Per current F-1 student regulations from the U.S. government, Credit (Academic) F-1 students must take at least 12 units every semester to maintain their F-1 status. Of these 12 units, at least 9 units must be in-person or hybrid.
Classes are currently offered in-person, hybrid, online, or remote at CCSF. Please check the Class Schedule webpage for more information. This information may change at any time.
Please note the application deadlines for each program, as late submissions will not be processed.
The $50 Application Fee is non-refundable: It is the applicant's responsibility to check the application deadlines before submitting an application.
How to Apply
On this webpage, you will find the detailed instructions and list of required documents necessary to apply to CCSF as an F-1 international student. See below for more information on each program, or you can click on "Our Programs" in the navigation bar above to learn more.
Programs Offered
- Credit (Academic) Program
- Intensive English Program (IEP)
- Conditional Admission Program
- Concurrent Enrollment Program
Overview of International Student Life Cycle (F-1)
To see a brief overview of what it looks like to study in the U.S. as an F-1 international student, please click on the following link from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)/Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) website, Study in the States:
What happens after I submit my application?
Our office will review and evaluate your application and within 3-4 business weeks, we will contact you via email once your application has been reviewed (5 business days for Concurrent Enrollment Program 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 a ÌìÓ鴫ý acceptance letter and a Form I-20. You will then submit your I-539 change-of-status application to USCIS. Admitted change-of-status students holding J-1 visas (or any other U.S. nonimmigrant status enabling enrollment) must maintain valid and active status throughout the entire semester to be eligible for enrollment.
- Information about the USCIS Change-of-Status process can be found on the USCIS website at:
- ​It is the student's responsibility to apply for and request a change-of-status with USCIS after receiving their ÌìÓ鴫ý acceptance letter and Form I-20. Our office is unable to advise, assist directly, or recommend legal services regarding this process due to liability. For questions and complex matters, it is the student's responsibility to seek legal counsel or services from an immigration lawyer.
- After the student submits their I-539 change-of-status application to USCIS and USCIS confirms receipt of it, it will be the student's responsibility to keep our office updated on the status of their USCIS application, and to request an admission deferral to the next semester if their application is still pending with USCIS. Failure to update our office and request an admission deferral to the next semester while the USCIS application is still pending may result in the automatic cancellation of the student's SEVIS I-20 record.
- Information about the USCIS Change-of-Status process can be found on the USCIS website at:
- 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.
Admitted Credit (Academic) Program Students: A few weeks after being admitted, we will send you another email with detailed instructions about online orientation, English/Math assessment, counseling, F-1 health insurance, and other mandatory steps to complete in order to register for classes (these steps are not required for Concurrent Enrollment Program students).
Admitted Intensive English Program (IEP) and Conditional Admission Program Students: A few weeks after being admitted, we will send you another email with detailed information about IEP Orientation Day, F-1 health insurance, tuition fee payment, and other mandatory steps you will need to complete.