International Student Program

Apply Here!

Please note the following:

• Do NOT use special accents or characters when entering personal information in this application. 
• In the immigration section, if you do not yet have a F-1 Visa, select "other" and then click "no documents."  This will let you proceed in the application process. 
• IMPORTANT: 2 business days after submitting your online application, you will receive an email with your myCuesta student portal access. If you do not receive this email within 3 business days, contact us at international@cuesta.edu

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: 4101
Dept. Code: 00
Dept. 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: 85
The 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.