International Education Program

Apply as an International Student

New International Students coming
to CSM from another country

who need an F1 visa to study in the U.S.

International Students with an Active I20
who attend another college
(concurrent enrollment)

and would like to take a class at CSM.
Email permission document to
csmadmission@smccd.edu
and apply at OpenCCCApply.

International Students Transferring
with an Active I20

from another U.S. college,
university or high school.

Students with an international background

who are U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents,
political asylees, refugees or undocumented.
Follow Steps to Apply & Enroll
and apply at OpenCCCApply.

Application Checklist

Select a program of study on our college degree page
Begin online application (select New User to start application) - Apply Here
Upload documents
Review your application. Click here if you Forgot Your Password
Pay Application Fee and Submit Application
Receive your Admission Email

When to Apply

Spring 2025 - Classes begin on January 13, 2025. For the best selection of classes, we recommend applying before the deadlines.

Application Deadlines: Spring 2025

New F-1 (coming from Outside the USA) – November 15, 2024
Transfer F-1 (within the USA) – January 1, 2025
Global Online Learning (GOL) – January 1, 2025

Fall 2025 - Classes begin on August 13, 2025. For the best selection of classes, we recommend applying before the deadlines.

Application Deadlines: Fall 2025

New F-1 (coming from Outside the USA) – July 1, 2025
Transfer F-1 (within the USA) – August 1, 2025
Global Online Learning (GOL) – August 1, 2025

What we need

Bank Letter or Bank Statement showing funds of at least $32,500 dated no earlier than 3 months before the date you apply. The total estimated expenses are:

Cost Breakdown

Costs are estimates based on the 2024-2025 academic year and are subject to change.

Expenses	Semester	Year
Tuition (12 units @ $367 per unit)*	$4,404	$8,808
Enrollment Fee (12 units @ $46 per unit)*	$552	$1,104
Health Insurance (Fall $1075 \| Spring & Summer $1,505)*	$1,290	$2,580
Living Expenses (based on a shared room with meals for 10 months in the San Mateo Colleges of Silicon Valley Homestay Program.)	$6,875	$13,750
Other**	$3,104	$6,258
TOTAL	$16,225	$32,500

* International/Nonresident tuition, enrollment and health insurance fees will be charged directly by the college at each semester.
** See "Line Item Summary of Costs"

Line Item Summary of Costs

International Program Expenses	Semester	Year
Application Fee (non-refundable, one-time fee)	N/A	$50
Books and Supplies	$500	$1,000
Local Public Transportation	$500	$1,000
Miscellaneous	$2,104	$4,208
TOTAL	$3,104	$6,258

Acceptable Bank Verfication of Funds Documents:

Bank Letters (individual and/or company sponsors)*
Bank Statements (from Saving or Checking accounts)**
Fixed/Term/Time Deposit Statement (bank must indicate that the funds can be withdrawn prior to arrival in the U.S.)
Scholarshiip Letters (Government, Private, or School)

* If it is a company sponsor, they must write a letter stating the relationship with the student and confirmation of their support. All financial documents MUST match the name of the sponsor on the application.

** Bank statement within the last 3 months in English certifying that either the sponsor or the prospective student has sufficient funds (in US dollar amounts, at least $32,500) on deposit to insure full payment of expenses for the student’s first year at San Mateo Colleges of Silicon Valley, OR

If dependents (spouse or child) will be accompanying you, the bank certification and/or Affidavit of support must include an additional $5,000 for the first dependent and an additional $2,500 for each additional dependent.

Transcripts from secondary schools or colleges accompanied by English translations
Copy of your valid passport
Proof of English Language Proficiency: A minimum score or higher on an approved English proficiency examination:

TOEFL iBT - 56
IELTS Band (Academic) - 5.5
Duolingo - 85
PTE Academic - 42
Eiken Grade - 2A
Find more ways to meet the English Requirement here.

Still need English Language Proficiency?

Students who have not yet met the English Language Proficiency level may apply for Conditional Admissions to College of San Mateo by first enrolling in one of our Partner English Language Schools. Two applications are required, one to the Partner English Language School and one to College of San Mateo.

For more information about applying to College of San Mateo, please email csminternational@smccd.edu.