future-students | Cascadia College

Future Students

If you, your family, or your agent has questions about Cascadia or needs assistance, our International Programs team is ready to help you.

 

Future Students

International Academic Programs

Admission

International Programs serve international students on F-1 student visas from overseas. If you are an immigrant, a refugee, of a U.S. citizen who would like to student at Cascadia, please contact College and Career Foundations. 

Admission to the English Foundations (EF) Program:

No proof of English proficiency is required to study in English Foundations. After arriving at Cascadia, you will take an English language placement test to determine the appropriate level of English. Tuition for EF is the same as the university transfer program.

Admission to the University Transfer/Associate Degree Program:

You will need to submit a test score from one of the following English placement tests. If you have successfully completed the EF program, you are automatically admitted withot further testing.

  • TOEFL (iBT): 70 (MyBest™ score is accepted)
  • TOEFL (Essentials): 7.5
  • IELTS: 6.0
  • Pearson PTE 48
  • iTEP 4.0
  • STEP/Eiken Pre-1
  • Duolingo 95
  • SAT 480 ERW Section

(Cascadia’s institutional code for sending TOEFL score is 8733.)

If you are an international student whose native language is English or you have completed a college-level writing course at another accredited U.S. educational institution, please contact International Programs Admissions to determine eligibility. international@cascadia.edu

Instructions for Applying

This is our preferred method. https://intlapp.cascadia.edu/

Please use this method if you are not able to apply online.

Step One: Application

Complete the International Student Application. You may also request a paper application by contacting the International Programs Office or calling +1-425-352-8415.

Step Two: English Proficiency (Optional)

Provide proof of English proficiency for placement into the University Transfer/Associate program. See Admission section above for more information about our English proficiency requirements.

Step Three: Financial Support

Provide proof of financial support for one year of study. Financial documents should be no older than 3 months, translated into English, and include the currency being used. See Tuition & Fees below for more information about acceptable documents for proof of funding.

Step Four: Passport

Provide a copy of the photo page of your passport.

Step Five: Transcripts

Provide copies of your high school or past college/university transcripts and/or diploma translated into English. If you are currently attending a college or university, your high school transcripts are not required.

Step Six: Only Students Transferring to Cascadia from another college/university

Transferring to Cascadia from another college or university in the United States is easy.  Simply apply for admission by following the steps  above and filling out Transfer-In Form. (You should fill out and sign the top portion and an advisor at your previous school should fill out the bottom portion and submit it directly to Cascadia).

This is required so your previous school can transfer your SEVIS immigration record to us and a new Cascadia I-20 can be created. Your application will only be considered complete once this form is received.

Please keep in touch and let us know if you have difficulties transferring your immigration record to Cascadia, have immigration questions, or if you are unable to attend Cascadia College for the term you are accepted.

Step Seven: Submit Application

Submit your application materials via fax, courier, postal service, email, or in person to:

Cascadia College
International Programs Office
18345 Campus Way NE
Bothell, WA 98011
United States

Email

Fax: +1 (425) 352-8304

Step Eight: Application Fee

$50 non-refundable application fee will be charged to your Cascadia student account called ctcLink. You will receive instructions via email on how to activate this account. After you activate your account, please go to its financial tab and pay this fee with your credit card or debit card. Your application will be processed after the payment is verified by International Programs.

Step Nine: Wait

Wait for good news. Completed applications are typically processed within two business days.

New international students are required to attend the four day orientation prior to beginning their studies at Cascadia. Orientations are offered every quarter and generally take place the week before classes start. We adhere to these deadlines, but late applicants will be reviewed on a case by case basis. Contact the International Programs Office as soon as possible if you will not be able to attend this mandatory orientation to setup alternate arrangement: international@cascadia.edu.

Quarter

Overseas
Deadline

Transfer Deadline

 Class Dates

Orientation Dates
(subject to change)
Summer 2024 May 24, 2024 June 17, 2024 July 1, 2024 - August 22, 2024 June 24, 2024 - June 27, 2024
Fall 2024 August 15, 2024 September 9, 2024 September 25, 2024 - December 13, 2024 September 17, 2024 - September 20, 2024
Winter 2025 November 27, 2024 December 19, 2024 January 6, 2024 - March 21, 2025 December 30, 2024 - December 31, 2024
Spring 2025 February 2, 2025 March 13, 2025 March 31, 2025 - June 13, 2025 March 24, 2025 - March 27, 2025

Tuition & Fees

The state of Washington sets tuition and fees for all 34 technical and community colleges. You may want to use a currency calculator to convert dollars to other global currencies.

