International Student In-State Scholarships & Volunteer Hours

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 to complete forms. 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.

International Student In-State Tuition Policy

All International students attending Minnesota State University Moorhead will be eligible for a Minnesota Resident Tuition Scholarship. All accepted new International Students will receive the in-state scholarship automatically the first semester(students must attend mandatory international student orientation). If students wishes to maintain the scholarship, students must meet the scholarship criteria every semester. Students must maintain:

  • All new international students MUST attend mandatory international student orientation (all the assigned days) during their first semester. Please check the international student orientation page for more information.
  • Standard academic progress: this is defined as maintaining a 2.0 Cumulative GPA
  • Contribute 10 hours of volunteer work per semester. A minimum of 3 volunteer hours must be an MSU Moorhead event on or off-campus.
  • Only professional staff and graduate assistants can sign as supervisors on the volunteer hour form NOT your friend or students from other campuses.

Scenario: A new student arrived to MSUM in Fall Semester. The scholarship is applied automatically for the Fall Semester. But the student will need to complete 10 volunteer hours during Fall Semester and maintain standard academic progress during Fall Semester . The scholarship will be applied for Spring semester. This means students will maintain academic standing as well as complete 10 volunteer hours every semester if students wish to receive the scholarship every semester.

Undergraduate Students

  • Must attend mandatory international student orientation (all assigned days) during the first semester at MSUM.
  • Maintain good academic standing at MSUM.
  • Register for a minimum of twelve (12) credits per semester UNLESS you have approval to drop below 12 credits.
  • 10 hours of volunteer hours per semester.
  • The volunteer hours must be completed/earned during Fall or Spring Semester when classes are in session and not at any other times unless permission is granted by ISS.
  • A minimum of 3 volunteer hours must be completed at an MSU Moorhead event on or off-campus.
  • The form must be completed correctly and only professional staff and graduate assistants can sign as supervisors not your student workers or friends from MSUM. NDSU and Concordia College or any other campus.
  • Submit the volunteer hour form on or before the deadline, which is 4:00 pm Commencement Day of each semester.
  • Complete your degree within 4.5 years.

Graduate Students

  • Must attend mandatory international student orientation (all assigned days) during their first semester at MSUM.
  • Successful completion of minimum of eight (8) credits per semester UNLESS you have approval to drop below 8 credits.
  • 10 hours of volunteer hours per semester.
  • The volunteer hours must be completed/earned during Fall or Spring Semester when classes are in session and not at any other times unless permission is granted by ISS.
  • A minimum of 3 hours must be completed at MSU Moorhead on or off-campus event (s).
  • The form must be completed correctly and only professional staff and graduate assistants can sign as supervisors not student workers or friends from MSUM, NDSU or Concordia College or other campuses.
  • Submit volunteer hour form on or before the deadline, which is Commencement Day of each semester.
  • Complete your degree in 2.5 years.

In-State Scholarship Guidelines

During the student's first semester, all international students will receive the in-state tuition scholarship automatically. If the student wishes to receive the in-state scholarship beyond the first semester, students must maintain above criteria. For more information on how to do volunteer work please visit our Volunteer Information Page. All students MUST comply with all the rules and regulations for the in-state scholarship criteria.

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 an 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 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 for an 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.
  • Submit the Volunteer Hour Submissions Form no later than 2 weeks after the event.
  • Submit Volunteer Hours form to International Student Services no later than the Commencement Day of that particular semester by 4:00pm. (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 Hours 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 other student organizations, sororities/fraternities).
  • Must be completed/earned during Fall or Spring semester.
  • Playing sports for a team or organization.
  • Volunteering requirement for your degree.
  • 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 hours 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 or do a web search.