Cuesta College Welcomes You!
Location:San Luis Obispo CampusStudent Services CenterBuilding 3100, Room 3130B
Phone:(805) 592-9030
Email:international@cuesta.edu
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Learn more and hear from our students!
Cuesta College is approved by the United States Student and Exchange Visitors Program, Immigration & Customs Enforcement as an institution of higher learning for non-immigrant F-1 Visa (Academic Visa) students. Enrollees must attend Cuesta as full-time (12 credits minimum) students and be English-proficient.
Learn more: International Student Program Brochure
Application timelines for ALL international students, including transfers, are as follows:
APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING:
Apply Here!
Please note the following:
Students must show evidence of ability to pay non-resident fees and must maintain enrollment of 12 credits during spring/fall semesters. Completion of this financial certificate is required to verify that the student has sufficient financial resources for personal care, housing, and educational costs. Please refer here for current cost of attendance. Students must present proof of funding for the total amount listed on the "Non-California Resident" table, under the "Off-Campus" column. Be advised that housing is not available at Cuesta College.
Financial aid is not available for international students through Cuesta College. Students holding F-1 Visas may work a maximum of 20 hours per week on the Cuesta College campus AFTER their first full academic year with prior approval from the Director of Admissions & Records. F-1 students are not allowed to work off-campus, unless they have prior authorization from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Classes are conducted in college-level English, therefore, it is necessary to be proficient in reading, writing, and speaking the language. For this reason, Cuesta College requires all F-1 students applying for admission to submit proof of passing an English proficiency exam.
Options are: 1) Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT), 2) International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or 3) Duolingo.
Exams must be completed within the year and official results submitted (sealed in original envelope or e-mailed directly from testing agency to Cuesta College).
TOEFL:Required scores:Internet based minimum of 61,Computer based minimum of 173, or paper based minimum of 500.Inst. Code: 4101Dept. Code: 00Dept. Description: Undergraduate
For more information, contact: TOEFL iBT, Educational Testing Services,PO Box 6151,Princeton, NJ 08541-6155,Phone: (443) 751-4862 or (800) 468-6335 in U.S. only.Email: www.prometric.com/contact-us
Duolingo:Minimum score: 85The Duolingo English Test is an online English proficiency test that can be taken online, on-demand, in under an hour for only $49. The test is taken via a computer with a camera and includes a proficiency score, video interview, and writing sample which are shared with Cuesta College when you send your results. Certified results are available within 48 hours of the test session.
Official transcripts must be evaluated and translated into English by a verified evaluation company. Cuesta recommends SpanTran (reduced cost for Cuesta applicants), ACEI - Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute, Inc. (choose "Comprehensive Report"), or other NACES members (choose Academic/Course-by-Course evaluations). Students must provide certified transcripts of academic records achieved during all prior high school or college attendance. Transcripts submitted must bear the school seal and be signed by the registrar or another appropriate official.
NOTE: Scanned or photo copies as email attachments are not official and will not be accepted. Evaluations must be sent to Cuesta in a sealed envelope or submitted to Cuesta electronically by evaluation company.
Submit the required items by the following methods:
Postal mail: Cuesta College International Student Office, PO Box 8106, San Luis Obispo CA 93403-8106Shipping address: Highway One, Building 7400, San Luis Obispo CA 93405Email: international@cuesta.edu
Once all of the above items are received and processed by our International Student Office, if admission criteria is met, students will be issued an I-20. This document will be necessary to pay the SEVIS fee and to apply for the F-1 Visa at the appropriate U.S. Embassy.
Health Insurance F-1 students will be automatically enrolled in an international insurance plan each semester. Fee will be billed in student's portal.
Tourist/Temporary Visa?
See here for USCIS Special Instructions for B-1 (Temporary Business) and/or B-2 (Tourist) Visitors Who Want to Enroll in School.