INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

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USC Pre-College > Summer Programs > International Students

IMMIGRATION CONSIDERATIONS

  • USC Summer Programs is a full-time program in a SEVP accepted institution. Therefore, international students (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. The university will not refund tuition or fees for USC Summer Programs students who are unable to enter the country due to an improper visa.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR IMMIGRATION

Upon being accepted and paying the deposit, international students will receive instructions on how to log into CampDoc, a secure web-based record keeping system. This is where they will submit their mandatory immigration documents. The documents a student will need to submit varies based on their status. Generally, the status categories and the documents required of each category are as follows:

  1. International student (non-U.S. citizen, non-U.S. permanent resident) planning to enter the U.S. on an F-1 student visa and a USC I-20. These students must provide:
    • A copy of their current passport
    • Documentation of Financial Support
      • The U.S. government requires international students on a student visa to provide proof of the ability to pay for the tuition and fees. Documentation must show that the student has the funds to cover the cost of the program, estimated at $11,034. Example documentation includes a recent savings or checking account bank statement, or a signed bank letter verifying the ability to pay $11,034 for educational expenses.
  2. International student with a valid visa status other than F-1. These students DO NOT need a USC I-20. These students 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.
  3. International student (non-U.S. citizen, non-U.S. permanent resident) currently studying in the U.S under another institution’s I-20. These students DO NOT need a USC I-20. These students must provide:
    • A permission letter signed by a school official from their U.S. high school.

The following deadlines will be strictly enforced. Failure to submit the mandatory documents in CampDoc by the deadlines will result in the student’s program cancellation.

  • March 31, 2025 – Deadline to submit passport and financial documents, which are necessary to obtain a USC I-20.
  • March 31, 2025 – Deadline to submit a U.S. high school permission letter or proof of a valid visa that is currently in your possession. Tourist visas are not acceptable.
  • May 30, 2025 – Deadline to submit proof of a newly obtained F-1 visa, SEVIS receipt, and SIGNED I-20.

RESIDENTIAL EXPERIENCE & TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS

  • International students, and students 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
  • Please visit the Residential Experience section and Packing and Supply List page to learn about living arrangements on campus, what to bring, and what is available for purchase after arrival
  • All international students are automatically enrolled with Aetna Health Insurance, regardless of their current health policy plan. International students may not waive the Aetna insurance under any circumstance
  • Due to the uncertainty of customs, students are responsible for 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 students will be issued a visa — do not make final travel plans or buy tickets until students have a valid student visa, if needed

TUITION AND FEES FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

International students should expect to pay $11,949 (plus government fees). For a full breakdown of the tuition and fees that will be paid to the university and to the U.S. government, please visit the Admission, Tuition, and Fees page.

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