International FAQs
- Does CSUSB offer any financial aid to international students?
- Do I have to take any placement tests for CSUSB?
- Are the placement tests difficult?
- When should I register?
- How many classes should I register in?
- How should I come to San Bernardino, from Ontario or Los Angeles International Airport?
- What is an I-20 and I-94?
- When should I arrive in San Bernardino?
- What services are available to students with disabilities?
Does CSUSB offer any financial aid to international students?
As a public university, CSUSB offers limited scholarships to international students. Even without financial aid, CSUSB is often less expensive than universities which offer partial financial assistance.
Do I have to take any placement tests for CSUSB?
The English Placement Test (EPT) and the Entry Level Mathematics Test (ELM) are required of all incoming undergraduate students PRIOR to registering for classes; therefore, you will need to take these tests before you attend CSUSB unless you are exempt. See (our link for how to be exempt) to find out if you qualify for exemption.
Are the placement tests difficult?
The English and math placement tests are not “pass” or “fail” tests. They are meant to assist us in placing you in the appropriate class and level. The English test includes an essay. It will be graded and reviewed by faculty members from our English department. The math test starts with simple questions and becomes progressively more difficult.
When should I register?
New international students must always register at the International Center (IC). Registration is included as part of the mandatory new student orientation that is offered each quarter.
How many classes should I register in?
As an F-1 student, you need to complete a minimum of 12 units per quarter with passing grades. This represents approximately three classes per quarter. Students are encouraged to enroll in at least 16 units (approximately four 4 classes) per quarter. Taking 16 units per quarter allows a student who may encounter difficulty in a specific course the option to drop the class without jeopardizing their full-time status.
How should I come to San Bernardino, from Ontario or Los Angeles International Airport?
If you send the International Center your itinerary at least five days prior to your arrival, they will arrange for someone to pick you up. There is a fee of $60 for trips from Ontario and $120 from Los Angeles that you will pay to the driver at the time you arrive.
What is an I-20 and I-94?
An I-20 is an immigration form that all schools issue to international students to indicate they have met all admission requirements to enter that school. It is the form that you need to take to the nearest U.S. Consulate in your country, along with a valid passport, TOEFL score, financial support documents and school transcripts, to obtain a student F-1 visa. Upon entering the country, the immigration officer will stamp the entry date and your F-1 status onto your I-94 form that will be given to you by the airline crew before you land in the U.S. The I-94 form will then be stapled to your passport. Please bring all of these documents with you when you come to CSUSB so we can make a photocopy of them for our records. It is important that you keep your passport and these forms in a safe place. You will be required to show these documents when you leave and return to the U.S. or transfer to another school at a later date.
When should I arrive in San Bernardino?
You can arrive as early as 30 days before classes start. We recommend that you arrive in time for the orientation program that is scheduled approximately one week before the beginning of the quarter. This will give you time to meet other students, see an academic advisor, find housing and get acquainted with the new environment. If you should arrive earlier, please call the International Center at (909) 537-5193 to inform us you have arrived.
What services are available to students with disabilities?
The office of Services to Students with Disabilities provides services to students with permanent or temporary disabilities with accommodations specific to the student needs. Services may include: tape-recording of course-related materials, sign language interpreting, exam accommodations, assistance in registering for courses, campus orientation, typing papers for eligible students, assistance with library research and laboratory assignments and mobility assistance. Diagnostic assessment to identify learning disabilities may also be provided.
