Apply as an International Student
International Students with an Active I20
who attend another college
(concurrent enrollment)
and would like to take a class at CSM.
Send permission document using the
Admissions and Records Contact Form
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
Summer 2025 - Classes begin on June 8, 2025. For the best selection of classes, we recommend applying before the deadlines.
Application Deadlines: Summer 2025
- Transfer F-1 (within the USA) – May 1, 2025
- Global Online Learning (GOL) – May 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 @ $376 per unit)* | $4,512 | $9,024 |
| 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** | $3,021 | $6,042 |
| TOTAL | $16,250 | $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 |
|---|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $500 | $1,000 |
| Local Public Transportation | $500 | $1,000 |
| Miscellaneous | $2,021 | $4,042 |
| TOTAL | $3,021 | $6,042 |
Housing Options
| Option 1 | Option 2 | Option 3 | Option 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private room with meals | Private room without meals | Shared room with meals | Shared room without meals |
| $1,775/month | $1,275/month | $1,375/month | $875/month |
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.
March 30 - April 5, 2025
March 31, 2025
April 17, 2025