CHHS >> Counseling >> International Students
International Students
Who is an international student?
An international student is a student who plans to study at SF State on a nonimmigrant visa. Most international students admitted to SF State obtain F-1 or J-1 visas; however, it is possible to enter on other nonimmigrant visas.
Students who are studying at other U.S. institutions with valid nonimmigrant visas which permit university enrollment can transfer to SF State without applying for a new visa.
How do international students apply?
International students should apply to the university on–line through California State University CSU Mentor. Applying online is the quickest and easiest way to send an application to us. Two versions of the CSU Mentor application are available. Applicants studying at colleges outside of the US should click on the International Admissions Application link. Applicants transferring from US institutions should apply using the domestic admission application.
International students must also request for a Department of Counseling program application through 
email or written request to:
- Department of Counseling - BH 524
- San Francisco State University
- 1600 Holloway Avenue
- San Francisco, CA 94132-4161
Application and required document deadlines
Department of Counseling program and University Applications must be RECEIVED by January 15th. Exceptions to this deadline will not be accepted for any reason.
Where do I send application, fee or required documents?
For University Application:
- San Francisco State University
- Graduate Admissions
- 1600 Holloway Avenue
- San Francisco, CA 94132
- U.S.A.
For Master’s in Counseling Application:
- Department of Counseling – BH 524
- San Francisco State University
- 1600 Holloway Avenue
- San Francisco, CA 94132
- U.S.A.
University application and required documents checklist
- Complete Application (online: CSU Mentor, or paper: International Student Application)
- Application fee: $55 by credit card online, personal check, or money order
- Official TOEFL/IELTS score report, unless waived for certain countries or as a transfer student
- Official GRE/GMAT score report for certain postgraduate majors
- Official transcripts/diplomas or certified/attested copies of these documents from high/secondary school, if needed
- Official transcripts/diplomas or certified/attested copies from all colleges/universities attended
- Certified English translations must accompany all non-English documents
- Required Documents
You will receive information about the Department of Counseling program application required documents once you receive the department application.
When will I find out if I am admitted?
Postgraduate applications may take longer because the final admission decision is made by the academic department for each major. Decisions will be made by May 1st.
You can check the status of your postgraduate applications online here.
To request DHL or Federal Express service for the admission documents and I-20, please contact the admission offices.
Postgraduate admissions email: gradstdy@sfsu.edu
Postgraduate international admission requirements (student on a non-immigrant visa)
Have earned a degree or diploma that SF State considers to be the equivalent to a 4-year U.S. bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
If educated in the U.S., have attained a GPA of 3.0 (A = 4.0) or more in the last 60 semester (90 quarter) units attempted. If educated in a non-U.S. university, have acceptable academic performance as determined by the Graduate Admissions office. Certain majors have stricter requirements regarding academic preparation.
Original academic transcripts/records showing all courses or subjects, dates of enrollment and grades/marks received, official degree(s), diploma(s), or certificate(s) awarded or certified/attested copies of all original documents by the appropriate university or government official.
Certified English translation must accompany all non-English documents.
An official TOEFL score report with at least a minimum of 550 paper/213 computer/80 ibT or an official IELTS score report with at least a minimum of 6.5 except where English is the official language of the country. Certain majors require a higher TOEFL/IELTS scores.
Required minimum TOEFL score for most graduate majors: 550 paper/213 computer 79-80 internet.
Requirement minimum IELTS score for most graduate majors: 6.0.
TOEFL/IELTS is waived if graduated from a university in an English-speaking country.
Required minimum average of grades/marks/scores: 3.0 on 4.0 scale.
Most majors require a personal essay and letters of recommendation.
Certain majors require GRE of GMAT.
Completed a degree/diploma that SF State considers to be equivalent to a four-year degree.
The Department of Counseling requires the GRE. However, GRE scores will not determine our recommendation to either admit or deny you admission to our program. We only use this score chiefly as a measure of writing proficiency and not necessarily for admission. We will review the Analytical Writing score so that we may determine your writing needs before you enter the program. We will not automatically disqualify applicants for admission because of their GRE Analytical Writing score. However, our department expects our students to write at the graduate level. Those who do not meet the minimum writing expectation, that is a 4.0 on the Analytical Writing Section of the GRE General Test, upon admission will be required to take a writing course, usually at an additional cost.
Costs
University fees/tuition and cost of living expenses:
| Tuition & Fees – Undergraduates | ||
| University Fees | $4,740.00/year | $2,370.00/semester |
| Tuition (12 units/semester @ $339/unit) | $8,928.00/year | $4,464.00/semester |
| Subtotal | $13,668.00/year | $6,834.00/semester |
| Tuition & Fees – Graduates | ||
| University Fees | $5,676.00/year | $2,838.00/semester |
| Tuition (8 units/semester @ $339/unit) | $5,892.00/year | $2,976.00/semester |
| Subtotal | $11,628.00/year | $5,814.00/semester |
Graduate students in the College of Business will be charged a MBA/MSBA program fee at a rate of $1,200 for full-time students in addition to University fees and tuition starting in fall 2007.
| Living Expenses | |
| Room & Board | $11,970 |
| Books & Supplies | $1,734 |
| Transportation | $1,272 |
| Personal Expenses | $3,114 |
| Health Insurance | $1,160 |
| Subtotal | $19,250 |
| Totals per academic year | |
| Undergraduate | |
| Tuition & Fees | $13,668 |
| Living Expenses | $19,250 |
| Total | $32,918 |
| Graduate | |
| Tuition & Fees | $11,628 |
| Living Expenses | $19,250 |
| Total | $30,878 |
DEPENDENTS: $5,000 per year for spouse/each child
International student financial statement
For students who plan to enter the U.S. on an F-1 or J-1 student visa, certificates of eligibility (Form I-20 or DS-2019) for obtaining the visas cannot be issued until the student has proven ability to provide full financial support for their entire stay at SF State. A financial statement must show that the student has the cost of living and studying at SF State for two semesters in deposit at a financial institution in the U.S. or foreign country. The date on the financial statement must be no more than four months when received by the admission offices. The cost of living and studying at SF State for two semesters is shown above.
