INTERNATIONAL (FOREIGN) STUDENT ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The CSU must assess the academic preparation of international students. For this purpose, "international students" include those who hold U.S. visas as students, exchange visitors, or in other non-immigrant classifications. The CSU uses separate requirements and application filing dates in the admission of international students. Verification of English proficiency (see the section on TOEFL Requirement for undergraduate applicants, English Language Proficiency for graduate applicants), financial resources, and academic performance are all important considerations for admission. Academic records from foreign institutions must be on file no later than the established document deadline date. Documents not in English must be accompanied by certified English translations.

San Francisco State University considers applications and accepts qualified applicants for admission to the university according to the International Student Application Calendar (earlier application deadlines may be enforced by various academic departments especially graduate programs). Applications for fall semester may be obtained starting in August. Applications for spring semester may be obtained starting in June.

All F-1/J-1 visa international students must be formally admitted and enrolled in a declared major (undergraduate) or in a classified graduate degree program (post-baccalaureate). They may not be enrolled in the university in non-degree or unclassified status, unless through a College of Extended Learning approved program.

Priority in admission is given to residents of California. There is little likelihood of nonresident applicants, including international students, being admitted either to impacted majors or to those majors or programs with limited openings.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT APPLICATION CALENDAR

Application periods for San Francisco State University may change. For the most current information, see the Prospective Students page.

Any student who is a permanent resident (holds an Alien Registration Card or endorsed I-94, showing INS approval of Permanent Resident application) is not subject to the International Student Application Calendar and may apply on The California State University application form, subject only to the same program deadlines as United States citizen applicants. Students in this category must submit with their application a copy of their Alien Registration Card or endorsed Form I-94.

Tuition and Costs

The university does not have financial aid for international students. Therefore, the student must present satisfactory evidence of adequate funds to meet financial needs at the time of enrollment at the university. Currently, the State University Fee and related mandatory fees are $1,240 plus $282 per unit for undergraduates and $1,345 plus $282 per unit for graduate students for each semester. International students are required by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) to enroll at SFSU in full-time status: for undergraduate students this means at least twelve units per semester; for graduate students it is eight units per semester.

The following is an estimate of the cost of nine months, two semesters' attendance as a full-time student:

ADMISSION PROCEDURES

1. Complete and submit the CSU Application for Admission at www.csumentor.edu or the SFSU International Student Application.
2. When applying, the student must submit official, original transcripts or documents, and must list on the application the names of all certificates, diplomas, degrees, titles, or licenses received and the schools attended. All documents must be accompanied by a certified English translation. Photocopies without originals will not be accepted. All documents must show grades received, examinations taken, and identify passing/maximum grades. The student must be qualified to enter a university in their home country and have a good scholastic record from an accredited/recognized school. Applicants who are presently attending a college or university in the United States must, in addition to their international records, submit official transcripts of all work completed and in progress as soon as possible after applying for admission.
3. All applicants for admission to the university must pay a $55.00 application fee. The application fee is not refundable nor can it apply toward a later application for admission.
4. All SFSU undergraduate applicants, regardless of citizenship, whose native language is not English and whose preparatory education was principally in a language other than English, must present a score of 500 (paper-based test) or 173 (computer-based test)  or above on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), unless the student attended schools at the secondary level or above full-time for at least three years at an institution where English was the principal language of instruction and appropriate English course work and grades were successfully completed. Some majors may require higher scores. Institutional TOEFL scores are not accepted. Achieving the minimum score shall be evidence of the applicant's English competency at a level that will allow the applicant to participate satisfactorily in and benefit from university study. Upper division undergraduate transfer students from a U.S. university/college who have met the CSU admission subject requirements, which include English, and have the minimum GPS may be exempt from the TOEFL requirement. Students who do not have the minimum TOEFL score may enroll in SFSU's intensive English language program, American Language Institute (ALI). ALI prepares non-native speakers of English for academic study in the university and issues certificates of eligibility for student visas. For more information, call 415-338-1438 or go to http://userwww.sfsu.edu/~alisfsu.

The TOEFL is administered throughout the year. Specific information regarding the exact testing dates, testing centers, fee, and registration is available from: Test of English as a Foreign Language, Educational Testing Service, P.O. Box 6151, Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6154; the web site is www.toefl.org. It is the student's responsibility to request that test results be sent to either the Admissions Office (undergraduate) or Graduate Studies (graduate), San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, California 94132.

5. No action is taken on applications for admission until all requested materials have been received by the university. Students are admitted only upon receipt of the official Notice of Admission from the Admissions Office (undergraduate) or Graduate Studies (graduate). Students should not confuse confirmation of housing or correspondence with academic departments with official admission to the university.
6. SFSU has announced new admission policies for undergraduate students. At this time, admission is closed to lower division transfer students who have less than 56 transferable semester units (84 quarter) or less than two and one-half years of full-time university course work. Admission is closed to second baccalaureate applicants. These policies are subject to change at any time.

Type of Visa. San Francisco State University is authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students. International students who are outside of the United States, upon receipt of admission documents, should secure a non-immigrant student visa. The College of Extended Learning is also authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students. Subsequent to admission, international students must be enrolled continuously every semester and carry a full course of study (twelve units for undergraduates and eight units for graduates).

Health Insurance. International students (F and J visas) are required to show evidence of health insurance coverage in order to be permitted to register for courses. Renewals are checked each semester in order to re-register, unless the insurance policy is purchased annually. For additional information, students should contact the Student Health Service at 415-338-1932.