San Diego City College will accepts nonimmigrant F-1 visa students. Acceptance into a program at the college is necessary before Immigration and Naturalization Service Form I-20 (certificate of eligibility) is issued by the college Admissions Office. The decision to grant an acceptance will be based on all evidence received prior to the deadlines. Students may contact the International Student Admissions Office at the following address to request forms or information:

International Student Web Site
International Student Admissions Office
(619) 388-3476

1) An international student must register for and maintain a minimum of 12 units each semester while at City College. Part-time F-1 status will not be approved. The registration status and academic performance of all international students will be monitored by the college.

2) A recent photograph must be submitted with an application (passport size is acceptable).

3) Prospective international students are advised that they must comply with all requirements of The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

(USCIS) and San Diego City College to be admitted as international students.

4) A transfer student from another accredited United States college or university must:

a. follow set transfer procedures of The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services; and

b. have pursued a full-time course of study with a minimum GPA of 2.0 (C) at the college the student was last authorized to attend. (An official transcript must be filed).

1) An international student must have graduated from high school (or its equivalent) with a grade point average of "C" (2.0) or better.

To be considered for admission, an international student whose native language is not English must present a minimum score of 500 on an International Test of English As a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or 173 on the computerized version. Institutional reports or photocopies will not be accepted. Students may petition to waive the TOEFL requirement under one of the following conditions:

1) completion of a transfer level college English composition course at an accredited United States institution with a grade of "C" or higher;

2) completion of ESL assessment and placement at a level of English 40 (formerly English 62) or higher; in addition, the student must take the prescribed course work at the level of assessment; or

3) a minimum ACT verbal score of 19 or SAT verbal score of 450.

Advanced Degrees: An international student in possession of an associate degree or its equivalent (completion of about 60 semester units) may be determined to be beyond the course offerings of City college and is encouraged to apply to a four-year college or university.
 

3) Financial aid is not available to F-1 visa international students.

4) An international student may not accept off-campus employment while attending college unless approval is granted by The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the International Student Advisor.

1) Students must be in good health and free of communicable diseases. The "Report of Health Examination" form or a medical examination report by a physician must be submitted prior to admission. The medical examination must certify immunization against polio, diphtheria, measles, rubella, and tetanus, and must provide tuberculosis clearance.

The college is located near public transportation and housing. The college does not provide or assist with housing. Housing is the responsibility of the student.

All other visa categories or immigrant classifications, other than F-1 , must see the Residency Office. Students who are residing in the United States on other than F-1 student visas must comply with all restrictions on total units enrolled as specified by the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services.