Complete Pre-Enrollment Steps #1-3 to begin the enrollment and academic advisement process.
Note: Students who have deferred their admission application from a previous semester will need to complete the Pre-Enrollment Steps again.
- Response Questionnaire- All new international students are required to complete the New International Student Response Questionnaire, to informs us of your intent to attend CSUN and schedule preferences/restrictions.
- Not Anymore- Title IX Training- To maintain a safe environment all CSUN staff and students are required to complete Not Anymore(PDF), an online, violence prevention program, before enrolling in classes. For help, visit How to Access "Not Anymore" Training.
- You are highly recommended to complete the COVID Attestation. For the most up to date COVID-19 protocols including updates to isolation and quarantine guidelines please visit COVID-19 | California State University, Northridge.
New International Student Advisement Workshop: Once Pre-Enrollment Steps #1-3 are complete, within 5-7 business days students will be sent an invitation to their CSUN email, with a link to schedule an appointment to attend the academic advisement workshop. Prior to the workshop students will receive a tentative class schedule, which they can discuss with their academic advisor during the workshop.
Students can prepare for the New International Student Academic Advisement workshop by reviewing the Online Pre-Enrollment Workshop.
All new international students are required to sign up for the New Student Orientation.
Orientation provides useful information about what to expect at CSUN, allows you to tour the campus, and helps you meet fellow international students. Go to NSO International to register (Registration may not be available until July/August). International freshman and transfer students are only required to attend the International Orientation.
Class Enrollment
1-How do I enroll in classes for the first semester?
An advisor will enroll new F-1 international students into courses once Pre-Enrollment Steps 1 and 2 are complete. Once enrolled students will have the opportunity to review the schedule and request changes. To begin this process please click the drop down box labeled “1st Semester Academic Advisement Instructions”. New international students will be able to enroll themselves into courses beginning their second semester.
2-Am I required to make an academic advisement appointment for the first semester?
New students are highly encouraged to attend the New International Student Academic Advisement Workshop (virtual), to meet with their academic advisor and review their class schedule. An invitation to attend the academic advisement workshop will be sent once all pre-enrollment steps are complete.
3-Can I choose my own classes?
No, new international students do not self-enroll into classes. Your International Advisor will pre-enroll you into your first semester courses. However, students are encouraged to review their Degree Progress Report (DPR) and the CSUN catalog to help them understand their degree requirements. Students who would like to select specific classes are welcome to discuss their preferences with an academic advisor, who will review them for degree applicability, student eligibility, and course availability. All students should plan to incorporate general education courses into their schedule, including transfer students who must take 9 units of upper division general education at CSUN.
4-What happens if I complete the Pre-Enrollment Steps late?
Students who complete the Pre-Enrollment Steps late may be enrolled into courses that do not meet during their ideal schedule preference and/or may risk important major classes closing. Late is considered July/August for fall and December/January for spring. Students who wait until after the semester begins to let us know they plan to attend may have to obtain permission numbers to be enrolled into classes. Late enrollment via permission numbers is not guaranteed to be approved.
5-How are hybrid/fully online classes conducted/How do I attend a fully online class?
CSUN offers a variety of fully online, hybrid, and fully on campus courses. For full details please review the Online Course Designations. Online meetings for most courses will be conducted virtually via Zoom. Information on Zoom (video call) links, assignments, and quizzes will be sent out by the instructor via the students CSUN gmail and/or Canvas account. If a student has not received course information from their instructor via email or canvas by the time the semester begins they should email their instructor. Instructors contact information can be found by typing their name into the CSUN Directory.
7-When will my tuition be due once I am enrolled?
Tuition is due no later than the Friday of the first week of classes. You may see an earlier fee due date on your portal, however international students are given extra time to pay during their first semester. For tuition information, please visit Student Finance.
8-If I drop a class will I receive a refund?
Students are entitled to a refund only if there is a decrease in the number of units in which they are enrolled. Refunds are prorated after the start of the semester up until week 3. After week 3 students are not eligible for refunds due to partial schedule changes. More information on refunds can be found on the Student Refund webpage.
9-I have decided to withdraw or defer my admission to a future semester. What do I do?
Students who decide to completely withdraw or defer their admission after enrollment should notify International Admissions and email our International Academic Advisement Team as soon as possible, so that we can drop you from classes and so that enrollment fees can be removed from your account.
Holds
1-I have an International Advisement Required hold on my portal. What do I do?
The advisement hold for new international students will stay on for the first semester only. You DO NOT need to get this hold removed. This process is followed so that new international students consult with an academic advisor before adjusting their schedule; this guarantees that students maintain proper enrollment status. The International Advisement hold will be removed when it is time for students to register themselves for the 2nd semester.
2-I have a Title 9 hold on my portal. What do I do?
To maintain a safe environment, CSUN staff and students are required to complete "Not Anymore" an online, video- based, violence prevention program. Once you complete the training, your hold should be lifted within 24 hours. For help, view the How to Access the Title IX Training.
3-I have a Covid-19 Attestation hold on my portal. What do I do?
