International F-1 Visa Program

The Chaffey Joint Union High School District is proud to welcome and support international students at our schools! The following information is for international students who are seeking either a one year or one semester public high school experience for grades 9-12. CJUHSD has eight comprehensive high schools qualified through SEVIS to provide an I-20 form for application. (*Please note: Etiwanda, Los Osos, and Rancho Cucamonga High Schools are impacted and not accepting students for the 2023-2024 school year.)

 

All issuance of I-20 forms is completed through the District Instructional Services Division Office. For all questions and inquiries regarding enrolling F-1 visa students to the CJUHSD, contact Michelle Digon, Designated School Official (DSO), at 909-988-8511 ext. 2701 or [email protected]. We work with agencies registered with the International Student Exchange Placement Registry List in California. 

 

Interested international F-1 Visa students must not have graduated high school in their home country, must speak English and be under 18 years of age. Students are required to reimburse the CJUHSD for the full unsubsidized per capita cost of education for the intended period of study by Federal law (Section 625 of Public Law 104-208). The tuition fee for the 2023-24 school year is $15,854 for the full year and $7,927 for one semester.

 

Please note the enrollment process is lengthy; it is best to begin the application process as early as possible.

 

1st Semester application deadline for the 23-24 school year:         June 1, 2023

2nd Semester application deadline for the 23-24 school year:       November 1, 2023

 

International Students on an F-1 Visa enrolling in high school are allowed by Federal law to stay one year in a public high school. The student must either transfer to a private high school, enroll in a college/university, or return home after one year.

 

Please see below for Frequently Asked Questions.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

I am applying for an F-1 Visa, where can I obtain information?

I-20 applications for F-1 Visa students are processed at the District Instructional Services Division Office. Once all required documents and tuition are received, an I-20 document is created. Contact Michelle Digon, Designated School Official (DSO), for more information and for a complete list of enrollment requirements.

 

I am applying for a J-1 Visa, where can I obtain information?

Please contact the school site that is within your boundary and speak with the Assistant Principal of Instruction or their secretary for enrollment information. It is at the principal’s discretion to accept students based on availability.

 

I would like to host an international student. What information do I need to provide?

Host families must live within the District’s attendance boundaries and provide a copy of their gas bill, electric bill, and/or driver’s license. The District does not find host families for students.

 

What additional information should I know?

We work with agencies registered with the International Student Exchange Placement Registry List in California. Interested international F-1 Visa students must not have graduated high school in their home country, must speak English and be under 18 years of age. It is important for the student to have good grades, as it will be challenging to keep up with classwork, homework, and adjusting to a new home and a different language.

 

Can the student earn a high school diploma?

The District has substantial interest in students coming for grade 12 requesting to earn a high school diploma. If the student is in their senior year and requesting to earn a diploma, they must meet District graduation requirements. It is imperative the District is made aware of a student’s intent to earn a diploma and submit official transcripts with English translation, including course specific titles and credits earned in each subject area. CJUHSD partners with the AERC to provide professional translation services.