International Student Admissions 

Welcome to Columbus State! Below you will find the steps and required documents to apply as an international student (F-1 visa holder or applicant) and to request a Form I-20 for F-1 visa purposes. If you are not an F-1 visa appliant, visit the global student admissions page for instructions for different immigration statuses and visa types.  

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Admissions Application Update:

• If you plan to start in Autumn 2026 or later, you will apply using our new system, Workday.

Standard application (AUTUMN 2026 OR LATER)

Note: We will begin processing applications for Autumn 2026 starting in early April. You will receive a confirmation email once you complete your application, but additional onboarding items are required for F-1 applicants before a Form I-20 can be issued. Please check your email regularly for important announcements and next steps. 

 

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Form I-20 Requirements 

To receive a Form I-20 for F-1 visa purposes, you must complete the onboarding items in your Workday Student account by providing the following documentation:

• Passport
• Proof of Completion of Secondary Education
• Financial Affidavit and bank statements showing your ability to pay for 1 years' worth tuition
• Test results or US college transcript (see below for more information)

Please note: Workday Student will go live in April 2026. At that time, you will receive instructions to login to your Workday Student account and complete the required onboarding items for a Form I-20.

Financial Affidavit and Bank Statements

As part of the F-1 visa requirements, you or your financial sponsor must provide proof of sufficient funds to cover the cost of attendance for at least one academic year. This includes submitting a financial affidavit with recent bank statement from a checking or savings account showing a balance equal to or greater than the required cost of attendance. Review the Financial Affidavit below for the required amount to be shown. Please note that the cost of attendance is subject to change without notice.

Download the Financial Affidavit

Learn more about the cost of attendance as an international student.

Test Results or US College Transcripts 

All F-1 applicants are required to submit valid, unexpired test results meeting the minimum required score or an official U.S. college transcript showing completion of English Composition I before a Form I-20 can be issued.

These materials are required of all students requesting a Form I-20. Waivers are not available, including for students whose first language is English.

Columbus State accepts only the exam results or documentation listed below for I-20 issuance. You are required to submit one of the following options.

• TOEFL (internet-based test or internet-based Home Edition):
  Exams taken before January 21, 2026: A minimum score of 79 or higher is required          Exams taken after January 21, 2026: A minimum score of 4.0 or higher is required
• IELTS: 6.5 or higher
• SAT: 480 or higher in Evidence Based Reading & Writing
• ACT: 18 or higher in English
• Official U.S. college transcript with completed course equivalent to English Composition I (ENGL 1100) - must have transcript on file with Columbus State | How to submit official transcripts

If you do not have test scores or transcripts, use the links below to contact a testing company of your choice to reserve your test appointment. Most exams are administered worldwide and have at-home testing available. 

TOEFL

IELTS

SAT

ACT (USA only)  

Please note: Columbus State issues I-20s only for associate degree programs. F-1 students are not eligible for all programs, including non-credit courses, English as a Second Language (ESL), fully online programs, or certificate programs.

Health Science majors: Most Health Science programs (such as Nursing) have competitive and selective admission processes that are separate from the I-20 process. Students who are issued an I-20 will work with a Health Science advisor after receiving their I-20.

Deadlines & Important Dates

To be considered for the semester you are applying to, all required I-20 documents must be received by the deadline listed below.

.	Applicants outside the US	Students inside the US
Autumn Semester	June 1	July 15
Spring Semester	October 1	November 15
Summer Semester	Not available	Not available

Columbus State does not issue I-20s for the summer term.

https://www.cscc.edu/academics/calendar/