Due to COVID-19, most international students can only be admitted if they plan to take at least one in-person class. The majority of courses are currently online/remote, but please check the Schedule webpage for more information. This information may change at any time. 

On this webpage, you will find the detailed instructions and documents to apply to CCSF for the various programs that we offer to international students (F-1 visa).

To learn more about the different programs before applying, click on "Our Programs" in the navigation bar above.

Applying for the Credit (Academic) Program

Students who apply for the Credit (Academic) Program plan to take credit classes for one (or more) of the following academic goals:

  • Obtaining a Certificate of Achievement/Accomplishment 
  • Obtaining an Associate Degree
  • Transferring to a 4-Year University for a Bachelor's Degree
  • Completing prerequisite courses for a Master's or Doctorate's Program at a university 

Click here to learn more about the Credit (Academic) Program 

Spring 2022 Applications Deadlines

The Spring 2022 application period opens on August 1, 2021. The Spring 2022 semester starts on January 18, 2022. 

  • NEW STUDENTS: The Spring 2022 deadline to submit your application, payment, and documents is November 1, 2021 (new students applying for the F-1 visa in their home country) 
  • TRANSFER STUDENTS: The Spring 2022 deadline to submit your application, payment, and documents is December 1, 2021 (transfer students already in the U.S. with an active I-20 and F-1 status) and for change-of-status applicants. 

Steps to Apply

Step 1
Submit an online international application via OpenCCC (click here). Then, wait up to 3 days to receive an automated email with your CCSF ID number and the links/instructions to pay the $50 application fee and to upload your required documents online. You will also receive a separate email with instructions to set up your CCSF email address.

Step 2
Pay the $50 application fee online from your CCSF myRAM portal. After completing your application (see Step 1 above), you will receive an email within 3 days with instructions on how to make the payment. 

Step 3
Submit required documents online (see "Required Documents" section below). After completing your application (see Step 1 above), you will receive an email within 3 days with instructions and a link to upload your documents online. 

Step 4
Wait up to 4 weeks for our office to review your application, payment and documents. We will email you once our review is complete. You may be required to submit additional information and/or documents.
If you are admitted, you will be required to go through the enrollment steps for new students (orientation, English/Math assessment, counseling, and health insurance). At that time, we will share more information by emailing your CCSF email account. 

Required Documents

Up to 3 days after submitting your online application, you will receive an email with the link and instructions to upload them online. You must use the link to upload your documents, please don't email your documents to our office. 

Below is a checklist of documents you will be required to submit online. Make sure to have a clear PDF version for each document: 

  • Copy of your Passport (biographic page only)
  • Official TOEFL or IELTS or Duolingo score report (click here for more information)
  • Completed Financial Support Form
  • Official Bank Statement/Letter with a minimum balance of 29,200 USD or equivalent (click here for more information)
  • Official High School or College/University Transcript (click here for more information)
  • Additional documents for certain applicants:
    • Transfer-in applicants: F-1 visa copy, most recent I-94, and copies of all previous I-20 Forms
    • Change-of-status applicants: Copy of current U.S. visa 
    • Students under the age of 18: Copy of high school diploma and completed Legal Guardian Form
    • Students who obtained a degree in the U.S.: Personal statement (1-2 pages), explaining why you would like to study at CCSF and your academic goals in the U.S. 
Applying for the Intensive English Program (IEP) or Conditional Admission

The Intensive English Program (IEP) offers English courses and prepares students to become effective, confident speakers of English in academic institutions and professional settings as well as in everyday life. To learn more about the Intensive English Program, fees, and dates, please visit our Intensive English Program webpage.

Conditional admission is intended for international students who require English language instruction before beginning credit classes at the college level. If you are admitted under Conditional Admission, you will first attend the Intensive English Program (IEP) and improve your English. Then you will take the Institutional TOEFL Test at CCSF while studying in the IEP. If you get a TOEFL score of 483 or higher, you will be admitted to the Academic/Credit Program at CCSF for the following semester.

