International Student/Non-immigrant Admission Requirements

Minot State University welcomes applications from international students. Admission is determined by a selective process that includes consideration of English language proficiency, academic achievements, financial resources, and student visa eligibility. For information regarding Admission to specific graduate programs, please refer to the graduate catalog or contact the Minot State University Graduate School at www. minotstateu.edu/graduate or 1-800-777-0750 (Ext. 3250).

Prospective international freshmen and transfer students may apply online at: www.minotstateu.edu/secure_pages/ enrollment/application.shtml. Once the online application is submitted, the following supporting documentation must also be sent to the Office of International Programs (500 University Ave. West, Minot ND, 58701, USA) by the appropriate deadline:

• Affidavit of Support
• Declaration of Finances
• Proof of English Language Proficiency
• Official Records Demonstrating Prior Academic Achievement
• International Transfer Student Form (if applicable)
• A $35 non-refundable application fee

Deadlines for Admission
Fall semester: May 1 for application and fees; June 30 for supporting documentation. Spring semester: October 1 for application and fees; November 30 for supporting documentation.

First-Year International Students (freshman)
A student is considered a freshman if he/she has not enrolled in any university or college courses after completing high school.

Transfer International Students
A student is considered a transfer international student if he/she has completed any post-secondary course work after completing high school. Transfer students should follow the admission’s procedures described for international freshman applicants, but must also submit the following

• Official or certified copies of all transcripts, marks’ sheets and/or certificates of completion for post-secondary course work. Transcripts must be official, submitted in original language and in a certified literal English translation
• The International Student Transfer form completed by the applicant and the applicant’s present or most recent international student advisor (if transferring from an institution inside the United States).

Applicants should arrange to have transcripts sent directly from all institutions previously attended to the Office of International Programs. Undergraduate students transferring from another U.S. college or university should have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.

Credit Transfer
Post-secondary course work completed prior to attending MSU is subject to review and approval by the department of the student’s chosen major and the Registrar’s Office. Evaluation of transfer credit normally will not be complete until the applicant has arrived on campus and has enrolled for coursework. Applicants seeking transfer credits for higher education work completed outside the United States may be asked to bring with them a detailed syllabus for each course, and they must be prepared to provide a full description of prior course work to their academic advisor to facilitate the evaluation of transfer credits.

English-Language Proficiency
Students whose native language is not English are required to provide evidence that their English proficiency is sufficient to enable academic success at MSU. Evidence of English language proficiency is provided by submitting a score report from a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination taken less than two years prior to the date of application. Minimum accepted undergraduate TOEFL scores are 525 for the paperbased exam, 195 for the computer-based exam and 70 for the internet-based exam. Other English language proficiency test scores (such as MELAB or IELTS) might also be considered. Please contact the Office of International Programs for further information regarding other proficiency exams accepted for admission.

If you would like additional information regarding the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination, please contact the testing agency directly:

TOEFL- Educational Testing Service
PO Box 899
Princeton, NJ 08541-6151 USA
From the U.S. and Canada: 1-877-863-3546
Outside the U.S. and Canada: 1-609-771-7100
www.ets.org

Academic Achievement
Applicants should have completed their secondary education and obtained their high school diploma or school-leaving certificate. Minot State University will review all secondary and university-level course work (if applicable) for academic rigor and trends in academic performance.

Applicants are required to submit an original or certified copy of official academic records from all secondary schools and all colleges, universities and professional schools attended. The academic records must show all marks or grades received in each subject for each school year and any certificates, diplomas or degrees awarded, including all subjects passed and grades or marks earned on government or university examinations. All academic records and supporting documents must be official. If only one original is available, an attested or certified copy may be submitted. If a record is not in English, a certified literal English translation must accompany the official transcript. If only one original record is available, the appropriate school authority that issues the original academic record should make a photocopy of the applicant’s papers and certify that it is a true copy by placing the institution’s stamp or seal and the official’s signature on the photocopy. Copies of foreign transcripts issued by one institution but certified by another institution will not be accepted.

Financial Support
International students are not eligible for U.S. federal or state need-based financial assistance. Therefore, certification of adequate financial support to meet the needs during the period of enrollment at MSU is required of all international nonimmigrant applicants. Admission will be granted when proof of funds has been submitted. Failure to submit supporting documents will delay admission and the issuance of the appropriate immigration forms. The student must be prepared to document on a yearly basis the ability to pay the following year’s tuition and fees, as well as the cost of living expenses. To prove sufficient financial resources, international applicants should complete the Affidavit of Support form and submit it with a recent bank statement revealing a current account balance.

