Transfer Applicants from Universities Outside the U.S.

Both Secondary and Post-Secondary transcripts will be used to determine general admissibility. A student's overall academic performance will be taken into consideration. Students whose post-secondary transcripts fail to show a satisfactory performance on the college level may be considered if their secondary transcripts were of outstanding caliber.

Transfer Credit

International students who have been accepted to Minnesota State University Moorhead who wish to transfer credit from colleges or universities outside the United States must provide Minnesota State University Moorhead with a course-by-course evaluation from Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc at www.ECE.org or World Education Services at www.wes.org. The costs of the evaluation will be paid by the student. This process should be started as soon as the student receives his or her visa.

If a student has already completed a course-by-course evaluation from another National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member, he or she can submit this evaluation to the MSUM Records Office.

If the credit evaluation is not done during the application process, students will be admitted as transfer students and will be given 3 years for a program length on their I-20. Class standing will be determined once MSUM has received the credit evaluation. Students should be aware that failure to submit an credit evaluation in a timely manner could have a negative impact on their academic advising. The sooner a credit evaluation has been completed, the sooner your advisor will have a proper understanding of what courses will transfer to MSUM and how those courses will be applied to your degree.

We encourage you to complete the credit evaluation before you arrive. Comprehensive Course-by-Course Report can cost students between $135-$185. 

Transfer Applicants from U.S. Colleges and Universities

International students in this category must meet the same criteria as our U.S. Transfer Students. Students must have an accumulative Grade Point Average of 2.0 or higher. Students who have earned less then 24 credits will need to supply us with official secondary transcripts. Courses that are not considered "college level" courses (such as English as a Second Language) will not be included in the accumulative GPA when determining admissibility.

Students transferring from a U.S. college who also possess credits from an institution outside the U.S. will need to follow the credit evaluation guidelines outlined in the section above.

All undergraduate international students must submit the following information to be considered for admission:

• Completed application
• $20 application fee payable in U.S. dollars
• TOEFL score of 500 or better on paper-based test, 173 or better on computer test or 61 or better on the IBT, OR evidence of successful completion of ELS Language Centers level 109, OR official IELTS score of 5.5 or better
• All official secondary or college transcripts: students must provide Minnesota State University Moorhead academic records of every secondary and post-secondary institution he/she has attended. Records must be certified true copies or notarized photo copies.
• International students who have been accepted to Minnesota State University Moorhead who wish to transfer credit from colleges or universities outside the United States must provide Minnesota State University Moorhead with a course-by-course evaluation.
• Financial Statement and supporting bank statements or letters from bank verifying funds
• Transfer Form for students transferring from a U.S. institution only

We strongly recommend students receive their acceptance packets via express mail (FedEx or DHL). If you wish to receive your documents via express mail, please go to https://study.eshipglobal.com/home/?q=s. Register and activate an account, prepare a shipment request, pay the mailing cost online and eShipGlobal will route the request to MSUM. You will receive the acceptance packet approximately 3-5 business days from the date of mailing. This must be done within 3 days of acceptance into MSUM.

(MSUM TOEFL institutional code is 6678)

Deadlines

• June 15th for starting Fall Semester (August)
• November 15th for starting Spring Semester (January)

We accept the entire application, high school certificates, bank statements, and other supporting documents via e-mail (clear scanned copy). But if you are attending a U.S. university/college, all official transcripts MUST be sent to us directly from the institution. All other documents can be sent via scan/e-mail or fax to save time. However, you must always keep the original or certified documents with you in case we need you to send us the official/certified documents. You will also need the official/certified documents to present at the U.S. visa interview.

Visa

Visa is an entry permit that allows you to enter the U.S. You will receive a U.S. visa valid for 1-5 years. Your visa can expire as long as your immigration document (i.e. I-20/DS-2019) is valid. You will need to consult your country's local U.S. Embassy for more information on how to apply for a U.S. F-1/J-1 visa. Visa application times may vary from country to country. Please consult your local embassy ahead of time for your visa application. If you are in the process of obtaining your F-1 or J-1 visa, the following websites maybe of help to you as you prepare for your visit to the U.S.Embassy/Consulate:

U.S. Embassies, Consulates, and Diplomatic Missions

Visa Wait Times according to your country of Citizenship

U.S. Department of State 

SEVIS Fee

Those who wish to enter the United States either as a student or an exchange visitor with a Form I-20 or DS-2019 must pay the SEVIS fee of $180 (for J-1) and $200 (for F-1) before you visit the U.S. consular for an interview. Spouses and dependents of F-1/J-1 (F-2/J-2) will not pay this fee. Please visit the SEVIS website for more information. To learn more about the SEVIS fee or to submit your payment of the SEVIS fee, please visit the SEVIS I-901 fee processing website.

