Determining Eligibility

This page is mainly for exchange students. Exchange scholars’ eligibility is determined between the participating institutions.

 

International Exchange Programs are based on a mutual agreement between California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB) and a partner institution or a sponsoring agency. In most cases, but not all, this includes an exchange of scholars/students between the two institutions. Exchange students, who come from institutions with which there is a bona fide exchange and the exchange numbers are in balance, do not pay any tuition during their time at CSUB. International scholars/students who come to CSUB through an exchange or sponsored program are eligible for a J-1 visa. At CSUB, this category of scholars/students enjoys special privileges, but they also have certain responsibilities and obligations to contribute to the internationalization of CSUB.

 

It should be noted that J-1 Visa/Exchange students enjoy all the rights and privileges of a fee-paying matriculated students at CSUB during their stay (usually one or two quarters), but they have not been accepted into a degree program at CSUB. They are at CSUB as special guests, and all academic credit is presumed to transfer back to their home institution to count towards their home institution degree. It does not count toward a degree at CSUB.

 

Participating Eligibility

 

To determine if you are eligible to apply as an exchange student, you need to contact your International Programs Office to see if your institution has signed a Student Exchange Agreement with CSUB and to find who the Exchange Program Coordinator is at your institution.

 

If your institution is on the list of approved exchange agreements, you need to be nominated by your institution. Consult with your Exchange Program Coordinator to determine the following information:

if you are eligible to participate;

the terms and conditions of the exchange;

your institution's selection process and deadlines for participating in the exchange program.

 

Admission Eligibility

 

Determine your CSUB Admission Eligibility based on Academic, Financial, and English Proficiency Requirements

  1. Academic Requirements: Exchange students need to have a minimum 2.75 GPA on a 4.0 scale and approved by your major department for the exchange program.
  2. Financial Requirements: As an exchange program participant, you will not have to pay CSUB registration fees and/or non-resident tuition. You will be required to submit a financial statement verifying that you have at least $12,378 available for one academic year (3 quarters) or $ 4,146 for one academic quarter to cover the
    following estimated costs:
    • Registration Fees: paid by exchange program
    • Tuition: paid by exchange program
    • Books & Supplies: $ 460 per quarter
    • Health Insurance: $248 per quarter
    • Food & Housing: $2,598 per quarter
    • Personal Expenses: $840 per quarter
  3. English Proficiency Requirements: CSUB requires that all applicants demonstrate satisfactory proficiency in English. All applicants who have not attended secondary or postsecondary educational institutions where English is the principle language of instruction for at least three years of full-time transferable level enrollment (12-15 transferable units per quarter), must submit either an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score. The test score must be obtained within two years prior to application to CSUB. You must have the minimum score or higher to be eligible for admission.