Cal State LA welcomes students from universities around the world through international exchange partnerships. This page is designed for exchange and study abroad coordinators at partner universities who are preparing to nominate, send, or support students studying at Cal State LA.
Incoming exchange students arrive at Cal State LA through two different pathways: the CSU Systemwide Student Exchange Program administered by CSU International Programs (CSU IP) and direct bilateral exchange agreements between Cal State LA and partner universities. Because the nomination and application processes are different, partner coordinators should first identify which pathway applies to their institution.
Which Exchange Pathway Applies to Your Institution?
CSU International Programs Partners
Your institution has an exchange agreement with the California State University system through CSU International Programs.
CSU IP manages partner nominations, the systemwide application process, and placement of students at participating CSU campuses.
Students interested in Cal State LA apply through the CSU systemwide exchange process rather than directly to Cal State LA.
Cal State LA Bilateral Exchange Partners
Your institution has a direct student exchange agreement with Cal State LA.
The Office of Study Abroad (OSA) coordinates nominations, exchange applications, partner communication, and the Cal State LA exchange process.
Students may not apply independently. They must first be nominated by their home university.
Please Use the Correct Exchange Process
CSU IP partners should follow the nomination and application instructions provided by CSU International Programs. Direct Cal State LA bilateral partners should follow instructions provided by the Cal State LA Office of Study Abroad. The two processes are not interchangeable.
Who Does What at Cal State LA?
Exchange administration and immigration sponsorship are related, but they are different functions. Cal State LA separates these responsibilities between the Office of Study Abroad and the International Students and Scholars Office.
Office of Study Abroad (OSA)
OSA coordinates the exchange-program relationship and student experience, including:
- Partner-university communication
- Bilateral student nominations
- Exchange application coordination
- Exchange capacity and placement questions
- Academic and course-planning communication
- Campus onboarding
- Orientation and welcome information
- Connections to housing and campus resources
- General exchange-program questions
- End-of-program and transcript coordination
Email: [email protected]
International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO)
ISSO coordinates the J-1 immigration and SEVIS responsibilities associated with eligible incoming exchange students, including:
- J-1 immigration eligibility review
- SEVIS record creation
- Form DS-2019 issuance
- Immigration-document review
- J-1 arrival and immigration check-in
- Maintaining J-1 status
- International travel questions
- Program extensions when permitted
- Other J-1 immigration matters
CSU International Programs Partner Universities
CSU International Programs administers the CSU Systemwide Student Exchange Program from the CSU Office of the Chancellor. Students participating through this pathway apply to the CSU system, not directly to Cal State LA.
Students identify multiple CSU campuses they are willing to attend. CSU IP determines campus placement based on available exchange capacity, academic fit, student preferences, and other program considerations.
When a CSU IP Student Is Placed at Cal State LA
After CSU IP places a student at Cal State LA and the student accepts the placement, Cal State LA becomes responsible for the campus-specific onboarding process.
The student and partner coordinator should continue to follow CSU IP instructions for systemwide exchange requirements while also responding to Cal State LA communications regarding academics, immigration, registration, housing, orientation, and arrival.
CSU IP partner coordinators should continue to use the current CSU IP nomination procedures, eligibility standards, deadlines, and application materials published for the applicable exchange cycle.
Do not submit a separate Cal State LA bilateral exchange nomination for a student participating through the CSU Systemwide Student Exchange Program unless Cal State LA specifically instructs you to do so.
CSU Systemwide Exchange Information
Cal State LA Bilateral Exchange Partners
Students participating through a direct bilateral exchange agreement are nominated to Cal State LA by their home university.
Cal State LA does not accept direct bilateral exchange applications from students who have not first been nominated by their home institution.
The Office of Study Abroad provides partner coordinators with nomination and application instructions for the applicable exchange cycle.
The general process is:
- Partner confirms exchange availability. The home university confirms with OSA that it plans to nominate a student and that exchange capacity is available.
- Home university nominates the student. Nominations are submitted by the designated exchange or study abroad coordinator.