Entering the U.S.

The visa issued by the consulate does not guarantee entry to the U.S. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has authority to deny admissions at the port of entry, therefore, please have all your documents in order when you arrive to the U.S. Prior departing from the airplane, the flight attendant will pass out a white-colored form called I-94 Arrival/Departure Record. You will need to fill-out all the pertinent information regarding your arrival in the U.S. At the port of entry, a DHS/CBP officer inspector will review the I-94 and your travel documents, ask a few questions and then stamp your passport, I-20/DS-2019 and the I-94 to indicate the entry date, location and non-immigrant classification and the length of your stay in the U.S. The I-94 arrival/departure record will at most times be stapled to your passport. Keep all of these documents in a safe place!

If you were to lose the I-94 at anytime, to replace your card will cost you $320, a lot of paper-work and you will not be eligible to apply for work authorization as an international student. Once you apply for a replacement I-94, it can take up to 6 months to receive the replacement card.

Important Information:

• Canadian students do not need visa stamps to enter the U.S., but they must present the Form I-20 or DS-2019 at the port of entry to be properly classified as a non-immigrant student status.
• Students who are eligible to enter the U.S. under the visa waiver program should not choose this travel option. Please apply for the appropriate student visa.
• Students are not allowed to enter the U.S. 30 days prior to the start date of their I-20 or DS-2019.

Students Already in the U.S.

If you are a student who is already in the U.S. on an F-1 student visa, you will need to have your documents processed by International Student Services upon your arrival at Minnesota State University Moorhead. If you are J-1 and you want to transfer or change to F-1, please contact International Student Services at MSUM and your current institution international student adviser. For F-1 students: Once you are admitted to MSUM, you will need to contact your current institution's international student office and request them to release your SEVIS information to MSUM. This is an easy process. We will hold your I-20 until you arrive at MSUM. If you are planning to leave the U.S. before arriving at MSUM, you need to arrive to the U.S. with MSUM's I-20. In this case, please plan your travel and admissions accordingly. For more information, contact International Student Services.

U.S. Customs

On the airplane you will be given a white card (I-94) and a U.S. Custom Declaration Form to complete before you land at your first U.S. destination. This is a customs card to complete and submit saying what you have in your luggage. After you go through the immigration/documentation inspection (Port of Entry) you will need to collect your luggage. Even though your luggage will go to the final destination, you will need to pull your luggage and go through customs. You will then take your luggage and the Custom Declaration Form to a U.S. Customs Officer. You will be asked to declare to a U.S. Customs Inspector what you have brought into the U.S. You may have to open your luggage to Customs Officers before it goes through the scanning machines. Customs Officers will also ask from you verbally what you have in your luggage. You can bring in anything for your personal use without paying duty. Quantity limitations are placed on alcoholic beverages (must be over 21 and 1 liter), Cigarettes (1 carton), Cigars (100) and smoking tobacco (2 kilograms). A total of $400 worth of gifts may be brought in duty free every six months. Any value over $400 will be assessed duty. Please visit the Customs and Border Protection website for more information.

Any amount of money may be brought into the U.S. without paying duty, however, you must declare any amount over $10,000. Certain articles may not be brought into the U.S. including meats, vegetables, lottery tickets, drugs without a prescription, articles made from endangered species, pornographic materials, copy written DVDs/CDs and switchable knives. Food items that are canned or otherwise processed or sealed food are acceptable. For more information contact your local U.S. Consular or visit the Customs Clearing at CBP website.