Students who are studying at other U.S. institutions and have valid visas may be able to transfer to SF State without applying for a new visa, but they still need to submit a financial statement.
An international student may use one of the choices below for the financial statement:
- SF State form for the financial statement
- The financial statement section in the SF State International Student Application
- An original letter on the financial institution's letterhead, signed and dated by the institution's appropriate officer
Sponsors
A sponsor is a person willing to financially support the student while he or she is studying at SF State. The sponsor must submit a letter indicating their willingness to support the student, signed and dated by the sponsor. In addition, the sponsor must submit her/his original financial statement (see above) and attached it to the letter.
Financial loans or scholarships
Please check the Financial Assistance Web page for more information. There are scholarships and loans available to international students at SF State. International students are not eligible for United States federal or state financial aid.
On–campus jobs
International students may work on campus up to 20 hours per week during the semester and up to 40 hours per week during winter/spring break and summer. To find out about on-campus jobs, go to monstertrak.com.
F-1/J-1 visa students are only eligible for on-campus jobs that are non-work study. Work Study jobs are a part of the federal financial aid program.
In order to work on campus, international students must have a social security number before starting the job. OIP can assist students in applying for social security cards after the student has obtained a written job offer from the on-campus employer. It may take several weeks for the U.S. Social Security Administration to issue the student a social security card which is required before starting the on-campus job.
Remember, F-1 students may not work off campus without proper authorization from the Office of International Programs or the U.S. Immigration Service.
Medical Insurance Agreement
International students must agree to have or obtain insurance coverage for health, medical repatriation and evacuation that meets the NAFSA medical insurance guideline for admission. This agreement is on the bottom of the financial statement or SF State International Student Application. It must be signed by the applicant.
After admission to SF State, students may purchase medical health insurance through the SF State Student Health Service (SHS).
Students who already have insurance must submit a "Student Affidavit of Health Insurance" form to the SF State Student Health Service (SHS). The affidavit must be completed and signed by the student's medical health insurance provider. Click to download the instructions and affidavit form.
Students must have medical health insurance before registering for classes. If you have purchased the SF State sponsored health insurance policy, it will be automatically reported to SF State Registrar's Office. For students who have their own medical health insurance, after the SHS has reviewed the affidavit from the student's insurance provider, the Registrar's Office will be notified. Please allow 10 business days for this review.
Immunizations
All new and readmitted students born after Jan. 1, 1957 will need to show present proof of measles and rubella immunizations. Students younger than 18 must also present proof of immunization against hepatitis B. Please submit a copy of immunization record with English translation, if needed, or use the MMR/Hep B certification form for your doctor/clinic to complete. Please submit to:
- San Francisco State University
- Registrar's Office
- 1600 Holloway Avenue
- San Francisco, CA 94132
Failure to comply with this requirement will result in a registration hold. San Francisco State University's Student Health Center has more information about immunization.
SEVIS Information Form
Due to the implementation of SEVIS (Student & Exchange Visitor Information System), home country address, city of citizenship, and city of birth must be recorded before a student visa may be issued. This requirement is met when using the International Student Application. When completing the domestic CSUMentor application, a separate SEVIS Information Form must be submitted to provide this information.
Obtaining an F-1 student visa
You should apply for a visa at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country using the Notice of Admissions and an I-20 from SF State. If you have been accepted by several U.S. colleges or universities, do not apply for your F-1 student visa until you decide which institution you want to attend. Please only use the SF State I-20 form to apply for a visa and enter the U.S. if you are planning to attend our university.
Please read the "Important Visa and Immigration Information" section in the Welcome Packet on the OIP Web page.
How can I improve my English language skills?
The American Language Institute (ALI) on the SF State campus can provide you with the English skills necessary for academic success. You are encouraged to enroll in ALI if you haven't acquired the minimum TOEFL/IELTS score to be admitted to SF State or if you need assistance in improving your language skills. ALI programs are offered three times a year, beginning in February, June, and September. Instruction focuses on reading, writing, listening and comprehension. ALI issues certificates of eligibility (I-20) for F-1 student visas.
Office of International Programs
The Office of International Programs (OIP) helps international students who would like to apply to SF State. Once a student is enrolled at SF State, OIP helps students adjust to life at the University and in the United States. The OIP offers orientation programs, workshops on important topics, and one-on-one counseling on immigration, academic, employment and financial matters. Throughout the year, the OIP sponsors social, cultural and recreational activities that will enable you to make new friends and get the most out of your stay at SF State and in California.
The OIP employs courteous, multilingual staff members who are sensitive to the needs and concerns of international students and eager to help make your stay enjoyable, comfortable and safe.
Please contact the OIP at 
1.415.338.1293 for further information. The OIP is located in the Administration building, Room 450.
California Residency
To be eligible for California resident classification, an applicant must be either a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (Green Card holder) or have a visa that allows residency, and have maintained residency in California at least one year. F and J visa holders are not eligible for residency fees.
About San Francisco
Visit SFGate.com or the Convention and Visitors Bureau to find out about all the wonderful places you can explore while attending SF State.
