Other Non-Citizens
Applying to Columbus State: Next Steps and Tuition Information
Columbus State Community College welcomes students from all backgrounds to be part of our vibrant and diverse campus community. Our staff and faculty are committed to supporting you throughout the process and helping you take the next step toward achieving your educational goals.
Who is a "Global Student"?
Individuals who hold a non-citizen immigration status (such as certain visa types) and who are not Permanent Residents, Refugees, Asylees, or DACA recipients.
If you are applying to receive a Form I-20, please visit www.cscc.edu/f1.
Please note: If you currently have a visa of non-immigrant status (such as B2, C, D, etc.) that does not allow for full-or part-time study, you should consider not enrolling in classes until you have a visa status that permits enrolling in a course of study. In this case, you must travel outside of the US and apply for an F-1 visa or apply for a change of status with USCIS (Form I-539) if you choose to stay in the US before starting your classes. Please note that changing your visa status is a personal decision and ISS cannot offer you advice on when or how to file your Form I-539. For more information regarding how to change your status to F-1, please visit Information For B-1/B-2 Visa Holders and our international student admission information webpage.
Get Started!
Admissions Application Update:
• If you plan to start in Autumn 2026 or later, you will apply using our new system, Workday.
Note: We will begin processing applications for Autumn 2026 starting in early April 2026. You will receive a confirmation email once you complete your application. Please check your email regularly for important announcements and next steps.
• If you plan to start in Spring 2026 or Summer 2026: Please use our existing application and follow the instructions below.
Apply for Admission
Complete the online Standard Application (SP26 & SU26). Eligible high school students wanting to take College Credit Plus (CCP) courses should complete the CCP application.
If you are a returning student or you have previously applied for admission, you do not need to reapply. Please email iss@cscc.edu for next step instructions.
Optional: Tuition Residency Review (Only If You Are Requesting In-State Tuition)
After you submit your application, you will receive an email within 1–3 business days with your CougarID number. This ID allows you to move forward with next steps such as class registration and, if you choose, tuition residency review.
Admission and tuition residency are separate processes. Admission allows you to enroll at CSCC, while tuition residency determines whether you are charged in-state, out-of-state, or international student tuition.
Some students may qualify for in-state tuition based on Ohio residency rules. If you would like to be considered for in-state tuition, the College may request additional information after admission.
If residency review is needed, you will receive an email with a link to the Global Student Immigration Form. This form is used by the Residency team only to review tuition residency and determine which tuition rate applies.
Any documents you submit are used for tuition purposes only. You can be admitted and enroll in classes without completing a residency review. Residency affects tuition rates, not your ability to attend Columbus State.
Next Steps After Submitting Residency Documents (If Applicable)
If you submitted documents for tuition residency review, please follow the steps below:
1) Watch for Your Residency Decision
You will receive an email confirming your tuition residency classification or requesting additional information, if needed.
2) 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. Click here for more details about who must take the CSCC Placement Tests.
3) 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
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.
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.