Admitted International Students
F-1 Admitted Student Checklist
Congratulations on your admission to Foothill College!
Below is a helpful checklist to guide you through the visa process and preparing for
your arrival in the U.S.
Review your Student Status
Review your student status checklist in the Admission Portal for any required post-admission items, including the I-20 Request Form.
Once your receive your I-20
After receiving your I-20, pay the SEVIS fee at:
Apply for the F-1 Visa
You can apply for a visa up to one year before the start date listed on your I-20.
We recommend applying as soon as possible after you decide to accept your admission.
Find visa application information here:
- Print your payment receipt (required for your visa appointment)
- Pay online using a credit card: visit www.FMJFee.com.
- Pay by Western Union: follow the instructions at https://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/wu-instructions.
- Students born in or citizens of Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria or Gambia must pay by Western Union Quick Pay, money order, or a certified check drawn from a U.S. bank. Visit https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/paying-your-i-901-sevis-fee to download the form to pay by money order or certified check.
Note for Canadian Citizens:
You do not need to follow the steps below to apply for a visa but can request F-1 status at the port of entry. Arrive in the U.S. no more than 30 days before the program start date listed on your I-20, and carry your I-20, proof of I-901 fee payment and proof of funding for your education in the U.S.
- Go to http://www.usembassy.gov.
- Select your country, then choose the U.S. Consulate closest to your home.
- Click on “Visas”, then read the information on “Student Visas” or “Non-immigrant Visas”.
You may need a fingerprint appointment or be required to provide additional documents before your visa interview. Visit http://www.ustraveldocs.com for information and videos in your language.
- Apply online at https://ceac.state.gov/genniv and complete the online application (required to schedule an interview).
- If you are not going to live with friends or relatives, use Foothill’s information as your US contact.
- Print and keep the DS-160 barcode confirmation page for your records.
- Follow the instructions specified by your US Consulate.
- Passport (must be valid for 6+ months beyond your intended stay in the U.S.)
- I-20 from Foothill College
- SEVIS I-901 Fee receipt
- DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa barcode confirmation page
- Visa Application Fee receipt
- Additional Documents: your US embassy or consulate may require additional documents, such as proof of financial support, TOEFL scores, or transcripts.
Your visa interview may be brief, or you may be asked many questions! Be prepared to address the following topics during your interview:
- Why you want to study in the United States
- Why you chose Foothill College
- Your financial support while in school
- Your plans after completing your studies
- Connections or ties to your home country (family, friends, etc.)
For more information and helpful videos, search for “10 Points to Remember When Applying for a Student Visa” from NAFSA.
- http://educationusa.state.gov - Click on “Your 5 Steps to US Study”
- http://usvisas.state.gov - Click on “Study and Exchange,” then “Student Visas.”
- https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/ - Official guidance on F-1 visas and maintaining status
Schedule your F-1 Visa Interview
Schedule your F-1 visa interview: Make an appointment with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate:
Register for Classes - Academic Resources
Placement for math, English, ESLL, or chemistry uses multiple measures to assess which course placement is appropriate for you - using your U.S. high school transcript and/or a guided self-placement for students who do not have a U.S. transcript available.
To learn about Counseling 5, Introduction to College, please check out the video below.
Counseling 5 is a 1-unit class that is transferable to the UC and CSU systems. To enroll in the class, please log in to your MyPortal account and search/add the class as you would regularly register.
For more information, visit Prerequisite Clearance.
If you have taken academic-level classes at another US college or university, you may be able to transfer some of those credits to Foothill College. Here are answers to common questions you may have.
Q. Who evaluates my transcript?
Your transfer credits will be reviewed during an individual appointment with an international academic counselor after you arrive on the Foothill campus and present your transcripts.
Q. What documents do I need?
Please bring:
- An official transcript from your previous college or university
- A copy of your college or university catalog with full course descriptions for the classes you completed (sometimes required to help the evaluation easier)
Q. When should I meet with a counselor?
We strongly recommend that all transfer students attend the International Student Orientation events. During these events you will:
- Meet privately with an international academic counselor
- Discuss your academic plans
- Obtain a preliminary transcript evaluation
- Possibly clear some course prerequisites. A full transcript evaluation usually requires a separate, longer appointment.
Q. What happens when I transfer to a four-year college/university after Foothill?
If you plan to transfer to a four-year college or university after studying at Foothill, keep in mind:
- Your future institution will do its own transcript evaluation
- They may not award the same credit that Foothill accepts
To prepare for transfer, work closely with your international academic counselor when developing your transfer plan.
View important academic dates and deadlines below for current and future quarters, including when to apply for admission and class schedule availability.
Housing
Apply for student housing, contact ISP Homestays, or begin searching for an apartment.
The Foothill-De Anza College District now offers student housing!
For all actively enrolled Foothill College students, select any of the options below for more information.
A shared, apartment-style community near the Foothill College campus in Cupertino. These below-market-rate apartments are owned by our District and managed by trusted partners.
