Due to COVID-19, new students who are applying from their home country can only be admitted if they plan to take at least one face-to-face class. However, transfer students who are already in the U.S. with a valid F-1 visa and I-20 can be admitted even for fully online programs. 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. 

Please send all of your application documents via e-mail to: international@ccsf.edu

Applying for the Academic/Credit Program

Fall 2021 Applications Deadlines

The Fall 2021 application period opens on March 1, 2021. The Fall 2021 semester starts on August 14, 2021. 

  • NEW STUDENTS: The deadline for Fall 2021 applications is June 1, 2021 (new students applying for the F-1 student in their home country) 
  • TRANSFER STUDENTS: The deadline for Fall 2021 transfer applications is July 1, 2021 (transfer students already in the U.S. with an active I-20 and F-1 status) and for change-of-status applicants. 
  • Application Form
  • Copy of your Passport (Bio-page)
  • Official TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo score report (scroll down for more information)
  • Official Bank Letter and Financial Support Form (scroll down for more information)
  • Official High School or College/University Transcript (scroll down for more information)
  • $50 Application Fee (scroll down for more information) - Not refundable
  • Additional documents for transfer-in applicants:
    • F-1 visa copy
    • Most recent I-94 copy
    • Copies of all previous I-20 forms
  • If you are under 18 years old, please include the following:
Applying for the Conditional Admission Program

Conditional admission is intended for international students who require English language instruction before beginning studies at the college level. If you are conditionally admitted, you will first attend the Intensive English Program (IEP), located on the Ocean Campus in Cloud Hall, to study English in an intensive environment.

Students will first attend the IEP at CCSF and improve their English. Then they will take the Institutional TOEFL Test at CCSF while studying in the IEP. If they get a TOEFL score of 483 or higher, they will be admitted to the Academic/Credit Program at CCSF for the following semester.

To apply for conditional admission, complete the application process. 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 the program dates for the Intensive English Program (if you are admitted under Conditional Admission, you will start in the Intensive English Program).

This is for applicants who wish to apply for the Academic Program but have not obtained the required TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo score. Applicants will first attend the Intensive English Program (IEP) to obtain the required TOEFL score.

  1. Application Form
  2. Copy of your Passport (Bio-page)
  3. Official Bank Letter and Financial Support Form (scroll down for more information)
  4. Official High School or College/University Transcript (scroll down for more information)
  5. $50 Application Fee (scroll down for more information) - Not refundable
  6. Additional documents for transfer-in applicants:
    • F-1 visa copy
    • Most recent I-94 copy
    • Copies of all previous I-20 forms
  7. If you are under 18 years old, please include the following:
Applying for the Intensive English Program (IEP)
  • 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

This is for applicants who wish to only learn English without any further educational goal at CCSF

  1. Application Form
  2. Copy of your Passport (Bio-page)
  3. Official Bank Letter and Financial Support Form (scroll down for more information)
  4. $50 Application Fee (scroll down for more information) - Not refundable
  5. Additional documents for transfer-in applicants:
    • F-1 visa copy
    • Most recent I-94 copy
    • Copies of all previous I-20 forms
  6. If you are under 18 years old, please include the following:
Applying for the Concurrent Enrollment Program

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. 

Important notes: 

  • Concurrent students are only admitted for one particular semester. If they wish to continue studying as a concurrent student the following semester, they must re-apply. 
  • Your concurrent application will be processed within 5-7 business days. You will receive an email with your CCSF student ID number and instructions to register for classes. 
  • CCSF does not have the required permission for students from other states to take courses at CCSF. If you are at school in another state, you cannot take online courses concurrently at CCSF.

How do I submit my application documents?

Please send all of your documents via e-mail to: international@ccsf.edu 

  • Only include PDF documents
  • Each PDF file should be renamed according to its content (example: "Passport.pdf")

(Due to COVID-19, we currently don't accept applications submitted via postal mail or in person).

What happens after I submit my application?

Our office will review and evaluate your application within 4 to 5 weeks and will contact you via email once your application has been reviewed. Then:

  • If you are 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 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. 
  • A few weeks later, we will send you another email with detailed instructions about orientation, counseling, and steps to complete for class registration.