International Students

Cypress College welcomes applications for its International Student Program. Our college is authorized under federal law to enroll non-­­immigrant F-1 visa students. One of the goals of the program is to provide positive educational opportunities for students in an effort to improve the global community. The staff offers assistance with admissions, academic advisement, registration into classes and orienting students to living in Southern California.

  • F-1 visa students are required to pay a non-resident tuition and enrollment fee. This fee is determined by the NOCCCD Board of Trustees each year and is due at the time of registration.
  • Only persons who qualify for F-1 student visas are eligible for admission.
  • Deadlines for the acceptance of applications from international students are July 1 for the Fall semester and December 1 for the Spring semester.
  • The fee for the necessary special handling and processing of the application package of non-resident F-1 students is $40.
  • The F-1 visa student is required to complete a full-time program (12 units or more) each semester of attendance and maintain a 2.0 GPA.

Admission Requirements

  1. The applicant must possess knowledge of the English language sufficient to result in a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 61 (IBT, Internet-Based TOEFL).
  2. The applicant must offer evidence of a degree of academic achievement the equivalent of an American high school education, twelve years of elementary and secondary school, or be at least 18 years of age. The student must submit a transcript of an official school record accompanied by a notarized English translation.
  3. The applicant must offer evidence of financial responsibility.
  4. The applicant who has attended other American schools or colleges may be considered for admission provided the applicant meets Cypress College admission requirements and can show proof of a valid immigration status with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (USDHS).
  5. After the completion of the above requirements, the applicant will be considered for admission and will be notified of his/her acceptance or non-acceptance. If accepted, the applicant will also be sent a SEVIS I-20 form and registration information.
  6. F-1 visa students are held to the same scholastic requirements and to the same college policies and regulations as other students.
  7. F-1 visa students must enroll in the health and accident insurance policy mandated by the college. The policy includes major medical coverage, repatriation and evacuation. Students without health insurance will not be able to register each semester.
  8. F-1 visa students will not be accepted for admission into any program when applications by qualified U.S. citizens exceed space available.

F-2 Dependents

Effective May 29, 2015, F-2 visa dependents (spouses and children) can now enroll in study at a SEVP-certified school so long as the study remains less than a full course of study. F-2 dependents remain prohibited, however, from engaging in a full course of study unless they apply for, and DHS approves, a change of nonimmigrant status authorizing such study.