Students must provide evidence that they have completed their secondary education within their home country (usually 12 years) and be entitled to acceptance into the universities in their home countries. As a result of the extreme differences in educational systems among countries, admission requirements vary depending on the country from which the student originates.

Your academic performance will be evaluated for acceptance to Minnesota State University Moorhead. If your grade reports are not issued with a U.S. 4.0 grading system, our Director of International Student Services will evaluate your grade reports or mark sheets to determine eligibility.

You are required to have English proficiency as evidenced by a TOEFL score (500 on paper test, 173 on computer test or 61 on internet test), IELTS score (5.5 or better), MELAB score (80 or better), completion of ELS course 112 or completion of Kaplan course.

You must prove to be financially self-sufficient and able to provide proof of at least US$17,041.

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.
• 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.

International Student Tuition & Fees

As international students who required an I-20 immigration form must be able to provide current financial affidavit and a bank statement indicating that they have the necessary funds to finance the costs associated with his or her education at Minnesota State University Moorhead. The student will need the I-20 form for their F-1 student visa interview.

International students who plan to join as exchange students must provide the sufficient funding documents according to their program if they wish to study at Minnesota State University Moorhead before the required DS-2019 form can be issued by the university. The student will need the DS-2019 form for their J-1 student visa interview.  For more information for your costs please contact the appropriate program advisor.

The figures are based on non-residency at the University (all F and J students). All figures are subject to change.

Fall Semester 2012 

Spring Semester 2013

• Students will have living expenses during the summer that will range from $2,500 - $3,000.
• Living expenses listed above are for a double room with 14 meals per week.
• Early move-in to dorms (for orientation, sporting events, etc.) will cost $15/day until the start date of housing contract. This does not include meals. Student is responsible for meals until meal plan start date. Average estimate for extra days for orientation, sporting events, etc. is $120 - $150.
• Students arriving in the U.S. for the first time: you cannot arrive earlier than 30 days prior to the "start date" listed on your immigration document.
• Include an extra $100-$200 amount for "program based fees". These costs depend on the courses you take.
• Minnesota State University Moorhead is controlled by the State University Board; all costs are subject to change as a result of decisions made by the Board or Federal and State Legislative action.

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.

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.

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.