Admission / How to Apply

To apply by post or request more information, please e-mail the IEP/ESL Program.

You may also call the ESL Program at (415) 422-6862 for additional information.   

If you need an I-20 form, please submit your application documents at least six weeks prior to the beginning of the program. If you do not need an I-20 form, it is best if your application documents are received at least two weeks prior to the beginning of the program. In general, however, applications are accepted at any time if space is available. Enclose the items listed below and return them to the address provided. Please print in BLOCK LETTERS or use a typewriter.

In order to apply as a full-time student please fulfill items A, B, C and D

A. Application Fee: A non-refundable fee of $100 is required to cover the application fee and courier service (FedEx) cost to mail the I-20 / acceptance packet. Please DO NOT send cash. Application payment methods include International Bank Draft, personal check, credit card, bank check or Money Order in U.S. dollars made payable to: University of San Francisco. Please include your payment with your application.

B. Certificate of Finances: Please complete the enclosed Certificate of Finances form and attach an official bank statement or government affidavit of support. 

Please follow the steps below to complete the Certificate of Finances:

1. Complete and sign the Certificate of Finances form and have the form signed by your guarantor (this may be a parent, sponsor or yourself),

2. Attach an official letter/statement from the guarantor's bank, which demonstrates his/her/your ability to cover the complete costs for at least one full semester. This should include the cost of tuition, books, health insurance, housing and food (even if you will live with relatives), spending money, etc. As of September 2008 the estimated amount that needs to be guaranteed for one semester is $16,400.00. For the summer program (only), the estimated amount is $6,560.00. The expenses should not run this high but it better to overestimate than underestimate,

3. If you are sponsored by your government or an organization, please attach a letter of financial support, and

4. We suggest you make two copies of the Certificate of Finances form:

(a) to take with you when you request your visa from the U.S. consular officials, to prove that you have sufficient funds to stay at USF, and

(b) to bring with you when you arrive in the U.S. for immigration purpose.

C. Copy of passport: Please enclose a copy of your Passport identity page.

D. Photographs: Please enclose two passport size photographs of yourself taken within the last six months.

E. No TOEFL score is required for admission to the IEP. However, if you have taken the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), please submit a photocopy of your Official Score Record.

F. Transcripts of your secondary school and university studies are optional. If you plan to apply for admission to a U.S. college or university after your English language studies, you will need your transcripts (translated into English) and two letters of recommendation in English for undergraduate programs or as many as four letters of recommendation for graduate programs.

In summary: To obtain an I-20 from USF you will need to submit (1) a completed application, (2) $100 application / courier service fee (3) a completed Certification of Finance form, (4) a letter from the guarantor's bank or financial institution, and (5) copy of your passport identity page.

Upon completion of your application, an I-20 will be processed and mailed via courier service to you along with the Letter of Acceptance to the ESL program. All I-20s are mailed via FedEx.

After you receive the I-20 you should send in your Tuition Deposit of $250.00 (non-refundable). The deposit will be applied toward your tuition cost when you register. The University of San Francisco accepts the following payment methods:

(1) INTERNATIONAL POSTAL MONEY ORDERS drawn in U.S. dollars,
(2) ONLINE PAYMENT through the USF website (Master Card, Discover & American Express),
(3) TRAVELER'S CHECKS, and
(4) BANK WIRE TRANSFER. (Please ask us for instructions before sending a wire transfer).

Please address all payments to: University of San Francisco. The student's name and Student ID number must be included with all payments.

Click here for a pdf version of these instructions.

Email us for information
or call (415) 422-6862
Click here for ESL contact page