International Students

Save the dates and review the important dates. Keep in mind that these dates are subject to change.

How to set up your account

After you are admitted to CSUMB, you will be assigned an OtterID.

1. Check the email address that you applied with for your application
2. Look for a message from noreply@okta.com with the subject "Set up your CSUMB account"
3. Follow the instructions in the email to set up your account
4. After setting up your account, log into csumb.edu/dashboard to try it out

Please note:

• Check your spam folder if you do not see the email in your inbox
• Follow the guidelines when setting up your password and do not use any part of your first or last name

In order to receive your OtterID card when you arrive, you will need to upload your own photo. The OtterID card is your student identification card that will allow you to receive a wide range of access including your housing building, meal plan, gym and the library.

How to submit your OtterID photo:

1. Look for an email from ottercard@csumb.edu 
2. It will give you access to a photo upload link
3. Follow the directions and make sure your photo is acceptable

Since you are not a U.S. citizen, you will need to obtain an F-1 student visa in order to study at CSUMB. Acquiring a student visa can be a lengthy and time-consuming process. The wait times vary by embassy so we recommend that you start this process as early as possible. The U.S. Department of State maintains a list of current wait times. You can view the current Visa Appointment and Processing wait times. 

How to apply for your Student Visa

   1. Pay the SEVIS fee

After you receive your I-20, pay the SEVIS fee (I-901) and bring a copy of the receipt to the U.S. embassy or consulate for your visa appointment. The SEVIS fee must be paid online. 

     2. Complete your DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application

You will receive a Form I-20 from CSUMB, then you will apply for an F-1 visa and will use the campus code listed on your I-20. Click here for the application.

     3. Schedule an Interview with your local U.S. Consulate

Locate your U.S. Consulate, take your I-20 and all other required documents to your visa interview.

*Canadian citizens do not need to obtain a visa to enter the United States

Entering the United States

Once your student visa is approved, you can enter the United States up to 30 days prior to the start of classes. At the port of entry, you must present the following:

• Your passport
• F-1 visa
• Valid Form I-20
• Financial documents you presented during your visa interview
• Official CSUMB Admission Letter

A United States Customs and Border Patrol Protection (CBP) official will review your documents. You will be given instructions about how to access your record of admissions (I-94) online. The CBP official will stamp your passport with an admission stamp. This stamp is annotated with the date, class of admission, and your duration of status. The CBP official will then return your documents to you and you are free to enter the U.S. 

Transfer students currently attending a U.S. school or college do not need to apply for a new visa if they're not planning to leave the U.S. The SEVIS record will need to be transferred to CSUMB. 

For other conditions and restrictions regarding maintaining your immigration status as a student such as employment and travel, view our immigration page for more information. 

On-Campus Student Housing

You must apply for campus housing to reserve your space. Please note that we will try to place you according to your housing preference, but we cannot guarantee that space will be available in all housing options.

Unless you are a junior, senior, or graduate student, you must live on campus. You will need to notify the ISSS team if you choose to live off-campus; you will not be provided housing assistance. 

Please note: East Campus priority is given to students with families (proof of dependents required) or students with 60 or more transferable units. Other students may be considered depending on availability. East Campus is sparsely furnished compared to Main Campus housing and you will need to purchase more household necessities. 

Tip: consider all aspects of housing - cost, distance to classes, amount of roommates, and if you want a meal plan. 

View housing options and rates

Dining Options

If you live on campus, you will automatically be assigned a meal plan, but you may select your preferred plan.

• Meal plans required for: Cypress, Asilomar, Willet, Manzanita, Avocet, Tortuga, Yarrow, Sanderling, Pinnacles, and Vineyard suites
• Meal plans not required for: Strawberry apartments, Promontory, and East Campus apartments

Compare meal plan options

How to apply for Housing

1. Apply for housing through csumb.edu/dashboard and click MyHousing, which will take you to the housing dashboard
2. Select "Application" from the menu bar
3. You can request roommates in the MyHousing application if you would like to
4. Pay the housing application and reservation fee. There is a non-refundable $50 housing application fee and a $150 reservation fee. The housing reservation fee will be applied to your housing cost. 
5. If you submitted your application on time, your housing assignment will be finalized approximately one month prior to the start of the semester. You will be notified of your assignment via email from Student Housing & Residential Life. 

Tip: If you need help applying for housing, watch their video of the housing application steps. 