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Visit the housing website to learn more and apply. Rental rates are based on a 12-month lease, not a 10-month academic year.
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Contact housing@fhda.edu directly for issues and questions.
- Visit FDA Student Housing
Live with an American family. You can prearrange homestay options before you arrive in the U.S.
Homestays are a housing option available to international students at Foothill College.
If you have never lived abroad or in the United States, or you are under 18 years old, we strongly recommend that you consider living in homestay housing for at least the first 3 months.
Homestay can be prearranged before your arrival in the United States.
What is a Homestay?
Homestay housing offers a safe living environment with a local American host family.
A homestay provides:
- A furnished private room
- Option of two home cooked meals per day or access to a kitchen
- An opportunity to experience American culture and to improve English skills
International Student Placements (ISP)
Foothill College has worked closely with International Student Placements (ISP), a local homestay company, for more than 25 years. ISP completes detailed background checks on each host family to make sure that the housing is safe and comfortable. ISP is known for its professionalism, caring and committed staff.
Application Procedure
For more information about the application procedure for a homestay or shared housing, contact ISP directly at www.isphomestays.com.
International Student Placements
199 First Street, Suite 305
Los Altos, CA 94022
E-mail: info@isphomestays.com
Phone: 1.650.947.8879
International students are not limited to the homestay option, and you are welcome to explore the other types of housing.
However, we strongly recommend that you consider living in a homestay for at least the first 3 months if you have never lived abroad or in the U.S.
Live on your own or share with roommates.
One of most popular housing options at Foothill College is local apartments or single-family homes. Many students also choose to live with roommates in apartments or houses to reduce housing costs.
Generally, housing costs in the Bay Area are more expensive than other parts of the country, but are similar in cost to many large cities in the United States and around the world.
How to Find an Apartment
Here are some suggestions for finding an apartment:
- Join our closed “Foothill International Students” facebook page where you can communicate with current or other new students who are looking for roommates
- Orientation is also a good time to meet other students who are looking to share housing
- Consult housing websites, local newspapers and magazines. Please note that if you find a rental on a website we recommend that you visit the complex in person before signing a lease and do not pay a deposit by money order or wire transfer.
Things to Consider When Looking for an Apartment
- Is the apartment close to the bus stop? You can find out if an apartment is close to a bus stop online by using this trip planner. Type in the address of the apartment, Foothill's address (12345 El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022), and the time you want to arrive at Foothill.
- Is the apartment near the college? Apartments that are close to Foothill College are often more expensive than apartments further away. The following cities are listed from the closest to Foothill to the farthest away: Los Altos, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Palo Alto, Cupertino, and San Jose.
Do I Need a Car?
Most international students do not have a car, especially since all Foothill students are provided a bus pass.
The VTA SmartPass provides all Foothill students unlimited rides on Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) buses and light rail within Santa Clara county.
Foothill is currently served by two bus routes (#40 and #52).
Learn how to get your SmartPass.
If you plan to rely on bus transportation, we do not recommend looking for an apartment in San Jose since it is too far to travel by bus to Foothill College.
Apartments in San Jose
Students who have or plan to own a car can look for apartments in the San Jose area.
The area surrounding Foothill College, including the cities of Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, and San Jose, is consistently ranked as among the safest in the United States.
Silicon Valley, with its high standard of living, safe neighborhoods, fun activities, and excellent transportation network, offers an ideal location for students to live and study.
Getting Here
Purchase a plane ticket to San Francisco (SFO) or San Jose (SJC) airport. We recommend arriving a few days before the mandatory orientation to rest and recover from jet lag.
Airport pickup can be arranged through ISP Homestays. You may also take a taxi, shuttle, or rideshare (Uber or Lyft) from the airport.
Bay Area Airports
The San Francisco Bay Area is served by three airports that handle both international and domestic flights:
San Francisco
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is located approximately 30 miles from the Foothill College area, and most flights to the Bay Area arrive at this airport. It is one of the busiest airports in the world.
San Jose
San Jose International Airport (SJC) is a much smaller airport located about 15 miles from the Foothill area.
Oakland
Oakland International Airport (OAK) is located across the San Francisco Bay from Foothill College, about 47 miles away. It, too, is less congested than SFO.
Getting to the Foothill College Area from the Airport
Safety Advisory
Ignore offers of ground transportation from solicitors inside the terminal building. While these solicitors may look and sound official, they are not authorized to solicit passengers.
Single Rider Options
Private Airport Pick-up by ISP Homestays - $120
Uber or LYFT- approximately $60
Taxi- approximately $75
Public Ground Transportation
Caltrain is a comfortable and efficient commuter rail line that runs between San Francisco and San Jose. The closest stop to Foothill is the Mountain View station, from which one can take the VTA Bus Route 52 bus to the campus (see below).
