Lori Meadows
International students make up a significant portion of the student population in San Francisco, with the city being home to several universities that cater to non-resident students, including San Francisco State University and the University of San Francisco. To become a resident of San Francisco as an international student, one must meet certain requirements, including establishing permanent residence in California, demonstrating financial readiness, and meeting specific visa requirements.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Student visa requirements | F-1/J-1 visa |
| Enrollment status | Must be enrolled in a declared major |
| Enrollment frequency | Must be enrolled every semester |
| Course load | 12 units per semester |
| Health insurance | Must show evidence of coverage |
| Evidence of financial support | Must demonstrate financial readiness for tuition and living costs |
| Residency determination | Based on the student's Application for Admission, Residency Questionnaire, and other information |
| Residency requirements | Must live in California continuously for at least 366 days prior to the first day of school |
| Documents for residency | California driver's license, California Identification Card, California Motor Vehicle registration, Federal and State tax records |
| Financial aid | Not eligible for federal financial aid, but may qualify for scholarships, fellowships, or teaching assistantships |
| Housing | Be aware of unreliable landlords and roommates |
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What You'll Learn
- International students must secure a non-immigrant visa and meet residency requirements
- Students must demonstrate financial readiness for tuition and living costs
- International students are enrolled in a university-sponsored health insurance program
- Students must submit academic records and a Certification of Finances form
- Students must demonstrate intent to remain in California for more than a year
International students must secure a non-immigrant visa and meet residency requirements
To become a resident of San Francisco as an international student, you must secure a non-immigrant visa and meet the residency requirements. Here are the key steps and considerations:
Securing a Non-Immigrant Visa:
- International students outside the United States need to obtain an admission offer from a university, along with a U.S. Immigration Certificate of Eligibility, to secure a non-immigrant student visa (F or J visas).
- Students with an F-1 visa must demonstrate financial readiness by proving that they or their sponsors can fund their educational and living expenses. This is done by submitting a Certification of Finances form and supplemental bank statements.
- Students on F-1 visas can enter the US up to 30 days before the start date on their I-20 form.
- J-1 visa holders are also required to show evidence of health insurance coverage to register for courses.
Residency Requirements:
- To be classified as a California resident for tuition purposes, students must meet the eligibility criteria, which includes having a specific immigration status that allows establishing permanent residence in California.
- Students must live in California continuously for at least 366 days before the first day of the semester to qualify as a resident.
- The student and, in some cases, their parents must have the legal ability to establish permanent residence in California.
- Students must demonstrate their intent to make California their home. This can be done by providing documents like a California driver's license, California Identification Card, California tax records, or other accepted forms of intent.
- Students under 19 years old derive their residency status from their parents or legal guardians.
- Residency requirements and determinations are made by the Admissions Office or the Residency Officer at the respective educational institution.
- It is important to note that students who are in California solely for educational purposes are not eligible for resident classification, regardless of their length of stay.
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Students must demonstrate financial readiness for tuition and living costs
To become a resident of San Francisco as an international student, you must demonstrate financial readiness for tuition and living costs. International students are not eligible for federal financial aid, and San Francisco has the highest cost of living of any city in the United States.
To demonstrate financial readiness, students must complete a Certification of Finances form and provide bank statements that indicate funds for the total costs of their graduate program for the first year. This is a requirement for receiving an F-1 student visa, which is necessary for international students outside of the United States. Students must also show evidence of health insurance coverage to be permitted to register for courses.
Even if a graduate program awards financial assistance, students must still verify that they have the remaining funds to qualify for an F-1 student visa. Students and their sponsors must be able to fund all or a significant amount of their educational and living expenses in the United States.
There are some scholarships, fellowships, and teaching assistantships available for international students at the University of San Francisco. The University of San Francisco also offers a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) that provides free tax return preparation.
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International students are enrolled in a university-sponsored health insurance program
International students in the United States are advised to have health insurance, as medical care in the country is expensive, and paying out-of-pocket may affect their ability to study abroad. While the U.S. Department of State does not require F-1 or F-2 visa holders to have health insurance, international students' universities usually do.
