How to Apply

Create an account in our international admission portal and complete the online application: https://applyinternational.fhda.edu/apply/

You will be prompted to select your desired start term and guided to upload/submit the following items through the admission portal (no physical documents are required).

Applicants are required to provide a scanned image of a current, valid passport. It must clearly display the biographical data page, including photograph, full legal name, date of birth, passport number, issue and expiration dates, and issuing authority.

English Proficiency Requirements

In order to successfully participate and complete college level classes, you must be able to listen, read, speak and write in the English language. The English proficiency test score is a requirement for admission to the College.

Proof of English Proficiency

The most common examinations accepted as proof of English proficiency from international students are TOEFL and IELTS, but below is a complete list of exams accepted by the Office of International Student Programs.

Note: Results more than two years old will not be accepted.

Accepted Tests	Minimum Requirements for Full Admission
TOEFL (exams taken before January 21, 2026) Foothill's TOEFL code: 4315	61 iBT or 46 PBT
TOEFL Band Score (exams taken on/after January 21, 2026)	3.5
TOEFL Essentials	6.5
IELTS / IELTS Indicator	5.5
Duolingo	95
SAT	500 EBRW
iTEP	Level 4
Pearson PTE Academic	45
Cambridge English	175 (Advance Exam)
GTEC CBT	1100
STEP Eiken	2A
LanguageCert Academic	60

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Other English Proficiency Waivers

Must be verified by a transcript or other documentation. We do not guarantee waivers and must review the application in order to make a decision.

Waiver Types	Required Score/Documentation
High/secondary school completion in countries where English is the primary language of instruction (view list of eligible countries)	Official transcript
Completion of 3+ years at an international high/secondary school where English is the primary language of instruction	Official transcript and a letter on school's letterhead, stating that English was the primary language of instruction
IB (International Baccalaureate) English A HL or SL	"4" or higher
Completed English A and B courses in Scandinavian countries	Sweden: "C" or higher Norway: "4" or higher Others: "VG" or "MVG"
Completed college-level English/Composition at a U.S. college or university.	Official transcript with grade "C" or higher

Upload an original/official bank letter or statement from you or your financial sponsor* that meets our requirement of annual estimated cost and is dated within the last 6 months. The document must be in English. In addition, the financial support cannot come from stocks, bonds, or retirement accounts. The funds do not have to be shown in USD. Foreign currency is accepted.

Samples of Acceptable Bank Letters

*You will be asked to provide financial sponsor details (name and relation to you) on the application form. No further forms or documentation are required from your sponsor.

Foreign Transcripts 

Foothill College does not evaluate foreign transcripts or credentials.

If you have taken college or university classes in another country and are interested in receiving credit for them at Foothill, you will need to have your classes evaluated by an outside evaluator, such as World Education Services (WES). Please visit approved foreign credential evaluators. Foothill College does not endorse any of these companies but provides their names only as a resource for you.

Once you arrive, please schedule an appointment with an International Academic Counselor to submit your original and evaluated transcript. Actual determination of Foothill credit for classes taken overseas will occur during an individual appointment with an academic counselor after you arrive on the Foothill campus and present your transcripts together with an evaluated copy. Academic counselors cannot give you any transfer credit decisions before you are accepted and arrive at the Foothill campus.

Important! If you are planning to transfer to a 4-year college or university after completing your studies at Foothill, you must be aware that your next institution will do its own evaluation of your foreign transcript and may or may not award the same credit as Foothill for the courses you took overseas.

If you are under 18 years old, you must submit proof of high school completion or equivalent. All documents must be in English or officially translated into English. For students who have attended any school in the U.S., please submit a transcript from all schools you have attended. Unofficial transcripts are accepted, but screenshots, education plans, or schedule summaries are not accepted in place of transcripts.

We require a $75 USD application fee to review your application and determine your eligibility. You will be directed to compelete an online payment of the application fee upon submission of the application. 

This fee is non-refundable.

If you are under 18 years old, we require authorization from your parents or legal guardian that you can attend Foothill College. This form will also be available to you for completion in the admission portal after you are admitted.

FHDA Minor Authorization Form

If you have dependents who will accompany you as an F-1 visa holder, you will be asked to complete this form in the admission portal. Note that your financial statement will need to show additional funds for each dependent.