Enrollment Questions
1. Do I need a student visa (F-1) to attend your programs?
If your main intent in coming to the U.S. is to study, you should apply for a student visa. Or, if you are coming to the U.S. mainly for tourism, and you also want to take English language classes for your own pleasure or as recreation, then a tourist visa (B-2) or Visa Waiver (WT) is appropriate. If you are not sure whether study or tourism is your main intent, explain your plans to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your country and they will advise you on the appropriate visa to apply for. You should not schedule a visa interview until you have received our acceptance letter and other acceptance materials.
2. How much money do I need to study in the U.S.?
You can calculate your total estimated expenses by using the Tuition, Fees, and Financial Verification page of UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies International Programs application. We must receive proof of these total available funds in order to issue the Form I-20 for full-time study programs.
If you plan to bring your spouse and/or children, your financial verification must include an additional $200 per week for your first dependent and $100 per week for each additional dependent.
3. How long will it take to receive my acceptance information?
We will email your acceptance information within 2-3 weeks after we receive a complete application with all required documents and fees (processing times are subject to change).
4. How do I apply for housing?
Refer to our Housing webpage for information on available accommodation options. When you are ready to apply, contact the individual accommodation company for their applications and additional information. If you need assistance with housing options, email us at iphousing@ucsd.edu. Students in Summer Session programs should refer to the UC San Diego Summer Housing Website.
5. How and when do I send payment?
Total fees and tuition must be received in our office 30 days prior to the published program start-date. We use Transact, a secure payment platform, to facilitate international students, their families, and sponsors in paying tuition and fees. There are four payment methods available through Transact:
- Credit or Debit Card
- Bank Transfer
- Flywire
- Convera