NEW STUDENT CHECKLIST

Congratulations on your admission to Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC). We look forward to welcoming you to the International Student Program (ISP), where we assist F-1 students from many different countries. You will love the beautiful campus, diverse student population, and excellent academic standards at SRJC. We know that you will have a great experience here, and we look forward to meeting you soon! Please complete the following items below BEFORE classes begin. If you have any questions, please contact us.

1) Accept your Admissions Offer

To accept your offer of admission, please submit the Student Enrollment Reservation (SER). This step will clear the admissions hold on your account so that you can register for classes. The deadline to submit your SER is two weeks before classes begin. 

Already Submitted? If you have already submitted the SER, you can login to your Student Portal and look under "SRJC Electronic Forms" to see if it has been approved.

Submit Now

2) Make Housing Arrangements

Students admitted to SRJC for Fall can apply in late April for on-campus housing. Applications for Spring will only be considered on a space-available basis. Call (707) 535-3778 or email info@srjchousing.com if you have any questions. You must be 18 or older to live on-campus.

On-Campus Housing

If you do not wish to live on-campus, you are responsible for finding off-campus housing. Please review our Housing Guide for some helpful resources. It is highly recommended that students under 18 live with a host family. We work with a local company called International Student Placements to arrange homestays at an affordable price with many benefits. Alternately, students may choose to find roommates and rent an apartment/house together. We recommend that you use the International Club Facebook Group to find roommates.

Off-Campus Housing

3) Obtain The F-1 Student Visa

International students at SRJC must have a valid F-1 Student Visa to be able to study in the U.S. Once you receive admission to SRJC you may begin the process to apply for your visa: 

  1. Pay the $350 I-901 SEVIS Fee using your SRJC Form I-20 (see FAQs). Be sure to save the receipt for your visa interview!
  2. Submit a Form DS-160 and pay the $185 application fee (see instructions and FAQs). Be sure to print the application confirmation page for your visa interview!
  3. Contact the nearest U.S. Embassy to schedule your visa interview (see wait times). 
  4. Practice, practice, practice!
  5. Attend your visa interview at the Embassy. 

Already have an F-1 visa? You can provide your admissions email to your current school and request a transfer of your SEVIS record to School Code SFR214F00618000. After the release date, you will receive an updated Form I-20 for your Program of Study at SRJC. Please notify us if you plan to travel internationally between programs. 

Changing your status? We recommend consulting an immigration lawyer before applying for a Change of Status with USCIS. Using your Form I-20, you must pay the I-901 fee then submit the I-539 application online and pay the $420 Filing Fee. You must upload copies of your Form I-20, your most recent I-94 record, and evidence of financial support.

More Information

4) Complete Online Orientation

New and returning F-1 students must complete the ISP Online Orientation course in Canvas before classes start. This course will teach you how to register for classes, where to buy textbooks, how to use your health insurance, the F-1 visa requirements, and everything else you need to be successful at SRJC. It takes approximately 2-3 hours to review the course material and complete the required assignments and quizzes.

The course is self-paced and you may complete it online from any location. A hold will be placed on your account you do not complete ISP Orientation by the deadline.

More Information

5) Register for Classes

SRJC students get to register for classes in order of priority! Login to your Student Portal to check your priority registration date. International students get Priority 2 status after completing the following matriculation steps: 

  1. Academic Orientation: This is an online course available through Canvas. 
  2. Education Plan: You can contact the Counseling Department to make an appointment with one of the International Student Counselors: Chris Grant or Amanda Mansfield. Be sure to provide your SRJC ID number and to identify yourself as an international student.

It is highly recommended that you also complete the English/Math Guided Self-Placement activities before meeting with your Counselor.

Once you have an Education Plan, you can watch these videos for the step-by-step registration process: 

  1. Navigating the SRJC Schedule of Classes
  2. Using the Registration Portal

Please refer to the Academic Calendar for important dates and review the Visa Rules & Regulations.