International students are typically enrolled in a university-sponsored health insurance program. Students can also remain on their parents' health insurance plan in the US until they turn 26. They should check if they qualify for this and if the plan will cover them while studying in the US. Many universities automatically enrol international students in their health insurance plan unless they provide proof of outside insurance.
University-sponsored health insurance plans for international students are designed to provide the right mix of benefits, value, and coverage to keep students safe and healthy while studying abroad. These plans are tailored specifically for international and study abroad students and scholars. They generally cover physical health, mental wellness, financial protection, crisis support, and personal property.
When selecting a health insurance plan, international students should consider whether they plan to pursue Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation, as the coverage they have while enrolled may not extend beyond graduation. They should also compare prices, benefits, and the duration of the plans to determine the best fit. It is recommended to work with an advisor to navigate the system and choose the right plan.
International students at the University of Notre Dame, for example, are automatically enrolled in university-sponsored insurance. This insurance is available to all enrolled students, regardless of whether they carry university-sponsored health insurance. Similarly, San Francisco State University offers health insurance to its international students, and the details can be found on their website.
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Students must submit academic records and a Certification of Finances form
International students play a valuable role in the richly diverse community at the University of San Francisco (USF). To become a resident of San Francisco as an international student, you must submit various documents, including academic records and a Certification of Finances form.
The University of San Francisco recommends that international students arrive at least 10 days before the first day of classes in the fall and spring semesters to finalise housing arrangements and attend the International Student Orientation. International students are also required to attend the International Graduate Student Orientation in spring (late January) or fall (late August).
To establish California residency for tuition purposes, you must live in California continuously for at least 366 days before the first day of school of the petition semester. To petition for reclassification as a California resident, you must provide clear and convincing evidence that you have satisfied all the conditions. This includes demonstrating the legal ability to establish permanent residence in California and providing documents that verify your immigration status.
International students must submit academic records and a Certification of Finances form to verify their financial readiness for tuition and living costs. This form must be completed and uploaded with the online application to the program. It should include bank statements that indicate funds for the total costs of your graduate program for the first year. This is because international students are not eligible for federal financial aid and must, therefore, present satisfactory evidence of adequate funds to meet their financial needs at the time of enrollment.
The University of San Francisco does not offer federal or state financial aid for international students. However, the U.S. Department of Education has identified special circumstances in which non-U.S. citizens may qualify for student aid. Additionally, all international students are considered for scholarships, fellowships, or teaching assistantships offered by the individual graduate programs. There are also online financial aid sources for scholarships, grants, and loans for international students, including the College Board, Scholarship Finder, and EducationUSA.
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Students must demonstrate intent to remain in California for more than a year
To establish California residency for tuition purposes, students must demonstrate their intent to remain in California for more than a year. This is because California residency allows students to pay in-state tuition fees, which are lower than out-of-state fees.
To demonstrate this intent, students must provide clear and convincing evidence that they have lived in California continuously for at least 366 days before the first day of the petition semester. This can be proven with documents such as a California driver's license, California state identification card, California vehicle registration, federal and state tax records, and more. These documents must include the student's name and California address and must not be older than two years.
International students who are non-immigrants must secure a non-immigrant student visa before receiving their admission documents and U.S. Immigration Certificate of Eligibility. They must also demonstrate that they can fund their educational and living expenses in the United States. This can be done by submitting a Certification of Finances form and supplemental bank statements with their application.
It is important to note that students who are in California solely for educational purposes are not eligible to be classified as residents, regardless of their length of stay. Additionally, international students are not eligible for federal financial aid, and San Francisco has the highest cost of living of any city in the United States, so it is crucial to plan and budget accordingly.
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Frequently asked questions
To be classified as a resident for tuition purposes, a student must have an eligible immigration status, meet physical presence by the Residence Determination Date, and demonstrate intent to indefinitely remain in California for more than a year.
The following documents are acceptable forms of intent:
- Current California driver’s license or Department of Motor Vehicles documentation of a California driver’s license
- California Identification Card
- California Motor Vehicle registration
- Federal and State tax records consistent with CA domicile
Students must present satisfactory evidence of adequate funds to meet financial needs at the time of enrollment at the University.