Arriving at Fargo-Moorhead

Minnesota State University Moorhead is easily accessible from Hector International Airport (Airport Code: FAR) located in Fargo, North Dakota. This airport is 5 miles away from MSUM. If you fly into Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport (Airport Code: MSP), please note that you have another 4-6 hour bus or car drive to Moorhead or a 45 minute airplane ride to reach Moorhead. Taxis from Hector International Airport to MSUM are about $20. Doyle Cab has a free phone located in front of the public phones. Just pick the receiver and tell them you need a taxi. Be sure to inform the driver that you want to go to Moorhead via town (this is must cheaper than taking the freeway).

Transportation assistance is also available through International Student Services to pick you up from the Fargo Hector International Airport or the bus/train station in Fargo, North Dakota. You must provide complete arrival information at least 24 hours prior to your departure from your home country. Please fill out the arrival form as soon as you confirm your airline ticket. Our airport pick-up phone number is 1-218-790-1325.

If you are living on-campus and if you are checking in to your dorm room early, please email Housing and Residential Life Department at bellefja@mnstate.edu  You will be charged a $15 per night from the day you check-in to your dorm until the move-in day of the semester. The early move-in charged will be added to your semester bill. Remember, you have to sign the housing and residential life contract and pay the $250 deposit in order to check-in to the dorm.

Important contact information if you arrive to MSUM during holidays. MSUM will be closed on the 24th, 25th, 31st of December and 2nd of January. Please check the contact number sheet for more information.

Local Hotels/Motels

If you have not made housing arrangements prior to your departure, there are few hotels and motels close to MSUM. You can inquire if the hotels and motels have special discounts for international students and their families.

Below are a few local hotel/motels:

Red River Inn
(701)-282-9100
$36.99 - $41.99 per night

Super 8 Motel
(218)-233-8880
$33.00 - 39.00 per night

Motel 7
(218)-233-7501
$32.99 - $39.99 per night

Please note: Prices may change without notice. Please call ahead and make your reservations to reserve your room.

On-Campus Housing

On-Campus housing does not open until three days after the International Student Orientation. The Fall 2011 housing move-in date is Wednesday August 17th at 9:00 a.m. If you arrive before (you must to attend International Student Orientation) or evening hours after Housing Office if closed, you may need to stay at a local hotel/motel for the night or weekend. For those of you planning to live on-campus, please contact housing at reslife@mnstate.edu to make arrangements for you to check-in to your housing assignment early than the 10th of August, 2011. You will be charged a $15.00 per night extra until August 17th, 2011.You may not stay on-campus if you are NOT planning to live on-campus from August 2011 to May 2012. In order to reserve your on-campus housing room assignment you need to submit the housing application, housing contract and the $250 deposit. For more information visit the Housing and Residential Life website.

We strongly recommend that you make your accommodation plans before you arrive in the U.S.. If you are not planning to live on-campus you will need to arrange your own housing or check into a local hotel/motel. MSUM is not responsible for off-campus housing.

Off-Campus Housing

International students are not required to live on-campus. If you wish to live off-campus you are more than welcome to do so. MSUM is not responsible for finding off-campus accommodations for our international students. We will help you in providing you with resources on how to find off-campus housing. We strongly encourage students to secure off-campus housing before arriving to Fargo-Moorhead. Renting an apartment at times is difficult if you plan to do so while living abroad. You will be required to sign a contract and pay a deposit before you are able to move-in. You may be able to make special arrangements with the landlord if you contact them directly. If you do not find off-campus housing before you arrive, you will need to check-in to a local hotel/motel until you find housing. Below are a few resources:

Local Apartment Rental Advertisements - Fargo Forum
Goldmark Property Management
Skaff Apartments
Apartment Finder 

Starter Pack Programs

MSUM International Student Services offers a program called the "Starter Pack Program" for our new international students. We know when you are traveling it is very hard to pack everything and limit to one or two suitcases. However, we offer this program to make you feel less stressful when packing. If you wish, we can purchase certain necessary items for you before you arrive at MSUM. This way you will have more space in your suitcases to bring other necessary items, and once you arrive at MSUM you do not have to worry about not having a pillow or blanket, and not worry about doing your shopping right after you arrive after a very long and tiring journey. You can complete the Starter Pack Form online. If you would like a Starter Pack, please e-mail International Student Services to confirm your order.