International Student Tuition
Canadian students from Manitoba and Saskatchewan pay tuition based on a contiguous rate; Students from other parts of Canada and all other international students pay nonresident tuition and fees. More detailed information regarding tuition rates can be found on the MSU website at: www.minotstateu.edu/enroll

Tuition and fees for all students are due at the beginning of each semester and must be paid in full at the Business Office within the first 12 class days of the semester. Students who do not pay their tuition and fees in full on or prior to the 12th day of classes are administratively withdrawn from their classes. Minot State University grants a limited number of partial tuition waivers to international students who demonstrate high academic potential. In order to continue to receive the tuition waiver beyond the first year, students must maintain good academic standing (2.50 minimum GPA), stay in status with the F-1 visa regulations, and demonstrate satisfactory progress toward their declared degree. The Minot State University Financial Aid Office offers a variety of scholarships and awards, some of which international students may be eligible. Further information can be found on the Financial Aid Office website: www.minotstateu.edu/ finaid.

Please note that tuition and waiver policies are subject to change or suspension without advance notice by action of either Minot State University or the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education.

Mandatory International Student Fee
Please check with the Office of International Programs regarding any International Student fees.

Mandatory Health Insurance
The North Dakota State Board of Higher Education requires all students who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States or Canada to demonstrate health insurance coverage for themselves and their accompanying dependents. The state of North Dakota recommends a specific insurance policy that meets the minimum coverage and benefits specifications required. The fee for health insurance for one year must be paid upon arrival and at the beginning of each subsequent year and will be added to the student’s university account. Students who demonstrate proof of coverage under a comparable insurance policy with a different U.S. vendor or from a country with mandatory health insurance plans may request an exemption to this requirement. All exemptions will be handled through a waiver process through the Office of International Programs.

Canadian students are exempt from the mandatory insurance requirement. However, be advised that Canadian provincial insurance may be inadequate in the case of emergencies. Canadian students should consider buying supplemental insurance with a private provider.

Immunization Requirements
The state of North Dakota requires proof of immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella prior to registration for courses. Students should send copies of their immunization records to the Office of International Programs prior to arrival.

Tuberculosis (TB) screening is also required of all international students and must be completed after arrival on U.S. soil, but prior to the first day of class. Students who fail to meet these requirements will have a "hold" placed on their institutional profile and account, and will not be allowed to register for courses.

Student Visa Status
Minot State University is authorized by the U.S. government to issue SEVIS Forms I-20 to assist non-immigrants to apply for F-1 visas. The Office of International Programs will issue I-20s to international students who meet all of the entrance requirements.

Information about international students in the U.S. is tracked using the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Students are assigned a SEVIS ID number which is located on the upper right hand corner of the I-20. The ID number begins with an N and has 10 digits. Students are required by Congress to pay for this tracking system, and this SEVIS fee is an additional fee, not to be confused with the visa application fee. All new students must pay the SEVIS fee after receiving the I-20 form from Minot State University, but prior to visiting the U.S. consulate for their F-1 visa interview. Students from Canada, who do not require a visa, must pay the SEVIS fee before their first entry to the U.S. and will be asked for a copy of the receipt at the port of entry. To pay the SEVIS fee, go to the following website: www.fmjfee.com/index.jhtml.

American government regulations allow students to enter the U.S. only within 30 days of the start date indicated on the I-20 form. MSU campus housing is not available until just before the start of school, so if you arrive early you are responsible for your own accommodation. New and transfer international students are required to attend a welcome orientation specifically for international students at the beginning of their first semester at Minot State University. This orientation is in addition to the general MSU new student orientation (CONNECT) and is held a few days prior to the start of classes.

The I-20 form is first endorsed by a Minot State University’s Office of International Programs at the time it is issued and then must be re-endorsed at the end of each semester. These signatures confirm full-time student status and enable F-1 students and their dependents to enter and leave the country. International students planning to travel outside of the U.S. during their entire length of study at Minot State University must bring their I-20 form to Office of International Programs for verification and signature renewal at least 24 hours prior to travel.

Students must be making satisfactory academic progress toward their major field of study in order to have their I-20 form endorsed each semester. "Academic progress" means that the student must be taking course work that satisfies the declared degree requirements and maintain a satisfactory grade point average. Students who fail to meet these requirements will not be eligible to have their I-20 form re-endorsed.