Undergraduate Application Guide

Fall Semester (August start)

First-year freshman students typically enter CSU during the fall semester. The application for fall semester opens August 1, one year prior to the start of the term.

EARLY ACTION (non-binding)

All application files completed by December 1 are considered part of the Early Action pool to receive full admission consideration and automatic scholarship review by December 31.

REGULAR DECISION

Application files completed by February 1 receive full admission consideration and automatic scholarship review by February 28.

Spring Semester (January start)

While spring semester is not the traditional starting date for first-year freshman students, it is possible to begin in the spring. The application for spring semester opens in August.

WHAT WE NEED:

  1. Application
    Submit an application using the CommonApp. There is a $50 fee to apply, or you can also submit an application for a fee waiver.
  2. Transcripts
    Submit your most recent transcripts or mark sheets. We will ask for additional materials if necessary. All decisions are provisional until a final, official transcript verifying graduation is received.
  3. Personal statement
    Your personal statement, commonly called an essay, is your opportunity to help us understand what makes you unique beyond your grades and transcripts. Your personal statement will be reviewed during your admission decision, for consideration for any competitive majors, and international scholarships.

English Proficiency For Direct Admission

TOEFL, IELTS Academic, or Duolingo English Test (DET) results are the preferred indicators of English proficiency for undergraduate applicants. For applicants seeking direct admission, the requirements are as follows:

  • TOEFL (IBT) score of 72 or higher
  • IELTS Academic score of 6.0 or higher
  • Duolingo score of 110 or higher

IMMIGRATION DOCUMENTS: OBTAIN YOUR I-20

Immigration Information

You will complete the immigration information as part of your application to CSU. The link to the Immigration Information Form will be sent via email. Please be sure to check your email frequently for communications. Here you will specify:

  • Your sources of financial support and an affidavit of support from a family member or friend
  • Your address
  • Your current US visa status, if applicable
  • Information about your dependents
  • If you are a returning student or applying to the Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine program, you will submit the Immigration Document Request Form to ISSS instead.

Financial Support Documents

Immigration documents (I-20 or DS-2019) can only be sent to admitted students* whose financial support information has been received, verified, and approved. CSU does not offer scholarships which cover the full cost of attendance, so it is required that students show financial support equal to or exceeding their program’s estimated expenses.

I-20 Immigration Document for F-1 Students:

In order to be issued an I-20 immigration document, a student’s financial documentation must demonstrate the ability to pay the full cost of attendance for one full academic year. Please see the Estimated Expense Form for more information on cost of attendance.

Copy of Passport

  • A copy of the ID page of your passport will be needed before the Office of International Programs can issue your immigration documents.
  • If you are bringing dependents (a spouse or children), copies of their passports will also be needed.
  • Your passport must be valid for at least six (6) months beyond the start of your program.

Graduate Application Guide

The final approval for your application is made by the CSU Graduate School, but the recommendation to admit is made by the department in which you intend to study. Departments may have requirements in addition to or more stringent than those of the University. It is critical that you review the specific departmental requirements on your department’s website well in advance of the application deadline.

WHEN TO APPLY

  • Fall Semester: August Start
    • Application opens at the beginning of September for the following summer and fall terms.
  • Spring Semester: January Start
    • Application opens at the beginning of February for the following spring term.

Deadline to Apply

Application deadline to apply varies by department. Check with your department to determine the deadline.

International applicant requirements

  1. Non-refundable application fee
    Degree programs, international applicants: $70.
    Graduate Certificate programs, international applicants: $60.
  2. Completion of a bachelor’s degree
    Bachelor’s degree must be completed by the start of your graduate program.
    Completion of a bachelor’s degree equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree from an institution that is recognized by a governmental national higher education authority (at the time the degree was earned). Review this guide to comparable degrees.
  3. Transcripts
    Contact your department to find out if unofficial transcripts are accepted. If your department accepts unofficial transcripts, you may be admitted and registered in your first semester of courses with an unofficial transcript.
  4. Resume or curriculum vitae
    There is no standardized format unless specified by the academic department.
    Use this document to highlight and address your professional and volunteer experiences.
  5. Written statement of purpose
    There is no standardized format unless specified by the academic department.
    Tell admissions committees who you are holistically, what your academic and professional interests are, and how you will add value to the graduate program and the respective discipline.
  6. Letters of recommendation
    All applicants are required to provide contact information for a minimum of three (3) recommenders. Some departments require two (2) letters, and some require three (3) letters. If your department requires two letters, the first two letters submitted will meet the requirement. Please contact your department to verify the minimum number of required letters.
  7. Grade Point Average
    In general, the minimum cumulative GPA for non-provisional admittance is a 3.000 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) to be admitted by the Graduate School. Departments may require a higher GPA.
  8. GRE/GMAT scores
    Contact the academic department to verify whether the GRE/GMAT is required.

Find Your Program and Apply

CSU offers more than 89 Master’s programs, 54 Doctoral programs and 58 Graduate Certificates. Head to the Grad School website to find your program’s requirements and begin your application to study at Colorado State.

Undergraduate Tuition and Scholarships

We want to make it as easy as possible to find and receive scholarships to attend Colorado State University. That’s why our International Enrollment Center has implemented a holistic scholarship model to help students get the financial aid they need to study in the United States and join us on our Fort Collins, Colorado campus.

Below, you will find different tuition estimates, along with various scholarship opportunities for undergraduate international students. You can also use our total cost calculator to estimate how much you will have to pay (per year) based on your anticipated scholarships and other funding sources.

Estimated Expenses for 2024Undergraduate Students
Non-Resident Tuition and Required Fees*$33,973
Housing, Meals, Personal Expenses$15,606
Other (Books, supplies, health insurance)$4,487
TOTAL ESTIMATED FUNDING NEEDED$54,066

Our international student scholarships range from $2,000 to $12,000 per year. Students receiving our largest awards have a combination of outstanding grades (GPA), challenging coursework, and demonstrate strong engagement in extracurricular involvement.

Students will learn of their admission decision AND scholarship award amount within 14 days after submitting an application

Scholarships are renewable each year as long as the student maintains good academic standing at CSU.

receive consideration for our largest scholarships you must apply by December 15. We will continue to award scholarships for later applicants until March 15.

Graduate Tuition

 Tuition & FeesLiving ExpensesBooks, suppliesEstimated Total
Graduate (standard)$32,636 USD$14,679 USD$4,007 USD$51,322 USD
Graduate: Occupational Therapy, Addiction Counseling, or Prof. Science Masters in Natural Sciences$34,136 USD$14,679 USD$4,007 USD$52,822 USD
Graduate: College of Business$36,292 USD$14,679 USD$4,007 USD$54,978 USD
Graduate: Impact MBA$43,981 USD$14,679 USD$4,007 USD$62,667 USD

*Some departments and courses will charge additional fees. CSU assistantships do not yet cover 100% of fees, so students receiving CSU assistantships should budget accordingly.

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