Immigration Service for an F-1 visa.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

If you are an American citizen or a permanent resident, you can apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov for financial aid from the United States government. Please contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships for more information about workshops that can provide assistance in completing your financial aid application. Students who have refugee and asylee status may also apply for aid.

You can visit the scholarship information page for information about general scholarships. For information about scholarships available specifically to ESL students, contact the ESL Coordinator at (937) 512-3099.

Selective Service

This applies to male students only. In order to be eligible for financial aid, males between the ages of 18 and 25 must be registered with selective service. You can visit www.sss.gov to register. If a student is older than the required age, he still needs to show proof of this to Sinclair's Financial Aid office. Typically, that means the student will show his I-94, which should clearly state the date he arrived in the United States and his date of birth.

Attend New Student ESL Orientation

All ESL students should attend an ESL orientation session prior to the start of the term. Registration for ESL orientation occurs at the completion of placement testing. The orientation session provides vital information about the college, including matters that are particular to ESL students.

Pay for Classes by the Payment Due Date

Whether a student has financial aid or not, he or she must ensure that classes are paid for by the start of the term.

Residency and Tuition

See "How much does it cost?" on the ESL FAQ page for information on tuition costs.

Seniors

If you are 60 years of age or older, you can audit ESL classes at Sinclair for free. Just complete a College for Lifelong Learning application/registration form online at Sinclair's lifelong learning page.