Applicant Classification
Golden Gate University welcomes applications from around the world. For the purpose of distinguishing domestic from international students, applicant classification is determined as follows:
- Domestic applicants: Individuals who indicate on their application that they are U.S citizens, U.S Permanent residents (Green card holders), asylees, or refugees.
- International applicants: Individuals who indicate they are not U.S citizens or U.S permanent residents. This includes applicants who will require a visa to enter the United States.
- Applicants who will come to the U.S with the primary intention of enrolling in an academic program need an F-1 (student) visa.
- Applicants residing in the U.S under pre-existing visa categories may be eligible to enroll in a program without changing their visa status.
- Prospective students are encouraged to review the official guidelines provided by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to determine their eligibility to study based on their current or intended visa type.
Students enrolled exclusively in online programs from their home country will be determined by citizenship. Any questions about classification or eligibility can be directed to internationaladmit@ggu.edu.
How to Apply
Applicants should use the online application portal to submit all required documents and accept or decline their offer of admission. Emailed application documents will not be accepted. Official transcripts and test scores are preferred to be received electronically at documents@ggu.edu. International students can submit official transcripts and test scores electronically to internationaladmit@ggu.edu. Physical documents can be sent to: Golden Gate University, 536 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94105. For help with questions about the application process, applicants may contact their enrollment advisor.
Admission Process
At Golden Gate University, you are more than a transcript. Professional achievements, personal growth, and determination are the qualities that define successful GGU students. Traditional barriers to admission fail to capture the value of your life experiences. Our admissions process makes it simple to enroll, so you can focus on proving your readiness while you earn credit toward your degree.
Our goal is simple: to recognize potential wherever it appears and welcome students who have truly earned their opportunity to move forward. That’s why GGU does not require a minimum GPA for undergraduate or graduate programs. Instead, we focus on the effort, persistence, and real-world experience that show you’re ready for the next step in your education.
Application Documents for Domestic Applicants
Applicants may be admitted under Subject to Documentation hold based on unofficial transcripts. Official transcripts and GGU forms must be submitted no later than three weeks after enrollment. Failure to comply may result in a registration hold for the second semester. (Please note: All application materials become the property of the university and cannot be returned. Acceptance of documents is the sole discretion of the admissions personnel.)
- Online application
- Official Academic Transcripts:
- Unofficial transcripts may be used for admissions decisions. Students admitted with unofficial transcripts will have a Subject to Documentation hold. Official transcripts must be received no later than the end of the first semester.
- Graduate applicants must list and provide the degree-granting undergraduate institution in their application. The transcript must clearly state that a bachelor’s degree or an industry standard equivalent has been conferred.
- Undergraduate applicants who are enrolled in their last semester of high school may apply and be admitted with Subject to Documentation status but must have a verification letter attesting that they have one semester remaining sent directly from the university registrar or controller of examinations to documents@ggu.edu.
- English Language Proficiency:
- Applicants whose first (native) language is not English must satisfy the English Language Proficiency Admission Requirement . English language proficiency test score reports must be sent directly from the testing service office to the Office of Enrollment Services.
- English language proficiency scores should not exceed 2 years from the date in which the assessment was completed.
- GGU Admissions Enrollment Agreement Form:
- All students, both domestic and international, are required to sign the GGU Admissions Enrollment Agreement form.
- Commitment Fee
- Admitted students are required to submit a non-refundable $250 commitment fee. Commitment fee will be credited towards the student’s first term tuition once enrolled.
- Students enrolled in the Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology must sign the GGU Attestation Form.
Application Documents for International Applicants
Applicants may be admitted under Subject to Documentation hold based on unofficial transcripts. Official transcripts and GGU forms must be submitted no later than three weeks after enrollment. Failure to comply may result in a registration hold for the second semester. All application materials become the property of the university and cannot be returned. Acceptance of documents is the sole discretion of the admissions personnel.
- Online application
- Official Academic Transcripts:
- Applicants must submit transcripts from all institutions as listed on their online application.
- Official transcripts must be sent directly from the institution to the Office of International Admissions. If sent by mail, the official transcript must originate from the school (for undergraduate applicants), university registrar, or controller of examinations in an envelope sealed by the institution.
- Alternatively, official transcripts can be sent to internationaladmit@ggu.edu via the institution’s official platform, preferably Parchment or Clearinghouse. Applicants graduated from universities outside of the US may send official transcripts through the institution’s official platform or directly to internationaladmit@ggu.edu from the official email address of the University Registrar or Controller’s office.
Undergraduate International Applicants
- Must be at least 20 years old and have completed the equivalent of a US associate of arts degree (60 units) or 60 units of undergraduate-level credits.
Graduate International Applicants
- Graduates of U.S. colleges or universities who are applying for admission to graduate degree programs must have a bachelor’s or higher-level degree from a regionally accredited college or university. International applicants who graduated from accredited colleges or universities outside the United States must have degrees that are equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree or higher.
- GGU reserves the right to request transcript evaluation through approved credential evaluation services, attestation from the Department/Ministry of Education or higher education commission/authority in the country where transcript was issued, or any additional documents depending on the requirements for each country. Options for credential evaluations are as follows:
- English Language Proficiency:
- Applicants whose first (native) language is not English must satisfy the English Language Proficiency Admission Requirement . English language proficiency test score reports must be sent directly from the testing service office to the Office of Enrollment Services.
