Alamo Colleges District

The Alamo Colleges District is a collective of five community colleges in the Greater San Antonio area: Northeast Lakeview College, Northwest Vista College, Palo Alto College, St. Philip's College and San Antonio College.

The Alamo Colleges are committed to accessible and affordable education to help students achieve their academic goals. To cater to diverse student interests and career paths, the Alamo Colleges offer over 350 degree and certificate programs across six institutes: Business & Entrepreneurship, Health & Biosciences, Science & Technology, Advance Manufacturing & Logistics, Public Service, Creative & Communication Arts.

The Alamo Colleges serve more than 79,000 students, creating a diverse community with international students representing 54 countries. The values of students first, respect for all, collaboration, can do spirit, data-informed, and community engaged, are upheld across all institutions with a commitment to develop global citizens through participation in the Alamo Colleges international programs.

The Alamo Colleges are nationally recognized as the 2018 and 2024 recipient of the Malcom Baldrige Award, and four of the colleges are named Aspen Institutes Top 150 community colleges in the U.S.

The Alamo Colleges provide many opportunities for students to excel during their higher education journey. With transfer opportunities, access to scholarships, experienced instructors, quality facilities, English as a second language program, optional practical training work experience, and more. Students who choose to attend one of the Alamo Colleges have access to resources that prepare them for success.

San Antonio, Texas is the 7th largest city in the United States with a population of over 1.4 million. The city celebrates over 300 years of tradition, culture, and community. San Antonio is home to the San Antonio Spurs NBA team, the River Walk, The Alamo, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, and more.

Experienced, innovative instructors work to provide an insightful education to students across the Alamo Colleges.

All five institutions place a focus on small class sizes, with an average of 22 students, to allow for a higher level of personal interaction and direction between students and faculty. Many industrial leaders from a range of corporate sectors are involved in teaching at the Alamo Colleges, passing on their experience to students.

San Antonio College offers a rigorous English as a Second Language program to improve essential English skills. After completing the ESL program, students can transition into a degree program at one of the Alamo Colleges.

The Alamo Colleges District also provides qualified staff to assist with international student services, such as admissions, immigration advising, and student health service options.

The Alamo Colleges follow the 2+2 model, offering two-year programs where students can earn an associate degree: associates of arts, associates of science, associates of applied science.

After completing an associate's degree, academic credits are transferable to four-year universities. For a quality education with a more affordable price, students are able to transfer credits to a university that can apply toward their bachelor's degree.

The Alamo Colleges District includes five independently accredited colleges in its network, namely Northeast Lakeview College, Northwest Vista College, Palo Alto College, St. Philip's College and San Antonio College. Programs across these five institutions fall into one of six different institutes .

Creative and Communication Arts Institute

Designed for students who demonstrate an interest in areas such as arts, communications, and technology, The Creative and Communications Arts Institute can prepare students for careers in a range of industries by equipping them with skills such as designing, performing, writing, and producing.

Business and Entrepreneurship Institute

This institute looks to prepare students for careers in a range of different sectors, equipping them with practical business skills which open a range of doors and encourage creativity. Future careers could focus on anything from investment banking to travel-related services and anything in between.

Health and Biosciences Institute

Educating students on health sciences such as biotechnology, health informatics, diagnostic services, support services, therapeutic services, and research and development.

Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics Institute

Covering everything from architecture and planning to manufacturing, distribution, and logistics, this institute covers a vast range of industries and offers a number of exciting opportunities.

Public Service Institute

This institute has a focus on those interested in the public service sector, from anything to public safety and security to education, law, administration, and government.

Science and Technology Institute

Benefitting from a state-of-the-art new center, students learning at the Science and Technology Institute can focus on an array of areas such as agriculture, IT, science, engineering, and mathematics.

International students have a two-part application process:

Part One: Apply for Admission by completing the ApplyTexas application for one of the Alamo colleges: Northwest Vista College, Palo Alto College, St. Philip's College, and San Antonio College.

Part Two: Apply for the form I-20.

Application Checklist

• Complete and return International I-20 Application Form
• Provide Financial Statements to meet cost of attendance
• Provide official transcripts from high school and/or college, either original copies or translated by American Translators Association and evaluated by an organization meeting NACES endorsed quality guidelines.
• English Language Proficiency
  • TOEFL (500 score), iBT TOEFL (61), IELTS (5.5)
  • Students who apply for San Antonio College will be tested using the Michigan English Test (MET), which will determine a students' understanding of the language and any necessary instruction. TOEFL or IELTS scores are not required for San Antonio College applications.
• Attach photo ID.
• A complete statement of understanding.
• Pay USD 100 processing fee either online or by cashier check or money order attached to application.
• Transfer students submit copies of visa, passport, I 94 and current and previous I 20.