Total Estimated Expenses University Transfer and English Foundations Bachelor Degree Program
3 months (1 Qtr) 9 months (3 Qtrs) 3 months (1 Qtr) 9 months (3 Qtrs)
Tuition $3,542 $10,572 $7,671 $23,013
Room and Board $2,475 $7,425 $2,927 $8,781
Other Fees* $1,060 $3,180 $11,658 $34,974
Total Cost of Attendance $7,059 $21,177 $11,658 $34,974
Other Fees 3 Months (1 Qtr) 9 Months (3 Qtrs)
Insurance $395 $1,185
Books & Supplies $325 $975
Local Transportation $127 $381
Technology, ARC and Class Fees $213 $639
Total $1,060 $3,180
Cascadia College is legally required to verify that international student applicants have sufficient funds available to cover tuition and living costs before we can issue an I-20. The estimated amount for one academic year at Cascadia College is U.S. $21,177. It is important that applicants have sufficient funding available for the entire duration of the academic program. Applicants may be asked to provide this information when applying for a visa at the United States Embassy or Consulate. Estimated costs are subject to change without prior notice and students should be prepared for any adjustments in expenses. Students also must be prepared to pay all tuition and fees in full, as well as charges for living expenses at the time of registration. Checks (from a United States bank account), and credit cards are accepted.

If you are receiving any funding from your employer, a sponsor, or from the government, be prepared to present the appropriate letters or documents which verify this funding. If your financial support is coming from personal or family funds, you may be asked to provide monthly bank account statements. 

  • Documents must be no older than 3 months at the time of application.
  • Documents must be on the bank’s official letterhead.
  • Funds may be either in U.S. dollars or your country’s currency.

 In certain circumstances, we may request additional information or documents.

An additional $5,000 is required for each dependent.

You are expected to have an emergency fund of at least $1,000, as well as enough funds to support yourself while residing or traveling to or from the U.S., whether or not you attend school. 

Scholarships

Cascadia offers a variety of scholarships that are available to international students.

Available to new international students only. The International Diversity Scholarship was created to welcome our new international students and help ensure that they make up a vibrant and growing part of the Cascadia community. Awards are $2,000 each. Applicants must be new or transfer (within the United States) international students on an F-1 visa who have been accepted to Cascadia College, but have not yet taken any classes.

Requirements

  • Completed Application (Required). Please write neatly and be sure to answer all questions.
  • Personal Statement (Required). All applicants will be required to provide a personal statement (500 words max). Topics will be based on scholarship category. Please review the scholarship types below for more details.
  • Recommendation Form (Optional). You can have up to two (2) teachers/counselors (High School/University) complete the recommendation form.

 

Application Deadlines

  • Summer quarter: May 15
  • Fall quarter: August 15
  • Winter quarter: November 15
  • Spring quarter: February 15

 

Download Application Form (new students only)

Available to new students only. This scholarship was created in recognition of the unique role that Education USA Centers and advisors serve in supporting study abroad to the U.S. Two scholarships of $3,500 each will be awarded every year by the Cascadia College International Programs Office.

 

Eligibility

Applicant must be a new international student on an F-1 visa who has been accepted to Cascadia College, but have not yet taken any classes. The applicant must have attended an Education USA student fair or have utilized advising services provided by an Education USA advisor. Must not be represented by an agent or study abroad company.

Requirements

  • Student Information section completed by the student (Required). Please write neatly and be sure to answer all questions.
  • Education USA Advisor section completed by an Education USA advisor (Required). Application forms are to be emailed to Cascadia International Programs (international@cascadia.edu) by the Education USA advisor.
  • Personal Statement (Required). All applicants will be required to provide a personal statement (500 words max). Topics will be based on scholarship category. Please review the scholarship types below for more details.

 

Application Deadlines

  • For students admitted for Summer or Fall quarter: June 1
  • For students admitted for Winter or Spring quarter: December 1

 

Download Application Form (new students only)

Available to current students only. The Global Achievement Scholarships are awarded to students who have demonstrated strong academic achievement, and outstanding talent or achievements in one or more of the following areas: Academic Merit, Leadership, and/or Community Service. Awards are $2,000 each.

Eligibility

  • Applicants must be currently enrolled Cascadia students who have already completed at least one quarter of classes at Cascadia.
  • Applicants are required to be enrolled in classes for the next academic quarter.
  • Applicants may only receive the Global Achievement Scholarship once per category (Academic Merit, Leadership, Community Service).