- Student receives Cal State LA instructions. OSA provides the nominated student with the appropriate application and onboarding information.
- Student submits required materials. Academic, identity, financial, English-proficiency, and other documentation may be required depending on the student's circumstances.
- Cal State LA reviews the exchange application. Additional academic or administrative review may be required.
- ISSO completes the applicable J-1 review. Eligible students requiring Cal State LA J-1 sponsorship complete the immigration process and receive Form DS-2019 instructions from ISSO.
- Student completes pre-arrival requirements. OSA and ISSO provide information about enrollment, immigration check-in, orientation, housing resources, and arrival.
Important J-1 Immigration Update
Federal rules governing how J-1 exchange visitors are admitted to and remain in the United States are changing. Partner coordinators and incoming exchange students should review current Cal State LA guidance when planning arrival, travel, program dates, extensions, or other immigration-related actions.
Planning for an Incoming Exchange Student
Expand the sections below for information that may be useful as you advise students preparing to study at Cal State LA.
Student Eligibility
Eligibility requirements depend on the exchange pathway and applicable institutional agreement.
Students should generally be prepared to demonstrate:
- Current enrollment at an eligible exchange partner university
- Good academic standing
- Academic preparation appropriate for proposed Cal State LA coursework
- Sufficient English-language proficiency
- Sufficient financial resources for the exchange period
- Eligibility under applicable U.S. immigration requirements
- Ability to meet Cal State LA and exchange-program requirements
CSU IP partners must follow the current eligibility requirements published by CSU International Programs.
Cal State LA bilateral partners should follow the eligibility and nomination information provided by OSA for the applicable exchange cycle.
English-Language Proficiency
Incoming exchange students must have sufficient English proficiency to participate successfully in University coursework and function independently in the Cal State LA community.
Acceptable documentation and required proficiency standards may vary by exchange pathway and may change over time.
CSU IP partners should use current CSU IP requirements. Bilateral partners should use the current requirements provided by Cal State LA rather than relying on older application packets or test-score requirements that may still appear elsewhere online.
Student Application Documents
Required documents vary by pathway and student, but exchange applicants should generally expect to provide information such as:
- Passport biographical information
- Academic transcripts
- English-proficiency documentation when required
- Financial documentation
- Proposed academic subjects or courses
- Other information required by Cal State LA, CSU IP, or immigration regulations
Students and partner coordinators should use only the current instructions for the applicable exchange cycle.
Academics & Course Planning
Exchange students should work with their home university before arrival to identify courses that are appropriate for their academic program.
The home institution determines how Cal State LA coursework applies toward the student's degree.
Students should identify multiple acceptable course options because enrollment in a specific course cannot be guaranteed.
Course availability may depend on:
- Available space
- Prerequisites
- Academic level
- Department or instructor approval
- Program restrictions
- Schedule conflicts
- Other University enrollment requirements
CSU IP exchange students should also follow CSU IP's current subject-selection and academic-level requirements.
Course Registration & Full-Time Enrollment
Cal State LA will provide incoming exchange students with registration information appropriate to their exchange pathway.
Course selection before arrival is primarily for planning purposes. Final enrollment may not be confirmed until the University's registration process is completed.
J-1 exchange students must maintain the full course of study required for their immigration status unless ISSO has authorized an exception permitted by federal regulations.
Students should contact ISSO before dropping courses or making an enrollment change that could affect J-1 status.
Tuition, Campus Fees & Financial Planning
Financial arrangements depend on the exchange agreement through which the student participates.
For direct bilateral exchanges, eligible students generally receive the tuition treatment established by the applicable institutional agreement. Students may still be responsible for mandatory campus fees and other costs.
CSU IP participants should follow the financial guidance provided by CSU International Programs and the information communicated after campus placement.
Students should budget for expenses that may include:
- Applicable campus fees
- Housing
- Meals
- Health insurance
- Transportation
- Books and course materials
- Visa and SEVIS-related expenses
- Airfare
- Personal and emergency expenses
J-1 Immigration & Form DS-2019
Students who will participate in J-1 Exchange Visitor status must complete the immigration process required by ISSO.
