Permanent Residents, Refugees, & Asylees
Columbus State Community College welcomes students from all over the world! Whether this is your first college experience in the United States or you are transferring from another American institution, we offer a simple and seamless admissions and enrollment process which is outlined below. These instructions are intended for immigrant, refugee, asylee, and any other students who have been granted permanent residency in the United States by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
If you have a pending immigrant petition or a pending visa petition with USCIS but have not yet been adjudicated, complete the Standard Application as a non-immigrant student and select “Other Visa Holders” as your citizenship status in the US. Click here for more details.
Students who are returning to Columbus State Community College after being previously accepted in the past do not need to reapply. Please see Returning Students for more information.
Get Started Guide
Step 1: Apply
Complete the online Standard Application.
Step 2: Submit Proof of Immigration Status
To determine Ohio residency classification for tuition purposes, submit a copy of the documentation verifying your current immigration status in the United States (both sides of Permanent Resident/Green Card, I-94, or Visa Stamp on passport) in PDF format to iss@cscc.edu. Print your full name and Cougar ID number on the documentation or in the subject line. Please allow 5 business days after you have submitted your supporting immigration documents for processing and admission. Upon admission, you will receive an email confirming your admission and informing you of your next steps.
Steps to enrollment (What to do after being admitted to CSCC)
Step 1: Take a Placement Test, or Submit Test Scores and/or Transcripts
Once you have received your admission email, course placement is your next step. Placement tests determine the appropriate course level for students in their first semester. Tests in reading, writing, and math are required for students who do not have qualifying ACT/SAT, AP, or CLEP scores or transfer credit for college level English and Math. If you attended college outside of the US, you must submit a professional evaluation of your transcripts to be potentially awarded credit and skip placement testing. Please note Columbus State does not award transfer credit for English courses taken at a college or university outside of the US. Click here for more details about who must take the CSCC Placement Tests.
Step 2: Complete an Orientation or New Student Workshop
After you have been accepted and completed placement testing, your next step is to attend either an Orientation or New Student Workshop. There, you'll register for your first classes, discuss financial aid options, learn about campus resources, and get ready to succeed in college. For more information, email orientation@cscc.edu.
Additional Information/Resources
Financial Aid - FAFSA
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the largest provider of student financial aid in the nation. Applications must be completed online each academic year to be eligible for federal, state, or institutional student aid. Student Central offers student financial counseling, workshops, and assistance to help you pursue your educational goals. Please see the Financial Aid webpage for more details.
Pay Tuition & Fees
Fees cannot be paid until after you register for classes. For more information on tuition payment options or how to pay fees, click here.
Foreign Transcripts Evaluation
If you applied for Financial Aid and are selected to verify that you completed high school, or if your program of study (such as Nursing) requires proof of high school graduation, you will need to submit a professional credential evaluation of your high school transcripts. Columbus State accepts credential evaluations from NACES approved companies only. Please click here for a list of approved companies and scroll to the bottom of the page.
If you wish to pursue the possibility of receiving transfer credit from any college or university outside the United States, please click here for more information.