To apply for conditional admission, complete the application process (see "Documents To Submit" section below). Students requesting conditional admission must meet all of the college's international admission requirements except the English proficiency requirement.

To learn more about conditional admission, please visit our Conditional Admission Program webpage. 

  • Out-of-country applicants: 6 weeks before the start of the program
  • In-country, transfer applicants: 2 weeks before the start of the program

View program dates for the Intensive English Program

Steps to Apply

Step 1
Submit your application form, documents and $50 application fee payment/receipt via email to international@ccsf.edu (see "Required Documents" section below)

Step 2
Wait up to 4 weeks for our office to review your application, payment and documents. We will email you once our review is complete. You may be required to submit additional information and/or documents. If you are admitted, you will be required to go through the Intensive English Program (IEP) orientation. You will receive a detailed email about this shortly after being admitted. 

Required Documents

For the Intensive English Program (IEP) or Conditional Admission Program, please email your documents in PDF format to international@ccsf.edu 

  • Application Form
  • Copy of your Passport (biographic page only)
  • Completed Financial Support Form
  • Official Bank Statement/Letter with a minimum balance of 29,200 USD or equivalent (click here for more information)
  • For Conditional Admission applicants only: Official High School or College/University Transcript (click here for more information)
  • $50 Application Fee Payment/Receipt (click here for more information) - Not refundable
  • Additional documents for certain applicants:
    • Transfer-in applicants: F-1 visa copy, most recent I-94, and copies of all previous I-20 Forms
    • Change-of-status applicants: Copy of current U.S. visa 
    • Students under the age of 18: Copy of high school diploma and completed Legal Guardian Form
    • Students who obtained a degree in the U.S.: Personal statement (1-2 pages), explaining why you would like to study at CCSF and your academic goals in the U.S. 
Applying for the Concurrent Enrollment Program

The concurrent enrollment program allows F-1 international students currently studying at another college/university to take classes part-time at CCSF while maintaining their full-time status at their current institution. Concurrent students must obtain written approval of concurrent enrollment from the institution who currently holds their Form I-20. 

Click here to learn more about the Concurrent Enrollment Program for international students.

Concurrent applicants must submit their concurrent application at least 1 week before the semester starts. Concurrent applicants who apply for a late-start course must submit their concurrent application at least 1 week before the course starts. 

Concurrent enrollment allows students currently studying at another college/university to take classes part-time at CCSF while maintaining their full-time status at their current school.

To apply as a concurrent student, please complete the online application linked below:

CCSF Concurrent Enrollment Application for F-1 Visa Students

When filling out the online application linked above, you will be required to upload a copy of your passport, as well as the concurrent enrollment authorization document from a DSO at your current institution. 

After submitting the concurrent enrollment application linked above, please allow 5 business days for processing. We will email you further instructions as soon as your application is processed. 

What happens after I submit my application?

Our office will review and evaluate your application within 4 weeks and will contact you via email once your application has been reviewed (5 business days for concurrent enrollment application). Then:

  • If you are admitted as a new student, you will receive an acceptance letter and a Form I-20. The Form I-20 will allow you to schedule an appointment at the U.S. embassy in your home country to apply for an F-1 student visa. 
  • If you are admitted as a transfer student, you will receive an acceptance letter and a transfer-in form. These documents must be submitted to your current/previous school, so they can transfer your SEVIS record (I-20) to CCSF. 
  • If you are admitted as a change-of-status student, you will receive an acceptance letter and a Form I-20. You will then submit your change of status application to USCIS. 
  • If you are admitted as a concurrent enrollment student, you will receive an email with instructions to set up your RAM ID and register for classes. 

A few weeks after being admitted, we will send you another email with detailed instructions about orientation, English/Math assessment, counseling, health insurance, and others steps to complete in order to register for classes (these steps are not required for concurrent enrollment students).