We’re Here to Help
USC Summer Programs welcomes international participants from all over the world. To ensure your trip goes smoothly, please review the following information and resources — and reach out to the team at summer@usc.edu if you have any questions!
Immigration Considerations
USC Summer Programs is a full-time program in a SEVP accepted institution. Therefore, international participants (or non-U.S. citizens/permanent residents) are required to enter the United States using an F-1 student visa (some exceptions apply).
Other visas, such as the B-1 “tourist” or B-2 “business” visa, and the visa waiver program associated with B-1 and B-2 visas, do not allow for academic study that earns credit or has courses that involve more than 18 hours per week of in-class time.
Documents You’ll Need
Upon being accepted and paying the deposit, international participants will need to submit the “International Student Form” within the application portal. This form will collect the documents a participant needs to submit based on their immigration status. International participants (non-U.S. citizen, non-U.S. permanent resident) will fall into one of three status categories, which are as follows.
International participants planning to enter the U.S. on an F-1 student visa and a USC I-20 must provide:
- A copy of their current passport
- Documentation of financial support
International participants with a valid visa status other than F-1 do not need a USC I-20, and instead must provide:
- A copy of their current passport
- A copy of their current visa. Please note: B1/B2/F2/ESTA are not valid visa statuses for full-time study.
International participants currently studying in the U.S under another institution’s I-20 do not need a USC I-20, and instead must provide:
- A copy of their current passport
- A permission letter signed by a school official from their U.S. high school
Preparing for Your Visit
- International participants and domestic participants currently living abroad participating in USC Summer Programs must:
- Reside on campus — the commuter option is not available
- Have a domestic U.S. mobile phone number
- Check out the residential experience information and packing list to learn about living arrangements on campus, what to bring and what is available for purchase after arrival.
- All international participants are automatically enrolled with Aetna Health Insurance, regardless of their current health insurance plan. International participants may not waive the Aetna insurance under any circumstance.
- Due to the uncertainty of customs, participants are responsible for making their own travel arrangements to the USC campus.
- USC Summer Programs cannot offer any early arrival or late departure accommodations, so please plan all flights and hotel reservations accordingly.
- There is no guarantee participants will be issued a visa. Do not make final travel plans or buy tickets until participants have a valid student visa, if needed.
Tuition and Fees
International participants should expect to pay $12,208 (plus government fees).
Resources for International Participants
If you have questions about your journey to USC’s campus, here are some helpful resources to check out.