International students are accepted during fall and spring semesters, while transfer students from other U.S. colleges may be eligible for summer semesters.

New Students

Fall Semester Application Deadline: May 15

Spring Semester Application Deadline: October 1

Transfer students

Fall Semester Application Deadline: June 15

Spring Semester Application Deadline: November 1

The Alamo Colleges facilities are accessible from around San Antonio, with campuses based across the city and sites just outside to give make travelling easy from many areas in the district.

St Philip's College has campuses on the east and southwest sides of San Antonio, whilst San Antonio College is conveniently placed in midtown, just north of the downtown area.

Northeast Lakeview College is a modern facility located in a picturesque setting northeast of the city, whilst the Northwest Vista College enjoys a stunning lakeside location on the west side of San Antonio. Palo Alto College is located in the south of the city – and all five facilities are in modern buildings equipped to meet students' requirements.

There has been a great deal of investment into the facilities at the Alamo Colleges in recent years, and that is continuing to develop. The STEM Center is a contemporary facility, alongside the recently completed top-class District Support Operations building that brings three smaller sites into one multi-purpose building.

The facilities at Alamo Colleges are convenient, flexible and useful for students living and studying in an exciting city such as San Antonio.

Student support

The Alamo Colleges are student-centered by offering support services including international student services, academic advising, tutoring, mental health resources, and disability support services.

The First Year Experience Program supports incoming students adjust to college by offering one-on-one academic and career guidance, and peer mentoring.

The Alamo Colleges District is partnered with the Transfer Scholars Network. The Transfer Scholars Network is a tool to provide support to students at the Alamo Colleges by connecting students with admissions representatives at four-year universities.

Transfer Advising Guides are another benefit of choosing to start at the Alamo Colleges. Transfer Advising Guides are pathways created to transfer academic credits earned at one of the Alamo Colleges to a four-year university.

Currently, the Alamo Colleges have a transfer agreement with six colleges and 21 universities in Texas. Students who are interested in transferring to one of the universities in the transfer agreement can choose from 2,810 transfer pathway options to transfer up to all academic credits, saving time and money.

Scholarships

International students at the Alamo Colleges benefit from saving money on tuition and fees.

The Alamo Colleges Foundation offers scholarships for admitted students. International students are eligible to apply for over 300 scholarships through the foundation.

Once admitted to one of the Alamo Colleges, students can submit one general application to be considered for all eligible scholarships. Prospective students can visit Alamo Colleges Foundation to learn more about the scholarships offered and deadlines.

The Texas Public Education Grant (TPEG) is another option available for international students. This funding is on a first-come, first-served basis and can range between USD 200 to USD 2,000 per year.

The Texas Public Education Grant is designed to provide assistance to those in financial need, with preference given to those studying for their first undergraduate or postgraduate degree. Any current student at the Alamo Colleges can apply, and if they demonstrate financial need to be awarded a grant, the money does not need to be repaid.

Cost of Attendance

• Academic Year Tuition & Fees: USD 7,972
• Housing & Food: USD 14,250
• Books, Course Materials, Supplies & Equipment: USD 500
• Transportation: USD 2,903
• Personal & Misc.: USD 2,875
• Total Estimated Cost: USD 28,500 *

* Estimated based on a student taking 12 hours in fall and 12 hours at the international tuition rate and a student residing without parents off campus.

The Alamo Colleges have state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, learning, and student life. These include modern libraries, advanced labs, fitness centers, and STEM centers encouraging curiosity, creativity, and collaboration among students dedicated to science, technology, engineering, and math programs.

A new USD 1 billion bond was approved which will drive continued investment across the colleges, with an exciting future for many of the programs that already offer such excellent education and success rates. In total, 15 facilities will be funded either as brand-new buildings or as renovations of existing ones.

This includes a new USD 95 million building for the School of Nursing and Health Professions, which will double the capacity for San Antonio College's nursing program.

The oncoming new facilities are representative of the continued investment and growth of the Alamo Colleges and how students are guaranteed access to contemporary facilities and resources that are evolving to meet industry needs.