VTA (Valley Transit Authority)- Bus #40 and #52
Resources for Local Area Transportation
Bus route and light rail schedules by city
Bay Area Public Transportation Trip Planner
VTA Trip Planner
Google Maps
Orientation
The international student orientation events include both virtual and in-person events. Be sure to scroll down to review all relevant information for starting your studies.
Admitted students: Check your email for an invitation to the online orientation course and instructions for registering for the events below.
Summer Orientation Events
Be sure to scroll down to review all relevant information for starting your studies in summer.
Admitted students: You will receive an invitation to the online orientation course and instructions for registering for the events below by email starting in late April/early May.
Event |
Date |
Time |
|---|---|---|
|
Virtual Academic Advising
Required for all new F-1 students
|
Wednesday, May 27 |
By Appointment
(link to book will be shared with admitted students directly)
|
|
Virtual Pre-Departure Info Session
Required for new F-1 students studying inside the U.S.
|
Tuesday, May 19 |
7-8AM Pacific Time
(link to register will be shared with admitted students directly)
|
| F-1 Student Orientation Part 1: Virtual Session Required for new F-1 students studying inside the U.S. |
Wednesday, June 24 |
10AM - 12PM Pacific Time
(link to register will be shared with admitted students directly)
|
|
F-1 Student Orientation Part 2: In-Person Check In |
Monday, June 29 |
11:30AM - 1:30PM
at International Student Programs Office (Room 1933)
|
Note: All events are in Pacific Time (California time). Event dates and times subject to change. Use this Time Zone Converter to check what time it is in your part of the world.
Differences in Summer Session
Summer session is slightly different from our regular fall, winter, and spring quarters. Read below to understand these differences.
Summer Session is Accelerated
Most summer classes are only 6 weeks long (regular quarter length classes in fall, winter, and spring are 12 weeks). However, summer classes offer the same number of credits, so the same amount of material is condensed into a shorter amount of time.
What does this mean?
For F-1 students: The minimum required number of units in summer is 6 units (for all other terms the minimum requirement is 12 units).
For all students: We don't recommend taking more than 2 classes to help ensure academic success.
The annual estimated cost of attendance doesn't include summer session
For F-1 students, the annual estimated cost when beginning studies in fall, winter, or spring only covers 3 terms (9-10 months of study) since summer is typically an optional term. See Tuition & Fees.
If you're starting your studies in summer, then summer is not optional, and you should expect to pay the additional amounts below (not including books, supplies, or spending money).
EXPENSE DESCRIPTION |
COST |
|---|---|
|
Tuition and Enrollment Fees* Students may take additional units at $284.00/unit. |
$1,704.00 |
|
Health Insurance (mandatory) Two-month Coverage: June 15 to August 14 |
$288.00 |
| Room and Board Based on homestay for 2 months; includes two meals per day. |
$3,000.00 |
| TOTAL ESTIMATED ADDITIONALCOST: | $4,992.00 |
*Tuition rate subject to change without notice.
Event |
Date |
Time |
|---|---|---|
|
Virtual Academic Advising Required for all new F-1 students |
Appointments February-March |
By Appointment (link to book will be shared with admitted students directly) |
|
Virtual Pre-Departure Info Session Required for all new F-1 students
|
Tuesday, March 10 |
7-8 AM Pacific Time (The link to register will be shared with admitted students directly)
|
|
F-1 Student Orientation Required for new F-1 students studying inside the U.S.
|
Wednesday, April 1 |
10 AM-3 PM Pacific Time (link to register will be shared with admitted students directly)
|
Note: All events are in Pacific Time (California time). Event dates and times are subject to change. Use this Time Zone Converter to check what time it is in your part of the world.
Event Descriptions
Virtual Academic Advising (required for all new F-1 students)
These are 15-minute appointments with our international academic counselors. Students will be able to meet 1:1 with an academic counselor for questions about class registration and guidance on class selection.
Virtual Pre-Departure Info Session (required for all new F-1 students)
Join International Student Programs staff to clarify your doubts before your first quarter begins. We will review FAQs from new international students, including F-1 topics like housing and health insurance and general topics like academic dates and deadlines and campus policies and procedures. Bring your questions, and see you there!
F-1 Student Orientation (required for new F-1 students studying INSIDE the U.S.)
This is a mandatory event for all new F-1 students who have entered the U.S. and all new transfer students inside the U.S. Presentations will provide vital information on activating and maintaining your F-1 status, using your student health insurance, planning for your educational goal, and more.
Arrival Documents
A tutorial on how to submit the following mandatory F-1 Arrival Documents via the admission portal will be included during the welcome presentations:
- A copy of your I-94 record (download from https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/)
- International Student Agreement Form
- Personal Data Information Form
The deadline to upload these documents in the admission portal is the second Friday of the quarter, and failure to submit may result in cancellation of your I-20.
Social Media
Join us on Facebook and Discord, and follow us on Instagram to meet fellow students and stay updated on campus announcements, activities, on-campus jobs, and more!
