Admitted international students

International students

Congratulations on your acceptance for admission to California College of ASU! Here are the steps to secure your enrollment and start date.

 

  1. Submit proof of your English language proficiency
     

    If your native language is not English, you must adequately demonstrate English competency as a part of the application process by taking one of the following English language proficiency exams:

    Full requirements

  2. Submit your California College of ASU I-20 application
     

    All international students wishing to study in the U.S. are required to obtain an F-1 student visa.

    International students accepted for admission in one of our programs must obtain an I-20 form on which California College of ASU certifies that you are eligible for F-1 student status.

  3. Submit your required I-20 fee and advance payments
     

    Submit the California College of ASU I-20 processing fee of $125.00 US along with your advance payment of your program’s total estimated cost of attendance for one quarter at California College of ASU, including tuition, fees and living expenses. See your estimated cost of attendance

  4. Submit an international student financial sponsor affidavit
     

    Submit an International Student Financial Sponsor Affidavit along with bank statements showing that you are fully financially supported and able to pay school fees and living expenses for a complete academic year with funds from outside the U.S. See your estimated cost of attendance.

    Statements from multiple bank accounts are acceptable. Statements must show:

    The financial institution’s name and the account holder’s name.
    An account balance that meets or exceeds your estimated cost of attendance for one academic year.
    Statement date within the past six months — older statements will not be accepted.
    Type of currency.

    Bank statements and the Financial Sponsor Affidavit can be sent via email to the California College of ASU’s Principal Designated School Official.

    Angelica Garcia

    agarcia@columbiacollege.edu

  5. Secure private scholarship or student aid funds before leaving your country of origin
     

    Financial aid is not available from the U.S. government or the government of any state in the U.S., including the state of California.

  6. Pay the SEVIS fee
     

    The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System is a web-based immigration system for maintaining information on international students. (Your Form I-20 is issued in the SEVIS system.) All students receiving an I-20 must pay the SEVIS Fee (I-901). You can pay the fee online.

    After you pay the fee, be sure to save the receipt. You must have the receipt when you visit the consulate and when you enter the United States.

  7. Schedule your visa interview
     

    *Not required for Canadian citizens

    Contact the U.S. embassy or consulate nearest you and follow their instructions to schedule an interview. Find a list of U.S. embassies and consulates.

    It is important to apply for your student visa as far in advance as possible. Follow the instructions provided by the embassy, which will include:

    Completing visa application forms.
    Paying the visa application fee.

  8. Attend your visa interview
     

    *Not required for Canadian citizens

    Prepare these documents and take them to your visa interview

    Valid passport.
    Form I-20.
    Originals of supporting documentation including Sponsor’s Affidavit and Sponsor’s supporting documents showing ability to pay.
    Letter of Acceptance from California College of ASU.
    Completed visa application forms.
    Receipt for visa application fee.
    Receipt for SEVIS fee.
    Any further information required by the U.S. embassy or consulate. Information, instructions and requirements provided by individual consulates should be followed to the best of your ability and their instructions given priority over instructions provided by California College of ASU./

     

  9. Enter the U.S. by your start date at California College of ASU
     

    After receiving your F-1 student visa you may enter the U.S. up to 30 days before the start date shown on your I-20, but no later than the start date. Contact us immediately if you require a change in your start date.

  10. Obtain your I-94 Arrival/Departure Record
     

    Upon entry to the U.S. you will be issued an I-94 number by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Form I-94 is your proof of entry showing that you have been lawfully admitted to the U.S. Access your I-94 Arrival/Departure Record online at the CBP website.

  11. Attend your New Student Orientation day at California College of ASU
     

    All students enrolling at California College of ASU for the first time are required to attend New Student Orientation prior to the first week of classes.

Instructions for Canadian students

When crossing the border you will need to provide the following documentation at the port of entry:

  • Your Canadian passport.
  • Your original I-20 (same as the Certificate of Eligibility).
  • Proof that you have paid your SEVIS fee.
  • A copy of your International Student Financial Sponsor Affidavit and financial records as proof of your ability to pay school fees and living expenses in the U.S.

Upon entry you will be given an I-94 Admission/Departure card. Your I-94 card shows your legal status in the U.S. Generally, there are no additional fees; however, if you are coming by land, the I-94 card may cost $6.00.


Instructions for international transfer students

After you are accepted for admission to California College of ASU:

  1. Submit copies of your passport, visa and current I-20.
  2. File a California College of ASU Intent to Transfer Form.
  3. Confirm your eligibility for a SEVIS record transfer.

Eligibility requirements for a SEVIS record transfer

  • You must have current and active F-1 status.
  • You must have an official offer of admission from California College of ASU.
  • You must transfer your F-1 record within 60 days of your last date of enrollment.
  • The start of classes at California College of ASU must be within five months of one of the following:
    • Academic program completion at previous school.
    • Last day of enrollment at previous school.
    • OPT authorization end date.
  • If the period of time between F-1 activities is longer than five months, your SEVIS record is not eligible for transfer. The college will then issue a new I-20 with a new SEVIS number.

You may email all of the above forms directly to the California College of ASU’s Principal Designated School Official.

Angelica Garcia, agarcia@columbiacollege.edu

International transfer student FAQs

You may stay in the U.S. between programs/F-1 activities if the SEVIS record transfer procedures are correctly followed.

If the period between attending another college and your start date at California College of ASU is longer than five months, California College of ASU must issue a new I-20 with a new SEVIS number. You must leave the U.S. within your 60-day grace period and re-enter no earlier than 30 days before your program start date at California College of ASU.

You must enter the U.S. on the I-20 from California College of ASU. It is important to discuss your travel plans with the California College of ASU Principal Designated School Official so that an appropriate transfer-out date and new I-20 issuance can be coordinated to facilitate your travel.

As long as you have followed the proper transfer procedures, you will be able to use your current, unexpired F-1 visa to reenter the U.S. even though it has your previous school name printed on it.

Yes. You must report to the PDSO on your scheduled New Student Orientation date and no later than the program start date listed on your I-20.