 

Requirements

  • Completed Application (Required). Please write neatly and be sure to answer all questions.
  • Personal Statement (Required). All applicants will be required to provide a personal statement (500 words max). Topics will be based on scholarship category. Please review the scholarship types below for more details.
  • Recommendation Form (Required). Applicants are required to submit at least one (1), but may submit up to two (2), recommendation letter(s).
  • Unofficial Cascadia Transcript (Required)IP staff will download the applicant’s unofficial transcript from ctcLink.

 

Application Deadlines

  • Spring quarter: February 15

 

Download Application Form (current students only)

Available to current students only. There are two scholarship seasons every year; one in fall quarter and one in spring quarter. Several of the scholarships are open to non-resident and international students! For more information go to Cascadia College Foundation Scholarships.

Please note that all required documents must be submitted at the same time. Incomplete and late applications will not be considered. Awards will not be distributed until registration is closed and we have confirmed that the awardee is registered for a full course of study (12+ credits).

If you have any questions, please email us at international@cascadia.edu.

Completed applications can be hand-delivered, mailed, or e-mailed to:
International Programs Cascadia College, 18345 Campus Way NE Bothell, WA 98011.
Email at international@cascadia.edu.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

In the United States, a community college is a type of educational institution that offers two-year programs, including associate degrees and certificates. These colleges often provide a more affordable and accessible option for students to complete the first two years of their undergraduate education before transferring to a four-year college or university to complete a bachelor's degree. Cascadia College specializes in these academic transfer programs.

Colleges offer undergraduate programs and provide associate’s or bachelor’s degrees. In contrast, universities offer both undergraduate and graduate programs, including master’s and doctoral degrees. Universities are generally larger in terms of student enrollment and campus size compared to colleges.

Cascadia offers:

  • English Foundations Program (intensive English program)
  • University Transfer Program (2+2 program, Associate's degrees in wide range of fields of study)
  • High School Completion Program
  • Bachelor’s degree in Applied Science Program (Sustainable Practices)
  • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science (more information to come)

During the first two years, students choose a major, finish general education courses, and earn at least 90 credits at Cascadia. In the second year, they apply to their preferred university major, and once accepted, transfer their Cascadia credits. They start as third-year students at a four-year university, complete major courses, and graduate with a bachelor’s degree in two more years.

Cascadia’s high school completion program is a great opportunity for students to earn their high school diploma while completing the requirements of their associate degree at the same time. Students in this program complete college-level coursework which is credited for both high school and college.

International students usually require two years (or six academic quarters) of full-time college-level courses to fulfill the requirements for both the high school diploma and associate degree.

To be eligible for this program, students must:

  • Be 16 years old or older upon the start of studies
  • Be an international student on F-1 student visa
  • Not have already received a high school diploma or equivalent in their home country or in the US
  • Recommended: have completed at least 9th grade (or equivalent in home country)

Cascadia international students can do a homestay or rent an apartment. For newly arriving students, Cascadia strongly recommend students living in a homestay for at least the first year. Cascadia refers all homestay housing requests to outside, reputable, privately owned homestay agencies. While Cascadia does not have residence halls or dormitories, there are typically a limited number of spaces available at the University of Washington Bothell student residence halls.

International students enrolled in college credit courses at Cascadia are able to work on-campus jobs. We have a variety of jobs available, from working at the Activities & Recreation Center, the Campus Library, and different college departments, including International Programs.

Yes, F-1 international students are eligible to apply for an Optional Practical Training (OPT) when they graduate from Cascadia with an Associate’s or a Bachelor’s degree. The OPT allows Cascadia international graduates to work in the United States for one year in their field of study. 

Have your I-20 signed on page 2 by your international student advisor.  This signature will be valid for 9 months.

Know when your visa expires. If your F-1 visa expires before you return to the United States, you must apply for a new visa at a United States consulate or embassy outside of the U.S.

Know the requirements for entering other countries. Each country has different regulations for citizens of different countries. Check to see if you can enter the country where you plan to travel and if you need a visa. You can apply for foreign visas in the United States through the consulate or embassy of your destination country.

To return to the United States as an F-1 student, students must have:

  • I-20 signed on page 3 by a Cascadia international advisor
  • A valid F-1 visa (for travel to Canada or Mexico, see below)
  • A valid passport
  • Recommended: Proof of enrollment at Cascadia
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