Frequently Asked Questions for International Admissions

Undergraduate, Traditional Freshmen

If English is not your native language:
You are required to take TOEFL or IELTS exam and meet current minimum requirements. Upon arrival at CSU, before registering for courses, you will be required to take the COMPASS Math Placement Test.

If English is your native language*:
You are required to take the SAT or ACT exam.

Undergraduate Transfer

If transferring from a non-US regionally accredited institution and English is not your native language, you will be required to take the TOEFL  or IELTS and meet current minimum requirements.

Graduate

If English is not your native language:
And you did not satisfy language proficiency requirement by some other means, you are required to take the TOEFL or IELTS. In addition, all prospective graduate students are required to take a standardized graduate test (GRE, GMAT, or MAT).

You may be able to exempt the TOEFL or IELTS exam if:

• You earned at least 30 transferable credits from an accredited U.S. college or university in which English 1101 and 1102 were taken and a grade of C or better were earned.

To exempt the SAT/ACT totally (this means both math and verbal sections), you must:

• Have earned 30 or more semester hours in an accredited U.S. college or university with a minimum overall G.P.A. of 2.0
• Meet language proficiency requirements

If a student opts to take the SAT/ACT to provide proof of language proficiency the student will need to meet current requirements.

The minimum required scores for both undergraduate and graduate applicants are:

• TOEFL - 69 on the internet based test (IBT) exam
• IELTS - 6.0
• SAT - 480 Evidence-Based Reading/Writing and 440 Math
• ACT - 17 English or 17 Reading and 17 Math

It is important to specify whether you are applying as an undergraduate or graduate student; requirements differ for each student classification. An application along with an application fee, financial guarantee form accompanied by an official bank letter and a sponsor letter (if applicable), professional evaluation of all non-US accredited academic transcripts, official test scores and a certificate of immunization. See the admission information page for details. 

Students enrolling on a non-immigrant visa are not eligible for federal or state aid. F-1 students can, however, apply for a limited number of service scholarships through the Center for Global Engagement.

• May 1 – For summer semester with classes beginning in June
• June 1 – For fall semester with classes beginning in August
• November 1 – For spring semester with classes beginning in January

For SAT, TOEFL and GRE, CSU's school code is 5123.

Please email the Center for Global Engagement about work eligibility.

No. A student must apply and be accepted before an I-20 can be issued.

No, as a non-immigrant, F-1 students are not eligible for in-state tuition.

Yes. You must purchase the insurance provided through Columbus State University. This fee will be included in your tuition and fees. Insurance information can be found at: https://www.uhcsr.com/columbusstate.

Information regarding the English Language Institute Program can be found on their website.