Common Questions

Our campus is located in Thousand Oaks, California. Twenty miles from the Pacific Ocean, Thousand Oaks sits at the feet of the ruggedly beautiful Santa Monica Mountains, yet is less than an hour's drive from the cultural and career opportunities offered by Los Angeles. Learn more about our location in southern California.

There is a public bus in Thousand Oaks called the T.O.T. (Thousand Oaks Transit), which makes a loop around town from campus to various shopping areas. Some students choose to buy a car but, since this is very expensive, many students use a bicycle instead. You may wish to consider buying a bike, either new or used. Otherwise, the best way to get around is to ask a friend who has a car to take you.

No. We embrace learners of all faith backgrounds and encourages wide-ranging critical inquiry into matters of both faith and reason, all in pursuit of the goal of educating leaders for a global society.

To get started, check out How to Apply. You may also begin applying through the Common Application form at www.commonapp.org.

Unfortunately we are not able to review your information until we have received a complete application. We base our admissions decision on more than grades alone so we review a complete file before making any admissions decisions.

No, all application materials do not need to be submitted at the same time. We will collect them as they are submitted but we cannot make a decision until our office has received all documents.

No. You must submit original copies of transcripts. If they are not in English, the original transcripts must be accompanied by a certified translation.

If English is not your native or primary language, you need to provide an English proficiency test score or evidence of academic English instruction. Please see Admission Requirements for International Students for more information and to find out what the minimum scores required.

If you are attending a U.S. high school, you may be eligible for a waiver. Please contact the undergraduate Office of Admission. 

CLU is Test-Optional which means it is your decision if you want to take the SAT/ACT, and your decision if want to submit them to CLU for review. If you choose to apply without the SAT/ACT you will still be eligible for admission and for scholarship consideration. A short interview with an admission counselor may be required if you apply test-optional. 

Our identification codes are SAT: 4088, ACT: 0183.

Qualified International students will be automatically considered for academic scholarships upon admission, regardless of financial need. Academic scholarships are based on test scores and GPA (for freshmen) and GPA of transferable units for transfer applicants.

Cal Lutheran also offers limited need-based financial aid. Need-based scholarships range between a few thousand up to $7,000. While we strive to be as generous as possible with financial aid for international students, full tuition scholarships are not available. Students should not apply for admission unless they can realistically pay the fees associated with the cost of tuition, room, and board. To learn more about financial aid and scholarships, please visit the Financial Aid website.

We offer a wide variety of services to International Students through the Office of International Students and Scholars including International Student Orientation for new students, advisement and F-1 student visa support, and a number of student activities and programs. In addition to services and activities that are specifically for International students, our students have access to an abundance of academic and social support and a wide variety of social activities that happen throughout each academic year.

All students in F-1 (student) status are eligible to work up to 20 hours per week on campus. However, work is not guaranteed. Most students who have a job on campus work between 8 and 10 hours per week. International students must wait 1-2 months until all U.S. work-study students have received on- campus jobs. Immigration regulations allow international students to work off campus, but only in very special circumstances and only with prior authorization. The regulations will be explained during the International Student Orientation. You should not depend on obtaining off-campus employment. Any income earned should be considered extra pocket money to go toward incidental expenses. Come prepared to meet all expenses, including personal living expenses.