F-1 Newly Accepted Students

Arrival from overseas:

If you are entering the USA from abroad, you have a specific window of time during which you can enter the USA with your F-1 visa and I-20 documents. This date is listed on the first page of your I-20 under EARLIEST ADMISSION DATE. The latest you should enter the USA is listed as the PROGRAM START DATE. Please note, the PROGRAM START DATE and START OF CLASSES on your I-20 may differ. Check these dates and allow yourself plenty of time to arrive in the USA, get settled, attend orientation, and prepare for the first day of classes. Check the academic calendar for the semester you are starting in for other important dates. You can find the calendar here.

Transferring in:

If you are transferring from another institution inside the USA it is your responsibility to have your SEVIS record released to Columbus State before the semester begins. Your acceptance letter will have important next steps and Columbus State's SEVIS school code to share with your current institution. Only after Columbus State has received your previous SEVIS record/Form I-20 will you get an updated I-20 for your new program.

School Reporting:

Once you have been accepted as an F-1 student, you are required by law to report to our office before classes begin. Reporting occurs during the international orientation before the first day of classes.  

Orientation:

Mandatory international student orientation is held every semester for new accepted F-1 students. All new students must attend, even if they are transfer students. If you don't know when and where the next orientation will be held please email f1admission@cscc.edu 

Transfer credit:

Any transcripts that you have previously submitted to the international office are only used for admission purposes. If you have attended a US-based institution and would like to receive transfer credit, you must submit the official transcript sent by your institution for your transcript to be evaluated. If you have attended a college or university overseas, you should obtain an official evaluation from a third party agency and then submit that evaluation to Columbus State. Our office cannot conduct evlauations of US or foreign transcripts. You can find a list of acceptable evaluation companies here: https://www.naces.org/members

Placement testing:

Before registering for classes you may be required to take placement testing. You should do this as soon as you are in the USA. Placement testing may include testing for English, Math, and Science. You may need placement testing even if you are a transfer student. You can find out which placement testing you will need here:
http://www.cscc.edu/admissions/placement-testing/need-placement.shtml
Here is the link to our testing centers hours and locations:
http://www.cscc.edu/services/testingcenter/academic-hours-location.shtml

Registering for classes:

Academic Advising helps students develop their schedules and academic plans. They are separate from the international advisors who focus on helping students with admission, cultural and legal issues surrounding their international student status. Once you are in the USA, you should meet an academic advisor who will help you make choices regarding what courses to register. Upon arrival, you should meet with an advisor from Advising Central. 
Please note that as an international student you are required to register for 12 credit hours in the autumn and spring semesters.

Tuition and Fees:

Most international students can expect to pay approximately $5,620 in tuition or fees in their first semester. Information on tuition, fees, and deadlines is available here: http://www.cscc.edu/academics/tuition-fees/index.shtml 

Please note, this information is subject to change without notice.