6) Pay Your Tuition and Fees

Choosing to begin your studies at a community college is one of the best financial decisions you could make as an international student! Among numerous benefits, our tuition fees are fare more affordable than most public and private four-year universities.

When you register for classes your SRJC tuition is posted to your account. Fees will vary depending on how many units you take, but payment must be made before you will be allowed to register for subsequent semesters. The F-1 Health Insurance fee must be paid before classes start, or a hold will be placed on your account. More information about tuition/fees, estimated expenses, payment methods, deadlines and payment plans can be found on our website. 

More Information

Pre-Arrival Webinar

Our Pre-Arrival Webinar for new international students at SRJC addresses things you should know before coming to the U.S.: the F-1 visa application and interview process, what to pack, arriving at the airport and immigration processing, transportation to SRJC, housing and dining options, and Welcome Week activities. These topics are not covered in the ISP Online Orientation or SRJC Orientation courses. You can watch the recording and access the slides from Fall 2024 below:

Recording   Slides

Connect with an ISP Mentor!

If you still have questions, our ISP Mentors are ready to help! These are current students who can help you navigate the social, academic, and cultural life at SRJC and the United States. They know a lot about the college and Santa Rosa. Want to know where to find the best food? What to do for fun? Which apartments are the nicest? You can ask them anything - they are waiting to hear from you!

  • Student
    Ria Manuel

    šŸ“ Philippines
    šŸ“˜ Early Childhood Education
    šŸŽ“ First Year

    I have a passion for baking, I love to travel and explore new areas, and I enjoy dining out.
    rmanuel@bearcubs.santarosa.edu

  • Student standing in front of bridge
    Domingo Lorenzini Calleja

    šŸ“ Chile
    šŸ“˜ Business Administration
    šŸŽ“ Third Year

    My hobbies are reading, volunteering, and Crossfit.
    dcallejalorenzini@bearcubs.santarosa.edu

  • Student
    Kessy Lai Su Hara

    šŸ“ Madagascar
    šŸ“˜ Political Science
    šŸŽ“ First Year

    My hobbies are cooking, swimming, boxing, singing, and dancing.
    klaisuhara@bearcubs.santarosa.edu

  • Student
    Luaceu Cruz

    šŸ“ Brazil
    šŸ“˜ Child Development
    šŸŽ“ First Year

    First off, I love playing volleyball. Tennis is another sport that I love (not really good at but Iā€™m trying my best to improve) and Iā€™m also really into pickleball. But that's not all! Staying fit and healthy is important to me, especially with the demands of college life. So I make sure to hit the gym regularly. And when summer rolls around, I'm all about exploring amazing swimming spots and going for hiking. Of course, I also enjoy some downtime watching my favorite TV shows. It's the perfect way to relax and recharge before diving into my next adventure.
    lcruz2@bearcubs.santarosa.edu

  • Student
    Thu Mya San Aung

    šŸ“ Myanmar
    šŸ“˜ Computer Science
    šŸŽ“ Second Year

    I enjoy swimming in both wavy beaches and calm water because it helps me relax and feel refreshed. I am always up to travel around the world as it opens up new places and cultures to explore. Reading and learning new skills have always been my passion as they keep my mind active and always expending.
    athumyasan@bearcubs.santarosa.edu

  • Student
    Duomiao Zhao

    šŸ“ China
    šŸ“˜ Mathematics
    šŸŽ“ Second Year

    I like to sit on a park bench and think, feel the peace and harmony of nature, and listen to the sound of the wind blowing through the leaves. I also like walking along the beach at sunset and recording the perfect moment. Books are the ladder of human progress, so I love reading and learning valuable knowledge and life experiences.
    dzhao1@bearcubs.santarosa.edu

Helpful Videos

Check out these useful videos of what do do before you leave your home country and after you arrive in the U.S. 

Before You Leave

After You Arrive