International Students

College of Western Idaho (CWI) is eager to be a destination for students from across the globe! Our One Stop Student Services team and International Student Advisors are here to help from the time you inquire about our institution, through the visa process, and beyond.

Get started by applying for admission and completing the steps outlined below.
Not sure which degree or certificate you would like to pursue? CWI offers a variety of programs and hands-on training opportunities to help you reach your goals, transfer on, or prepare you with the skills needed for a successful career.

Explore Your Options

International Student Admission Process

The International Student Admission Deadline is July 7, 2025, for Fall 2025 semester. There is not a summer start option.

1. Complete the FREE Admission Application
Apply to CWI

International students must be 18 or older to apply.

The International Student Admission Deadline is July 7, 2025, for Fall 2025 semester.

View the Academic Calendar additional dates and deadlines.

The admission application should take approximately 10 minutes to complete.

Creating a password for your account will enable you to return to your application at any time to complete.

Once your application has been submitted, be sure to add onestop@cwi.edu as a contact to ensure you are receiving important communication from the College.
2. Submit Transcripts
International students seeking a degree or certificate are required to submit official high school transcripts as part of the admission process.

Official high school transcripts must be:

translated by a translation service to English or Spanish

Students who would like to transfer college credit must:

Obtain evaluation from an approved evaluation service
3. Verify English Proficiency
Classes at CWI are taught in English. As such, international students must demonstrate appropriate levels of English proficiency in order to be admitted to a degree program.

Accepted English Proficiency Exams:

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) – minimum overall score of 5.0

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) – minimum score of 500 on paper-based test (PBT) or 61 on internet-based test (IBT)

Duolingo English Test – minimum score of 90

All English proficiency tests must be officially received by CWI. Students must have the results sent to CWI through the testing website.

Part of the admissions process also requires students to verify their English skill level through placement testing. See Step 5 below to learn more.
4. Provide Additional Documentation
As an international student, additional documentation will be required of you during the admissions process including:

color copy of your current passport

international student questionnaire

financial documentation, including a bank statement that is less than six (6) months old from the date of your semester start in U.S. dollars.

If you are transferring from another postsecondary institution within the U.S., please complete an International Student Transfer Form. The form should be signed by a representative from said institution.

Review Cost of Attendance

International students are not eligible for financial aid or Work Study.
As CWI does not have on- or off-campus housing for students, please secure housing prior to arriving in Idaho.

Type	Academic Year*
Tuition and Fees for Full-Time Enrollment (minimum 12 credits)	$7,399 (For 12 credits per semester) $306.00/per credit over 12 credits
Food and Housing**	$8,557
Books, Course Materials, Supplies and Equipment	$1,518
Personal Expenditures**	$3,614
Transportation**	$1,993
Estimated Total ***	$23,081

*Estimated costs are for a full-time, undergraduate, international student taking at least 12 credits each semester.
**Food and Housing, Transportation, and Personal Expenditures may vary depending on circumstances.
***For each dependent issued a F-2 Visa, there will be an additional $1,000 added to the required amount.

6. Verify Academic Skill Level

All incoming, international students must take the CWI Write Class Placement (WCP) and place into a college level English course unless they have previous English credit from a U.S. college. Math Placement may be completed once you arrive in Idaho.

CWI's Principal Designated School Official (PDSO) will contact you with further placement information.
7. Obtain Student Visa
Once you have completed all the steps for admission and are officially accepted as a student, CWI will issue you a Certificate of Eligibility (I-20) proving you are legally enrolled in a program or are a student in the United States. Your I-20 will allow you to apply for an F-1 student visa through the American Consulate.

Once all your required documents have been received and processed, your I-20 will be available within 7 business days.

Your Designated School Official (DSO) at CWI will contact you to arrange for your I-20 to be sent to you or picked up.

If you are an international student transferring from another college or university in the United States, your I-20 must be sent electronically directly from the institution through the Student and Visitor Exchange Information System (SEVIS).

For any questions or concerns regarding your I-20 or student visa, please contact internationalservices@cwi.edu.
8. Preview Next Steps
Once officially admitted as a student, your first step will be to complete New Student Orientation.

Following Orientation, please contact the PDSO to complete:

International New Student Orientation through Blackboard,

And to request a video conference to help with course registration.

Student Checklist for Success