Money and Payments

All students must make sure the financial arrangements are met before departing your home country. MSUM cannot and does not assume financial responsibilities to international students and their families. While in the U.S., you are responsible for all financial obligations: tuition, health insurance, books, rent, telephone bills, credit card expenses, food, shelter etc., and for all the bills owed to MSUM. This is a serious matter and it is critically important that you maintain your financial matters accordingly, as you will not be able to register or continue courses at MSUM until your MSUM bill is paid in full. Students must pay approximately $1,500 to MSUM within the first 5 days of your arrival. This amount will cover the mandatory health insurance and pre-registration. Once you pay the first $1,500 you can enter into a payment plan from MSUM Business Office.

It is recommended that you have immediate access to at least $5,000 in cashier's or traveler's checks or credit card to cover part of your first semester's immediate expenses at MSUM. If you wish to deposit your money at the MUSM Business Office, the check must be made payable to "Minnesota State University Moorhead". We do not encourage students to carry large sums of cash.

Below are additional recommendations:

• Have travelers checks to cover immediate expenses (books, rent, food, clothes, etc.)
• Bring U.S. currency in small denominations. Approximately a $100-$500 (in $10, $20, $50)
• Purchase a money belt or a neck pouch to carry your valuables like your passport, I-20/DS-2019, cash, checks and credit cards

Math Placement Test

Math placement test is mandatory for all international students. You will not be able to register for math courses without taking the math placement test. International Student Services has certain dates reserved for international students to take the math placement test. Please check the orientation schedule for the math placement test. International Student Services staff will not be able to waive the math placement test requirement. Please check the orientation schedule for more information.

Immunization Record

It is important that you provide immunization records. Please complete the immunization form online or you can submit a paper copy during orientation. The username is your Dragon ID and your password is your date of birth in YYMMDD format. It is compulsory that you provide the following vaccinations: Diphtheria & Tetanus, Measles (rubella, red measles), Mumps, Rubella (German measles). Complete all that applies to you and make sure you have supporting documents when you arrive at MSUM.

Immunization Form

All students must complete the immunization form during orientation or prior to your arrival. Please visit the Hendrix Clinic and Counseling Center to access the appropriate forms and to see a sample of a completed immunization form to understand how to complete the form.

Mandatory Health Screening Test

All international students MUST participate the mandatory health screening test. The health screening test will be administered during the mandatory International Student Orientation. Following the health screening test, a TB test will be made required or optional for students depending on the the results of your health screening test. During Orientation you will be provided all the necessary information. All students (new and transfer) must participate in the Health Screening Test. If you have done medical tests in your home country please bring supporting documents/doctors notes/chest X-rays for MSUM nurses to check. International Student Services and staff will not determine to waive the Health Screening Test. Hendrix Health Center will determine to waive your Health Screening Test and possible other requirements.

This is mandatory. If you do not complete the entire Health Screening Test process, a hold will placed from Hendrix Health Center preventing from future course registrations. For more information on the Health Screening Test,  please visit MN Health Department website.

Weather

Fargo-Moorhead will go through weather extremes during summer and winter. The summer months of June through September can be very warm and humid with temperatures between 20-40 C. The average summer temperature is 36 C, but the humidity can be very high. During winter times November through March the weather can go from -10 C to -20 C. It gets extremely cold. The most difficult cold months are December, January and February.

Clothes

We strongly recommend that students bring clothes for all the four seasons here in Fargo-Moorhead. You will need warm jackets, mittens, scarves, hats, thick socks, ear mittens, insulated coats or jackets with many layers (sweater inside), boots, thermal underwear, etc. And during summer times you should bring shorts, cotton shirts, vests, slippers, t-shirts, etc. We also recommend that you bring a rain coat, rubber boots and a spring jacket (light jacket) as well. You can also buy clothes once you arrive.

Orientation

All international students are required to attend the mandatory International Student Orientation. We will discuss immigration basics, working on campus, registering for courses, plagiarism and much more. We have many fun events and activities planned for you. Visit our Orientation website for more details.

Late Arrival

International students are required to arrive to MSUM on the date listed on your I-20/DS-2019. International students are required to attend the mandatory International Student Orientation. If your arrival date is going to be later than is listed on your I-20/DS-2019 you may need a permissions letter from MSUM to enter the U.S. If you are arriving late (i.e. delay of visa, flight delays, airline busy schedules) please check with International Student Services and request a letter to arrive late (via email) for your records. When you arrive make sure you have the late arrival letter with you at all times.

