Admissions (International Student)

International students play a very important role at LaGuardia. Because of the college's small class sizes, LaGuardia attracts international students who want an individual, personal approach to their education. Because of our reputation as The World's Community College, students see their own communities actively reflected in our student body while they learn about and interact with students from other communities. The result is a global community that transcends all boundaries and represents the future direction of the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is an international student?

At LaGuardia, an international student is a student who holds a temporary student visa, while enrolled at the college. Immigrants (permanent residents), citizens, refugees, and resident aliens are not international students.

How do I enroll at LaGuardia as an international student?

Step 1

Apply to LaGuardia, You should file the appropriate CUNY Freshman or Transfer Application. This includes TOEFL results, officially translated documents, and a financial statement that attests to your ability to meet all financial obligations.

Step 2

Obtain a F-1 Student Visa, which will allow you to enroll in a U.S. college as an international student. B-1/B-2 Tourist Visas and other types of visas cannot be used to enroll in a U.S. college.

How do I apply to LaGuardia as an international student?

File the appropriate Freshman or Transfer application. If you're transferring from another college, you should file a transfer application, even if you'll have freshman status at LaGuardia (less than 30 credits).

Freshman and transfer applications can be filed online or mailed via the City University of New York's Application Processing Center (UAPC).

Enclose the application fee: which is valid for 2 semesters.

If you're filing online or via the mail, you'll need to send to UAPC (not LaGuardia) photocopies of your secondary school diploma/certificate and transcripts from your secondary school and any post-secondary school you attended. If a transcript is not written in English, you'll also need to enclose a professional translation of it. You must also arrange for your official sealed transcripts to be sent directly from those schools to UAPC.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) – All international students, regardless of how they file their application, must submit scores of TOEFL scores of 450 or above (computerized version scores of 133 or above), unless you are from a country where English is the official language. If your TOEFL scores do not meet this requirement, you can enroll in one of LaGuardia's English Language Center's intensive programs, before applying to the college.

How do I obtain an F-1 Student Visa?

Choose one:	I'm currently in the U.S. with a valid F-1 visa
	I'm currently not in the U.S.

After LaGuardia accepts my educational documents, what else do I need to submit?

1. Your personal bank statements that demonstrate your ability to finance or partially finance your education and stay in the United States.

2. A statement of financial support from each of your sponsors. If a sponsor lives in the U.S., you'll need a specific statement of the type of support that will be provided (examples: room & board, personal expenses, etc)

3. Immunization records that show your immunity from mumps, measles and rubella.

Note: You'll also need to take the ACT Placement Tests before you can choose your classes.

For additional information about the admissions process (link) for international students, please visit the City University of New York's website.

Why do I need to prove my ability to afford college and living expenses? How do I do this?

The U.S. government has strict regulations about international students' financial support. Students who can't show adequate financial support will not be permitted to study in the U.S.

This means you'll need to submit proof that you have enough financial support to cover your educational and living expenses without needing to work while you're here. Usually, a sponsor guarantees sufficient money to cover your educational and living costs. A sponsor can be a family member or friend. Students may even sponsor themselves.

For the 2004-2005 academic year, educational and living costs are estimated at $21,000/year. More than half of this amount is budgeted for room & board. If a New York City-based sponsor is providing free room and board to a student, the required financial support is dramatically less. This sponsor will have to complete and sign a notarized form attesting to the free room and board he/she is providing and provide documents to support this.

New York City is one of the most exciting, dynamic, vibrant cities in the world. It is also one of the most expensive. Inadequate finances can cause international students stress, discomfort and suffering. Please plan realistically about the actual costs of studying and living here.