Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply to the College of Staten Island as an international undergraduate student?

Please note that for admission purposes, you are considered an international student if you are currently in an F-1 or J-1 non-immigrant status, will need to change your current status to F-1 or J-1, or will need an F-1 or J-1 visa in order to study at CSI.  

The application process starts with filling out the CUNY application. Please visit our International Admissions page for instructions on how to apply.

Do you have a separate application for international undergraduate student?
No, you should fill out a freshman or transfer application (please click for video guides).

When do I have to fill out a transfer application?
You must fill out a transfer application if you have attended any college, university and/or proprietary school since graduating from high school or secondary school and should apply as such. When applying, you must certify that all the information on the application is accurate and true by listing all the institutions you have attended.

What happens if I do not list all the institutions previously attended?
If you do not list all the institutions you have previously attended, there is potential for your admission to be revoked and a letter of dismissal will be sent to you from the college. Please note that when applying, you certify that all the information on the application is accurate and true.

I already have a bachelor’s degree from my home country, should I apply as an undergraduate or graduate student?

You should first check the requirements of the graduate program you are interested in or contact Graduate Admissions at graduateadmissions@csi.cuny.edu to see whether you meet the minimum admissions requirements.

Do you offer application fee waiver?
Please contact the CUNY Welcome Center to request one.

How can I check the status of my application?

You can check the status by visiting the Admissions Center in your CUNYFirst account.

I am a permanent resident who was educated outside the U.S. where can I find instructions on how to apply?
Please scroll down to the bottom of the Applying to CSI page for the instructions.

I have never attended any colleges or universities, what documents do I have to submit?
First check a list of credentials that we consider to be an equivalent of a U.S. high school diploma. Then submit the supporting documents. As an example, applicants who graduated from a senior secondary school in the following countries should submit:

Albania: Copies of transcripts for all years attended and diploma.

Egypt: Copy of Shehaadat al-thaanawiya al-‘aama (General Secondary Education Certificate).

Jamaica: Copies of Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificates (CXC).

Nigeria: West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE)/ Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) issued by WAEC or NECO with scratch card or token information.

Pakistan: Copies of Secondary and Intermediate or Higher Secondary School Certificates.

Do you require that my documents be translated?
Any document that is not in English must be submitted with a certified translation.

Do I have to submit transcripts from all institutions attended?
Official transcripts from all regionally recognized institutions must be submitted. These transcripts may be mailed or emailed directly to us from the office responsible for issuing official academic records at the colleges/universities you have attended.

Do you accept evaluations from outside evaluation agencies?

We accept course-by-course evaluations from the following companies:

• Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute, Inc.
• Educational Credential Evaluators
• Foreign Credential Evaluations, Inc.
• Foreign Credentials Service of America
• International Education Evaluations (IEE)
• International Education Research Foundation
• Institute of Foreign Credential Evaluations (IFCS)
• Josef Silny & Associates, Inc., International Education Consultants
• Scholaro
• SpanTran: The Evaluation Company
• Transcript Research
• World Education Services, Inc.

Important:

• Evaluation reports must be complete (not preliminary) and prepared based on official or verified/authenticated documents.
• Evaluation reports must be sent to us directly from the evaluation service.
• Evaluation reports must include certified copies of all the documents used for the evaluation.

What ESL courses do you offer at CSI?

We have three options available:

Adult Literacy and Language Program

CLIP/CUNY Language Immersion Program

English Language Institute (SEVP-approved program to issue I-20s)

Do you require a proof of English Language Proficiency?

Yes, students that will require a non-immigrant visa or are currently in a non-immigrant status and were educated in a non-English speaking environment, are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, PTE or Duolingo scores.

Do you offer Duolingo fee waivers?

No, we do not currently offer Duolingo fee waivers.

How much does it cost for an international undergraduate student to attend CSI?
As of Fall 2024 the tuition rate for international undergraduate student is $620 per credit. Tuition and fees for 2 semesters (12 credits per semester) are $15,439.

Do you offer scholarships for international students?
Yes, the scholarship program at the College of Staten Island recognizes academic excellence and college / community service. In addition to scholarships offered directly by the College, the CSI Foundation, and departments and associations of the College, memorial scholarships have been endowed through the generosity of many individuals and organizations who value higher education. Scholarships support, in varying ways, the education of our community. For more information, please visit our scholarship page.

I am a prospective student athlete. How do I contact the Athletic Department?
To do that, please fill out the Prospective Athlete Form.

How do I obtain an I-20 from CSI?

Please review the Application and Instructions for I-20 and submit it together with the supporting documents to: instudy@csi.cuny.edu

Do you award advance standing credits for an IB diploma?

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Organization Diploma Program is a demanding course of study that leads to culminating exams for highly motivated high school students. Thirty (30) credits shall be awarded to students who have completed an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma with a score of 30 or higher. Students who have completed an IB diploma with a score of 29 or less and students who did not complete a diploma will be guaranteed credit for higher-level IB exams with scores of 5 or better (equivalent to B or better).  To have your IB exams/Diploma evaluated for CPL credit you must request an official copy of your IB transcript be sent to the College of Staten Island.