How to Select Courses

Students will enroll through their student account on the csumb.edu/dashboard once their enrollment appointment has begun. You can find your enrollment appointment time by logging into your OASIS Student Center in early June (Fall admits) or early December (Spring admits). Learn more about Enrollment Appointments

1. Pay your $100 enrollment confirmation fee
2. Schedule an appointment with your advisor. Identify your advisor since each major has a designated advisor
3. Self-register for classes during enrollment appointment
4. Review how to search for classes under "How to use the Course Schedule" section
5. Follow steps on how to register
6. Check your CSUMB email for important updates

How to use the Course Schedule

1. Browse and search classes
2. Select appropriate term, subject, and under course career select "undergraduate" or "graduate" and search
3. Click the course you are interested in taking
4. Read the course description, enrollment requirements for prerequisites, and class availability to view available seats
5. Note the course class number, course, section to enroll

Catalog vs. Current Schedule

You will need to check the current course schedule for your semester to make sure the classes you intend to take are available. Do not use the course catalog to choose your courses. 

Class level:

• Courses numbered 100-299 are considered “lower division” (for 1st and 2nd year university students) and are usually introductory in nature and have fewer prerequisites.
• Courses numbered 300-499 are considered “upper division” (for 3rd and 4th year university students) and generally have more prerequisites.
• Courses numbered 500-699 are considered graduate level courses and are restricted from exchange students.

Check the course description to see if your courses have prerequisites. Be sure that you have met equivalent prerequisites with prior coursework before requesting these courses.

Mode of Instruction

• Face-to-face: requires in-person participation
• Hybrid in-person: meets in-person and online
• Fully online courses:
  • Online synchronous: requires online participation at a specific time
  • Online asynchronous: does not require a specific time of participation
  • Hybrid online: combination of online synchronous and online asynchronous 

English Requirements

All undergraduate students must meet the A2 Written Communication. Students can meet the A2 requirement in an accelerated one semester course or in a two-semester sequenced course. To help you determine which communication course is best for you, complete the online experience “Write to register” on Canvas. For more information visit First-Year Success in Writing-Directed Self-Placement. 

Mathematic Requirements

All undergraduate students must also meet the B4 Mathematics General Education requirements. To help you determine which first-year mathematics/statistics course is best for you, connect with your Academic Advisor. 

How to see your Itemized Charges Due

1. Go to csumb.edu/dashboard and select "OASIS" to view your Student Center
2. Look for the Finance Section of your Student Center
3. In the "Other Financial" drop-down menu, select "Charges Due" and continue
4. It will list the breakdown of the charges you owe

Please note: the amount owed will need to be entered into Flywire upon payment, if you are paying with non-U.S. dollars.

How to Make Payments

View the step-by-step guide on how to make payments.

Financial Planning Advice

Financial planning is an integral part of a successful study abroad experience. You’ll want to have enough U.S. currency to cover initial expenses like meals, taxi/bus fare, etc. but not so much that you feel uncomfortable. We recommend having some U.S. dollars, but please be sure to carry it safely.

If you are unable to obtain U.S. currency prior to arrival, you may try to exchange your own country’s currency at the airport or use an ATM (bank withdrawal machine). Be aware that both of these methods are less reliable than bringing U.S. cash with you.

Prior to leaving, inform your bank that you are traveling for an extensive period and ensure that:

• Your banking activities will not be mistaken as fraudulent
• You will be able to access your funds and use your bank card in the U.S.
• Your daily withdrawal limits are high enough to accommodate your needs
• There are alternate methods of accessing funds available to you (traveler’s checks, etc.)

Many students find it easiest and most convenient to open a bank account in the U.S.

Federal and state laws require that international students maintain adequate health insurance while attending CSUMB. A single day of hospitalization can cost thousands of dollars. A good insurance policy gives you access to medical facilities and provides protection against the enormous costs of health care.

If you are in need of special accommodations, please contact CSUMB's Student Disability and Accessibility Center ASAP and before arrival to campus. You can email them at SDAC@csumb.edu. 

All students in F‐1 visa status will be automatically enrolled for CSUMB Health Insurance for the duration of your program. This will be charged to your student account each term. Learn more information about your health insurance.

Book your Travel Arrangements

When looking at flights, be sure to compare all of your options in terms of price, layover length, backup transportation to campus, and whether you want to arrive early to explore the sights prior to move-in. If your flight arrives after 3 p.m., we recommend you to arrive a day earlier and stay at a hotel. This will prevent you from missing the official check-in and move-in process as well as any orientation activities.

What to Pack

Documents: 

• Form I-20
• Passport (needs to be valid for at least six months beyond your date of admission)
• Valid F-1 visa in your passport
• Copy of SEVIS fee receipt
• Copy of Admission letter and financial documents 
• Address and phone number of the International Office
  • Gavilan Hall 201, Rm 207, Seaside CA 93955 USA; +1 (831) 582-4778
• Health insurance card
• Copy of class schedule

Linens/Towels

If you want to save some money, you may consider packing towels, twin XL sheets, a pillow, and a duvet cover from home. Please note, linen sizes are different in the U.S. You will also have an opportunity to buy linens during orientation.

