Application Process

Let's get started:

The Office of International Student Services welcomes all international applicants. Below you will find application instructions for each type of applicant:

  1. Full-time F-1 Student - applicants intending to enroll full-time and attend in-person, this includes:
    • Initial applicants currently outside of the U.S. who will obtain an F-1 visa
    • Transfer applicants who are currently in F-1 status transferring from another school
    • Change of status applicants who are currently in the U.S. in another non-immigrant visa status (e.g. B2, F2, H4, E2, etc).
  2. Part-time Concurrent Enrollment - An F-1 status international student currently attending another U.S. college or university, wishing to take only a few units at Cerritos College
  3. International Online or Dual Enrollment - individuals who wish to take classes fully online AND remain abroad, outside of the U.S. (no F-1 visa), including current middle or high school students. 
TERM APPLICATION WINDOW

 

SEMESTER BEGINS

 SEMESTER ENDS
Students Outside of the US Transfer from another US school Concurrent Enrollment & Change of Status
FALL 2024 March 1 - June 1, 2024 March 1 - August 12, 2024 March 1 - August 16, 2024 August 19, 2024 December 20, 2024
SPRING 2025 August 1 - October 31, 2024 August 1, 2024 - January 1, 2025 August 1, 2024 - January 10, 2025 January 13, 2025 May 23, 2025
SUMMER 2025 October 1, 2024 - February 28, 2025 October 1, 2024 - May 20, 2025 October 1, 2024 - May 23, 2025 May 27, 2025 August 15, 2025

Allow 10 business days for processing of a complete application.

Inquiries about the status of an application will only be released to the applicant and/or the authorized third party.

Note: Please be aware that all documents submitted become property of Cerritos College and will not be returned.

 

Full-Time F-1: Application Instructions

Apply Online

View the CCCApply Cerritos Guide for detailed instructions to complete your application.

Once your application is submitted, e-mail all supporting documents to intadmissions@cerritos.edu as attachments in PDF format.

$50.00 US dollar (non-refundable) Application fee:  Once you have submitted your application, you will receive a Welcome letter that includes your Cerritos Student ID, username, and instructions to set up your MyCerritos Portal. 

Once logged in, click 'Student Center' and browse to the 'Finances' section to make your payment. 

Current cost of attendance is USD $24,500. Please note, this fees are subject to change without notice. View Cost of Attendance for details. 

Acceptable documents:

  • Bank statement or bank letter from an account which funds can be liquidated (checking or savings account). Investment accounts are subject for review and approval by Cerritos College.
  • Letter of financial guarantee for students who will be sponsored by their country's government. 

Statement of Financial Support (if applicable):

This form should be completed by the applicant's financial sponsor (the person who's name appears on the financial document provided). The financial sponsor can be a family member, friend or government agency who is financially responsible for the applicant's college expenses including but not limited to tuition, books, housing, health insurance, and other associated fees.  Complete the Statement of Financial Support OR Form I-134 Affidavit of Support (if the sponsor is a U.S. Permanent Resident or U.S. Citizen).

Submission of academic transcripts is a mandatory requirement for:

  1. demonstrating English proficiency
  2. verifying high school completion for applicants under 18 years of age entering Cerritos College.

Please note: translating transcripts to English is not necessary during the initial admissions review. However, to transfer credits from a previous institution to Cerritos College, an official certified English translation and official transcript(s) must be submitted to Admissions & Records. For a list of approved foreign credentials evaluation services, please visit naces.org.

Applicants must fulfill one of the following areas to meet Cerritos College's minimum English Proficiency requirement:

  1. English Proficiency Test Score (no older than 2 years from date of application):
  2. Academic Transcripts
    • High School: Demonstration that the primary language of instruction is English.
      • International students who's native language is not English must have completed a minimum of 2 years of English courses with grades of C or better.
      • IGCSE or GCE O-Level: Successful completion of the exam with a minimum grade of C or better in either English as a First or Second Language.
      • International Baccalaureate: Higher Level (HL) score 3 or higher or Standard Level (SL) score of 5 or higher.
    • US-based University or Community College: demonstration that the primary language of instruction is English.
      • International students who's native language is not English must have completed English Composition or the ESL level directly preceding English Composition, with a grade of C or better.
      •  
  3. Standardized Admission Tests: The SAT or ACT is NOT required for admission to Cerritos College but may be used to meet the English proficiency requirement:
    • SAT - 480 Evidence-based  Reading and Writing
    • ACT - 18 Writing

  4. Intensive English Program*: Students can satisfy Cerritos College's English proficiency requirement by attaining the minimum level in one of the programs below:

*Notes:  All submitted English language test results and language school levels are subject to verification and approval by the Office of International Student Services.

Determine what type of applicant you are (initial, transfer, or change of status) and carefully review the corresponding information below0:

Initial Applicant - students who are currently residing in their home country and will obtain an F-1 visa.

  1. Copy of the biographical data page of your passport
     

Transfer Applicant - students who are currently studying in the U.S. on an F-1 visa.

  1. Copy of the biographical data page of your passport, F-1 visa, and most recent I-94 document
  2. Copy of all pages of all the I-20's you have from all schools you have attended in the U.S.
  3. Copy of your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card (if applicable)

Change of Status - applicants currently in the U.S. in a different non-immigrant status (e.g. B1/B2, H-4, F-2, E-2)

  1. Copy of the biographical data page of your passport, current visa, and most recent I-94 document
  2. After you submit all required documents, schedule an appointment to consult your case with an F-1 adviser.

Spouse and Child/ren - F-2 Visa

Your dependents, i.e legal spouse and an unmarried minor child/ren under age 21, can accompany you (the primary visa holder) to the U.S. with their F-2 visa. To request their F-2 I-20 forms, please email the following documents to intadmissions@cerritos.edu along with your application packet:

  1. Copy of the biographic data page of their passports
  2. Marriage certificate and child birth certificate
  3. Proof of financial support: you must add a minimum of $3,000 per dependent to the Total Cost of Attendance.

Once a complete application has been reviewed, an initial I-20 will be issued.

Review the To-Do List After Acceptance for detailed next steps.

OTHER EXPENSES:

 

Part-time Concurrent Enrollment: Application INstructions

Apply Online

View the CCCApply International Cerritos Guide for detailed instructions to complete your application.

Once your application is submitted, e-mail all supporting documents to intadmissions@cerritos.edu as attachments in PDF format.

$50.00 US dollar (non-refundable) Application fee:  Once you have submitted your application, you will receive a Welcome letter that includes your Cerritos Student ID, username, and instructions to set up your MyCerritos Portal. 

Once logged in, click 'Student Center' and browse to the 'Finances' section to make your payment. 

Email clear copies of the following documents to intadmissions@cerritos.edu as attachments in PDF format: 

  • identity page of valid passport
  • most recent I-20 from your current school

* Please consult with your international student adviser to confirm you are eligible for concurrent enrollment & with your academic counselor to ensure that Cerritos courses will transfer to your current school.  It is the student's full responsibility to verify transfer of credits & equivalency, maintenance of full-time enrollment, and maintenance of valid F-1 status.

Once you have been accepted to Cerritos College, we recommend you schedule a meeting with an international academic counselor for clearance to take your class.

 

Online Abroad Enrollment: Application instructions

We look forward to having you join our closed-knit community and being part of our falcon family. GO FALCONS!

If you have any questions or concerns, contact the Office of International Student Services.