All new, returning and continuing students enrolling for in-person classes must be fully vaccinated, including a booster if/when eligible. Exceptions include students with a medical or religious exemption and students whose classes will not meet on campus. All students enrolling for first semester must complete the COVID-19 Vaccine Certification process before registering for classes. To begin the certification process, log into the MyNorthridge Portal and follow the directions. To review the student COVID-19 process, described with helpful step-by-step screen shots, please visit COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements. Questions should be emailed to shcinfo@csun.edu. For information about on campus health and safety guidelines please visit Matadors Forward.
4-I have a Foreign hold on my portal. What do I do?
The International & Exchange Student Center (IESC) places the Foreign or “F” hold. The foreign hold is placed for proof of health insurance. Insurance is not included in your tuition. For more information on how to remove the foreign hold, please visit the IESC website.
5-I have an Immunization hold on my portal. What do I do?
The Klotz Student Health Center places the Immunization hold. The immunization hold is placed for proof of immunization for Rubella/Rubeola and/or Hepatitis B. For information on how to submit proof of immunization or to obtain any screenings visit the Klotz Student Health Center.
Exams
1-Am I required to take a math placement exam?
All freshman are recommended to take the Math Selection Assessment (MSA). The MSA determines placement into pre-college math up to Calculus I. Students who do not take the MSA or are not exempt via transfer work or an external exams (AP, IB, GCE A-levels, etc.) may be placed into the lowest level math course. Some transfer students may also be recommended to take the MSA based on their major. Students will be notified by an academic advisor if they are recommended to take the MSA, which will be offered during the two weeks before school begins.
2-Am I required to take a writing/English placement exam?
CSUN currently does not offer a writing/English placement test. Freshman students are encouraged to take the SAT or ACT to determine placement into freshman writing. Transfer students should transfer in with a freshman writing course. Students who do not transfer in with a writing course or are not exempt via an external exam (AP, IB, GCE, A-levels, etc.) will be placed into the two semester writing sequence. Please note the TOFEL and/or IELTS exam is not a writing placement test.
3-What is the upper division writing exam and when am I required to take it?
The UDWPE is an exam that all students were required to attempt by the semester in which they completed 75 units. The UDWPE requirement is temporarily suspended. Until the campus is able to offer the UDWPE exam, the upper division writing requirement can be fulfilled by earning a "C" or higher in 6 units of upper division GE. See the UDWPE webpage for more information.
Immigration
1-How do I obtain my I-20?
The office of International Admissions distributes the initial I-20, once you transfer your sevis records. For questions regarding your initial I-20 please contact International Admissions.
2-Who do I contact regarding immigration issues (visa concerns, work request, concurrent enrollment, etc.)
Your foreign student advisor in the International and Exchange Student Center (IESC) is responsible for enforcing immigration requirements. To contact your foreign student advisor, visit IESC About Us.
3-My sponsor/embassy/cultural mission requires that I submit a study plan before paying my tuition. How can I obtain a study plan?
You should obtain a Study Plan form (if required) from your sponsor and fill it out to the best of your ability, you can use the Degree Road Maps as a guide to help you plan your courses for graduation. You can then request a letter from Admissions & Records to confirm the accuracy of your plan and add any additional information you may need. To request this letter please fill out the Letter Request Form and submit it (with your study plan if applicable) to International Admissions in Bayramian Hall (BH 160) or email it to intladm@csun.edu. Once submitted, the Letter Request process takes approximately 10 business days to complete.
Technology
1-I cannot access myNorthridge Portal or CSUN Gmail Account. What do I do?
If you have any technology issues related to your portal or email you can chat with CSUN’s Helpdesk, or you can call 818-677-1400. Students can also visit the CSUN Information Technology website for further assistance.
2-I have been enrolled in classes, but do not see my instructors course on Canvas. What do I do?
Canvas must be activate/published by your instructor. If by the first day of class you still do not see your course on Canvas please email your instructor. Instructor emails can be found by searching for their name in the CSUN directory. For classes added after the semester has begun you will also need to request that the instructor add you to their canvas page.
3-I requested to drop a class, however the class still shows in Canvas. What do I do?
Canvas is a tool that instructors can use to upload course materials, however Canvas does not reflect your official schedule. Your official schedule can be found in your CSUN portal on the "academics" tab. As long as you have confirmed with your academic advisor that the class(es) have been dropped and are no longer listed in your portal, you can disregard the old course(s) on canvas.
4-I am having issues accessing Zoom from my country what should I do?
If you are having trouble accessing Zoom you can email the Information Technology office to see if they can provide support/recommendations.
International students will be able to enroll themselves for the second semester, however before enrolling students must meet with an academic advisor.
Freshman Students (0-29 units)
First- time freshmen will schedule their 2nd semester advisement appointment with their International Academic Advisor in the Matador Advising Hub. Beginning week 5 students will receive a notification via the phone and to their CSUN email (ending in @my.csun.edu) requesting that they contact The Hub to schedule an appointment. Currently the Hub is offering both in person and virtual appointments
In preparation for their advisement appointment 2nd semester freshmen are encouraged to review the The Hub-International Canvas page.
Transfer Students (30-90+ units)
First-time transfers will be asked to attend a virtual Pre-Second Semester Success (PreSSS) workshop during weeks 5-7, which will help prepare them to meet with their college or major department advisor. Students will be sent an email with instructions and tips for 2nd semester registration.