Medication

Don’t forget your medication and bring enough for your first two months. This will allow you time to find a local doctor or pharmacy.

Planning to Ship a Package ahead of Time?

If you would like to ship some items ahead of time, packages should not arrive two weeks in advance of the semester. Depending on your housing use the housing website for the correct address. Also email international@csumb.edu your tracking information so we can assist you in receiving your items upon your arrival. 

Airport Arrival

These are the recommended airports within a reasonable distance to campus:

• Monterey Regional Airport (MRY): the closest airport to CSUMB; 20 minute taxi ride to campus
• San Jose International Airport (SJC): about an hour away from campus
• San Francisco International Airport (SFO): about two hours away from campus

*We do not recommend flying into Oakland International Airport (OAK) due to the difficulties of transportation to Monterey. Keep in mind that while flights to OAK may be less expensive, transportation costs to get to campus may negate these savings.

Transportation to CSUMB

Groome (formally known as Monterey Airbus)

Groome transportation provides transportation to campus from SFO and SJC. When booking, ensure that you have at least 1-2 hours to deplane, go through U.S. Customs & Border Control, collect your baggage, and walk to the airbus pickup location with time to spare. 7:00 p.m. is the latest arrival time to campus that will accommodate housing check-in.

Please note: if you have more than one piece of luggage and one carry-on, you will be charged for a second seat.

Book your reservation - we recommend you book your spot immediately after booking your flights. 

Taxi

If you would like to take a car from the Monterey Airport, there are many options available. The ride to campus takes about 20 minutes.

• Yellow Cab +1 (831) 646-1234
• Central Coast Cab Co. +1 (831) 626-3333
• Monterey Yellow Cab +1 (831) 333-1234

Ride Sharing Services

You can use Uber and Lyft apps on your phone to arrange transportation from any of the airports to get to campus. This is likely only a cost effective option if you are traveling with two or more individuals. Be aware that pricing can fluctuate greatly

Arriving to Campus

When arriving to campus, please keep in mind these date and times. More information will be provided prior to move-in.

• Arrive to Campus on January 19 from 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
• Housing move-in from 1 - 7 p.m.

If you plan to arrive to CSUMB outside of the arrival to campus time, you will not be able to check in to your on-campus housing and must arrange accommodations at your own cost.

If you experience delays on your day of travel, please call us to let us know. You will be responsible for arranging your own accommodations and transportation:

• 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.: +1 (831) 582-4778
• After 5 p.m.: +1 (831) 760-5101

Your CSUMB Email

Email is the primary and official means of communication from CSUMB to students. Students are required to check CSUMB email on a regular basis to avoid missing important information. You can access your email by logging into csumb.edu/dashboard with your Otter ID and password.

Internet Access

Internet and cable service are included in your tuition.

• If you live on main campus, North Quad, or The Promontory, you can access wifi and cable television in your dorm. Wifi can be accessed by logging in with your Otter ID and password.
• If you live off-campus or in East Campus apartments, you will need to purchase a modem and router to access the internet. These can be bought at Best Buy (near campus) or through an online vendor like Amazon. For a complete list of recommended/not recommended modems, visit IT support. 

Activities and Organizations

CSUMB proudly recognizes 80+ student clubs and organizations representing interests from anime to men’s volleyball. There are clubs devoted to culture, politics, art, sports, leadership, academics, religion, and more. There’s even a thriving International Club! Plus, new clubs form every year, so if you don’t see a group you want to join, you can always start your own.

Events

A wide range of events happen on campus every day - athletic events, guest lectures, concerts, cultural celebrations, even group camping trips. MyRaft is CSUMB’s student engagement platform which you will use to register for events, join CSUMB’s many student organizations, connect with departmental resources and services, and interact socially with other students on the feed and through chat. The International Programs office will also send you regular updates through MyRaft. Access MyRaft through your dashboard.

Excursions and Cultural Events

CSUMB International Programs also organizes excursions and cultural events specifically designed for International and NSE students to explore California and understand U.S. culture.

Fitness and Recreation

The Otter Sports Center

The Otter Sports Center hosts various events, including open fitness training and recreation, intramural sports, health & wellness classes, intercollegiate athletics competitions, and more.

Outdoor Recreation

With Outdoor Recreation, you are able to sign up for kayaking, hiking, skiing/snow boarding, rock climbing, stand up paddling, backpacking, challenge courses, and camping trips for a very low cost. This is an excellent opportunity to explore California and make lots of friends quickly!

Transportation

• All CSUMB students can use the Wave shuttle free of charge
• You can use Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) to go around the town
• Students can rent bikes through the Otter Cycle Center for quick getaways or for the whole semester
• Rent a car with ZipCar

Safety

CSUMB cares about the safety of our entire university community. Our Student Affairs staff and campus police work closely with the community to ensure a safe and secure campus.