ISSO reviews the student's immigration eligibility, creates the applicable SEVIS record, and issues Form DS-2019 after all required documentation has been received and reviewed.
The Form DS-2019 is an immigration document used as part of the J-1 process. It is not a visa and does not guarantee visa issuance or admission to the United States.
Students should not expect a DS-2019 immediately after nomination. Academic/exchange approval and immigration-document review are separate steps.
Health Insurance
J-1 exchange students and accompanying J-2 dependents are required to maintain health insurance that satisfies applicable federal Exchange Visitor Program requirements throughout the period of participation.
Cal State LA may also establish campus-specific insurance procedures for exchange students.
Students should follow the insurance instructions provided for their specific exchange cycle and should not purchase a policy solely on the basis of older Cal State LA materials found online.
Housing
Acceptance or placement as an exchange student does not guarantee University housing.
Students interested in living on campus should review Housing and Residence Life information and follow the applicable housing application process as early as possible.
Housing is administered separately from exchange admission, immigration sponsorship, and course enrollment.
Arrival, Orientation & J-1 Check-In
Students should monitor Cal State LA communications carefully before arrival.
Incoming exchange students may receive information about:
- Recommended arrival timing
- University orientation
- Exchange-student onboarding
- Course enrollment
- Campus identification and University systems
- Housing and transportation
- Health and student-support resources
- Required J-1 immigration check-in
J-1 exchange students must complete the immigration check-in process required by ISSO after arrival so that their participation can be appropriately validated in SEVIS.
Partner coordinators should encourage students to notify Cal State LA immediately if their arrival will be delayed or their plans change.
Student Life & Support at Cal State LA
Exchange students are encouraged to participate fully in the Cal State LA community during their time in Los Angeles.
Students can access campus resources and opportunities related to:
- Student organizations and campus involvement
- Academic support
- University Library services
- Health and counseling
- Career development
- Cross-cultural engagement
- Campus events and activities
- Accessibility and student-support services
End of Exchange & Transcripts
Before completing their exchange, students should resolve outstanding academic, financial, housing, and immigration responsibilities.
OSA will provide or direct students and partner coordinators to the applicable process for obtaining academic records following the exchange.
CSU IP students and partner coordinators should also follow any transcript instructions provided through the CSU Systemwide Student Exchange Program.
The student's home university determines how Cal State LA coursework and grades apply toward the student's home degree.
Keep Us Informed
Strong communication between Cal State LA and our partner universities is essential to a successful exchange.
Partner coordinators should contact OSA when:
- A nominated student withdraws or changes plans
- A student's anticipated exchange term changes
- There is a significant academic or program concern
- A student may arrive late
- The partner institution has questions about exchange capacity
- There are changes to the designated partner coordinator
- The institution wishes to discuss future exchange activity
Immigration-specific matters involving an existing J-1 record should be handled with ISSO according to the instructions provided to the student.
Our Exchange Partnerships Matter
International exchange is more than student mobility. It connects universities, faculty, students, communities, and perspectives across borders.
Cal State LA values the institutions that make these experiences possible and looks forward to working with our partners to create meaningful, academically strong, and well-supported experiences for incoming exchange students.
Partner Contact
Exchange Program & Partnership Questions
Office of Study Abroad (OSA)
California State University, Los Angeles
Library Palmer Wing, Room 4503
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 323-343-3170
Contact OSA regarding bilateral nominations, exchange-program administration, academic coordination, partner communication, or questions about a student preparing to study at Cal State LA.
J-1 Immigration Questions
International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO)
California State University, Los Angeles
Library Palmer Wing, Room 4503
Phone: 323-343-3170
For J-1 immigration, SEVIS, and Form DS-2019 information, visit the J-1 Exchange Students page. Students already in the immigration process should follow the contact instructions provided by ISSO for their individual case.