- English language proficiency scores should not exceed 2 years from the date in which the assessment was completed.
- GGU Admissions Enrollment Agreement Form:
All students, both domestic and international, are required to sign the GGU Admissions Enrollment Agreement form.
- Students enrolled in the Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology must sign the GGU Attestation and Consent Forms.
- Commitment Fee
- Admitted students are required to submit a non-refundable $250 commitment fee. Commitment fee will be credited towards the student’s first term tuition once enrolled.
- Students who request deferral should refer to the “Deferral Exception Appeal” section for additional details. Commitment fee will be forfeited either one (1) year after the payment date or after two (2) consecutive deferrals.
International applicants seeking to study in the U.S. on an F-1 student visa or J-1 scholar visa will also need:
- Copy of Passport
- Certificate of Finance Form
- Fill out the Certificate of Finance Form and upload it to the applicant portal.
- Sponsor(s) and students must provide a wet signature in the sponsor agreement section.
- The funding will be calculated for nine (9) months, not for the whole program. Thus, the amount of GGU scholarship (if any) will be reflected differently in the I-20 than the amount listed in the scholarship letter.
- Financial Documentation - submit at least one of the following acceptable documents:
- Bank Letter(s)
- Bank Statements (Only for US bank account or when requested)
- Loan Letter(s)
- Scholarship Letters (individual, government, employer/company, school, or institution/organization)
Financial documents that demonstrate proof of funding must:
- Be in English or be accompanied by a certified English translation
- Be on official bank/financial institution letterhead, with bank stamp or bank officer’s signature
- Show at least minimum funding required for one academic year and type of currency
- Include the account holder’s name (if account is not in student’s name, then name on financial document must match name of sponsor in Sponsor Agreement section of the Certificate of Finances Form)
Financial documents must be less than one-year old at the time of I-20 application
Golden Gate University reserves the right to request additional financial documents and/or deny the issuance of a Form I-20 if there is reasonable concern regarding the authenticity of submitted materials. Students whose documents deemed by GGU as fraudulent, altered, plagiarized, or produced using generative AI technologies will have their admission revoked and may result in permanent ban from future application. Commitment fee will not be refunded in such cases.
- For students transferring from universities in the US: Transfer-In form
- Part 1 will be filled by the student.
- Part 2 will be filled by the DSO from the universities the student is transferring from.
- GGU School code: SFR214F00623000
- GGU will issue the I-20 form after all financial documents are satisfied and SEVIS record has been transferred over to GGU.
* F-1/J-1 students are assessed the $275 international student fee per academic period.
** International applicants planning to study in the U.S. using an F or J visa are not eligible to apply for open enrollment status or certificate programs.
International Application Deadlines
The application deadlines found below are due by 11:59 pm PT and are applicable to all applicants. Late applications will not be accepted.
| |
2025 Fall Term: 09/07/2025
|
2026 Spring Term: 01/11/2026
|
2026 Summer Term: 05/10/2026 |
2026 Fall Term: 09/06/2026 |
2027 Spring Term: 01/10/2027 |
|
Final International Application Completion Deadline (includes study abroad)
|
07/06/2025 |
12/21/2025 |
03/08/2026 |
07/05/2026 |
12/20/2026 |
|
Commitment Fee Deadline
|
07/20/2025 |
01/02/2026 |
03/22/2026 |
07/19/2026 |
01/01/2027 |
|
Last Day for Initial I-20 Issuance
|
08/10/2025 |
01/04/2026 |
04/12/2026 |
08/09/2026 |
01/03/2027 |
|
Final International Transfer-in/Beacon/upGrad (non-study abroad) Application Deadline
|
08/24/2025 |
01/04/2026 |
04/26/2026 |
08/23/2026 |
01/03/2027 |
|
Final International Transfer-in/Beacon/upGrad (non-study abroad) Acceptance Deadline
|
08/31/2025 |
01/05/2026 |
05/03/2026 |
08/30/2026 |
01/04/2027 |
|
Official Transcript & Test Score Deadline
|
09/27/2025 |
01/31/2026 |
05/30/2026 |
09/26/2026 |
01/30/2027 |
Enrollment Eligibility Restrictions
All applicants, both domestic and international, are encouraged to review the state authorization list , as GGU is not authorized to offer online instruction and/or internships/practicums in all states. Any applicant residing in a state that is not authorized at the time of their application is not eligible to be admitted.
Minor Applicants (under 18 years of age)
GGU requires minor applicants (those under the age of 18) to submit written and signed consent of their parent or legal guardian to be admitted to the university and to enroll in courses. If it is learned that this requirement was not fulfilled, the student’s admission may be rescinded at any time. GGU does not assume parental responsibilities for these students and does not supervise or care for the personal needs of its students, including any special needs, of those who are under the age of 18. Domestic applicants must be at least 15 years old at the time of the application submission if they intend on applying to a campus (face-to-face) based program. International applicants must be at least 20 years old and have completed the equivalent of a US associate of arts degree (60 units) or 60 units of undergraduate-level credits at the time of application submission.
|
