Exchange students are students from designated Cal State LA exchange partner universities who study at Cal State LA for a short-term academic experience.
Eligibility
Students currently enrolled at one of Cal State LA's designated exchange partner universities may be eligible to participate in our international exchange program.
Exchange students must be citizens and residents of a foreign country. Cal State LA does not accept dual citizens of the United States and another country as exchange students.
Before applying, please confirm that your university is a Cal State LA exchange partner.
If your university is not an exchange partner
You are not eligible to study at Cal State LA as an exchange student. However, you may still have other options:
- Apply directly to the University as a degree-seeking F-1 international student through International Admissions.
- Explore the Semester in LA Program, which allows international students to study at Cal State LA for one or two terms.
Application
Applications are not accepted directly from students. All exchange applications must be submitted through your home university coordinator.
The Exchange Student Application Packet includes:
- A completed Exchange Student Application
- Proof of financial support
- Proof of English language proficiency:
- Undergraduate students: TOEFL iBT 61 or IELTS 5.5
- Graduate students: TOEFL iBT 80 or IELTS 6
- Transcripts, with English translation if needed
After Cal State LA receives the Exchange Student Application, Cal State LA International will notify exchange students of any additional steps. The DS-2019, which is the immigration document used to apply for a J-1 visa, will be issued and sent to the exchange student's home university study abroad coordinator for distribution.
Exchange Student Application Deadlines
| Deadline | Students Planning to Study at Cal State LA |
|---|---|
| April 1 | Fall semester, beginning in August |
| October 31 | Spring semester, beginning in January |
Exchange partner universities must submit student nominations approximately one month before the application deadline. Cal State LA will try to review each application and provide feedback within one month after the application deadline.
Questions about the status of your application must be directed to your home university coordinator.
Fees
Cal State LA tuition fees are waived for exchange students. However, exchange students are required to pay campus fees for student services provided by the University. Estimated campus fees are approximately $500 USD per semester.
A full list of services and associated costs is available from One-Stop Financial Services.
Health Insurance
J-1 exchange students are required to enroll in a health insurance policy that meets the requirements of the Exchange Visitor Program.
Exchange students must present proof of enrollment in the approved policy to Cal State LA International before enrolling in classes. All international students and scholars must maintain insurance coverage during their stay in the United States.
As a J-1 exchange student, you are required to purchase the Cal State LA approved insurance policy regardless of any other health insurance you may already have.
Information about health insurance requirements is available on the Health Insurance page. Confirmation of enrollment may be emailed to [email protected].