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F-1 Student Admission Instructions

This page details the admissions instructions for students who want to study in the US as an F1 visa holder.

These instructions are for you if:

  • You are currently overseas and want to obtain a student visa to come to the US and study at Columbus State Community College (CSCC)

    or

  • You are currently in the US in F1 status and want to transfer your SEVIS record to CSCC

    or

  • You are in the US with a different visa, such as B or J, and want to change your immigration status to F1 to stay in the US and study at CSCC.**

    *If you are seeking to take a few individual classes without transferring your SEVIS record to CSCC, apply as a transient student by following the instructions here.
    **Columbus State will only issue a Change of Status Form I-20 for your change of status    (COS) application. We do not offer immigration advice. ISS strongly encourages you to work with an experienced immigration attorney if you wish to apply COS in the US.

 

Overseas Applicants: Click the link below to download a PDF of the admissions instructions for overseas applicants

 

Transfer Students: Click the link below to download a PDF of the admissions instructions for current F-1 students looking to transfer their SEVIS record to Columbus State Community College

Step 1: Complete the standard online application:

http://cscc.edu/admissions/apply.shtml

Note: When completing the online application, be sure to indicate that your immigration status in the US is Visa Holder and your visa type is F1 Nonimmigrant Student even if your visa has not yet been adjudicated.

Step 2: Prepare the following documents and submit as a PDF attachment in one email to istudent@cscc.edu. 

Please include your first name, last name, birthdate and Cougar ID (if possible) in the email. Applications will not be reviewed until you have completed and submitted all required documents.

Proof of English Language Proficiency

Test scores over 2 years old cannot be accepted

For direct enrollment into a degree program, achieving at least one of the scores below is required:

TOEFL: Minimum 79 with 20 in both reading and writing portions * OR

IELTS: Minimum 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each band * OR                                                                 

PTE: Minimum 53 * OR

SAT: Minimum Writing score of 480 (new format) OR                                                                      

ACT: Minimum English score of 18 or higher OR

AP: English Composition and Literature test score of 3 or higher OR

Transfer credit: English Composition I with a grade “C” or higher from an accredited US college or university (must submit official transcripts) OR

*CSCC ESL Placement Test: Placement into ESL 190 or higher

*Only applicants currently in Columbus are eligible to take the ESL Placement Test for proof of English proficiency requirement. If you have less than 6 years in the US education system, ESL placement test is required. Columbus State does not waive English proficiency requirements for countries whose primary language is English. Please note that students submitting TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE  results for language proficiency requirement must take ESL placement test before beginning classes at CSCC.

 

For enrollment into our English as a Second Language Training Program (Conditional Admissions to a degree program), achieving at least one of the scores below is required:

TOEFL: Minimum 61 with 18 in both Reading & Writing portions * OR

IELTS: Minimum 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each band * OR

PTE: Minimum 45 * OR

*CSCC ESL Placement Test: Placement into ESL 0188 or ESL 0189

*Only applicants currently in Columbus are eligible to take the ESL Placement Test for proof of English proficiency requirement. ESL courses from other US institutions do not transfer as credit. If you have less than 6 years in the US education system, ESL placement test is required. Columbus State does not waive English proficiency requirements for countries whose primary language is English. Please note that students submitting TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE results for language proficiency requirement must take ESL placement test before beginning classes at CSCC.

 

High School Diploma (or Equivalent) and Transcripts

Submit certified copies of official transcripts and/or examination results issued by the high school/examination board showing completion of education which is equal to a US high school diploma. Diplomas or certificates must show graduation date, examination results, transcript or marks earned and official title of the diploma/certificate.

Note: ISS reserves the right to require the submission of certified translations or professional evaluations of any or all documents. Do not submit original documents as documents submitted to CSCC will not be returned.

Proof of Financial Support

Original bank statements/documents showing funds available to the applicant must be submitted on official bank letterhead. Documents must be fewer than four months old and include the account holder’s name on the statement. All funds must be readily accessible for use to pay tuition and fees (checking, savings, etc.) We cannot accept investment or other accounts that fluctuate or are long-term or restricted such as 401k and/or retirement.

The amount shown must be as follows:

  • $25,897 USD or equivalent plus
  •  Additional $8,066 for accompanying spouse and each child over 12 years of age requiring F2 status
  • Additional $4,033 for each accompanying child under 12 years of age requiring F2 status

Sponsor’s Affidavit of Support

Signed by the student and financial sponsor of student. The name(s) of the sponsor(s) must match those on bank statements. Statements must have original signature and include dates during which support will be provided. Documents over 4 months old will not be accepted. Click here for the CSCC Affidavit of Financial Support form. 

College Transcripts

US College or University: Sent directly from previous or current institution to Columbus State: ATTN: College Transfer Evaluator. Only official, unopened or electronic transcripts will be accepted. Click here for instructions.

Foreign College Records: If you would like to request transfer credit for courses completed overseas, you must have transcripts evaluated by a professional evaluation company like www.WES.org and www.ECE.org. Only original, unopened evaluations will be accepted.

Immigration Documents

Submit copies of the following items:
- Biographic information page of passport
- US Visa Stamp in passport (if available)
- Copy of I-94 record (if already in the USA). You can obtain yours here.
- Copy of current I-20 or DS 2019 (if already in the USA in F or J status)

Copies of documents should be emailed directly to istudent@cscc.edu as a single PDF attachment. Please include your first name, last name, birthdate and Cougar ID (if possible) in the email. Documents submitted to CSCC will not be returned.

Please note that all information and forms are subject to change without notice.



 

Department Contact

Academics Department

(614) 287-0000

academics@cscc.edu