We recommend that all of our new arriving international students print this webpage and bring along with them when traveling. The pre-arrival handout contains lots of important information. Also remember MSUM International Student Services airport pick-up/orientation phone number 218-790-1325.

In-State Scholarship
All international students will receive an automatic scholarship upon admissions to Minnesota State University Moorhead. If you are a new international student to MSUM, you do not have forms to complete for this. Once you are admitted, the scholarship will be applied to you automatically. This will qualify international students to receive in-state tuition from the very first semester. Students must follow the following scholarship criteria.

For more information pertaining to scholarship criteria, please visit our scholarship page.

Congratulations and welcome to all of our new international students! We are honored that you have decided to attend Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM). All students are required to attend the mandatory orientation for international students. It is critically important that you attend the orientation programs assigned to international students. This is only two days and after completing the International Student Orientation you will be joined with the University orientation program, along with all the new students at MSUM. These programs will introduce you to MSUM's great international community and to those programs and services that may help you with some of the special concerns you have arriving and settling in.

Please note, all new international students MUST attend the orientation and/or check-in with International Student Services the first business day upon your arrival. 

For more information on fall and spring orientation, please visit our orientation page.

MnSCU, which governs the Minnesota Colleges and Universities, has a policy in place which requires all MnSCU F-1 / J-1 International Students to purchase the mandatory Student Health Insurance: Policy 3.4, Procedure 3.4.1, Part 3 International Students: International students must purchase the system-approved student health insurance, except those students whose sponsoring agency or government certifies that the student is covered under a plan provided by the sponsoring agency or government.

For more information, please visit our health insurance page.

Volunteer Hours

The In-state Tuition Scholarship is made available partly through Minnesota tax payers' support. In order for international student to receive the In-state Tuition Scholarship, they must complete a minimum of 10 volunteer hours per semester. The primary goal of the volunteer hours is to enhance on-off-campus cultural sharing and promote diversity within the Fargo-Moorhead community. Through volunteer work, international students can share their ethnic and cultural background while at the same time experiencing local culture in Fargo-Moorhead and the surrounding communities.  

How do the volunteer hours work?

• Complete a minimum of 10 hours of volunteer work per semester.
• Volunteer hours must be completed/earned during Fall or Spring semester
• A minimum of 3 volunteer hours must be at MSU Moorhead on or off-campus event (s)
• Only professional staff and graduate assistants can sign as supervisors not student workers or friends from MSUM, NDSU, Concordia College or any other campus.
• Obtain required signatures on the Volunteer Hour Submissions Form no later than 2 weeks after the event.
• Turn in a fully completed form to International Student Services no later than the Commencement Day of that particular semester by 4:30pm. (Incomplete forms will NOT be considered. NO late submissions.)
• Read all the instructions carefully. Failure to comply with the regulations will result in DENIAL or CANCELLATION of your in-state scholarship.

Volunteer Hour Approval

• Permission to volunteer for all programs sponsored/announced by International Student Services, International Student Organization and MSUM granted automatically.
• To participate in ALL other activities, students MUST submit a Volunteer Pre-Approval Form.

Volunteer Hour Guidelines
Student cannot submit hours if the student is already receiving academic credit or it is a part of your course work, such as:

• Events/activities that are required for an organization (i.e. community service required for sororities/fraternities and other student organizations.
• Must be completed/earned during Fall or Spring semester
• Playing sports for a team or organization
• Volunteering requirement for your degree
• Example: Volunteering for your friend as a web designer and your friend signing the volunteer hour form does not count
• Volunteer Hour Grid (how many hours you can claim according to the event)
• The volunteer hours MUST be completed every semester. If it is your final semester (graduating that semester) you do not need to submit the volunteer hour form.
• You are NOT required to complete volunteer hours during the summer months. If you plan to take summer classes you will automatically receive the scholarship for the summer semester

Where can I find volunteer opportunities?

• International Student Services-sponsored programs (i.e. Celebration of Nations, Orientation, International Education Week, Nationality Nights (Korean Night, China Night, Nepal Night).
• International Student Services will send out e-mails when volunteer opportunities arises or requested.
• OSA Volunteer List
• On-Off Campus Volunteer Opportunity List