International Students

Admissions Procedure

The following outlines the procedure required to complete the International Student Application to Northland Community & Technical College. Before an I-20 (F-1 or M-1) can be issued, international students must be admitted to Northland by completing the following four requirements:

1. International Student Application

Complete & return the international student application and required fee to the Northland admissions office or you may apply online. If you apply online, complete Part 1 of the application which includes: personal information, permanent address, phone number, E-mail address, and citizenship information. International students need to select the option International Visa Holder or Seeker on the application. Complete Part 2 which includes the international required information and the rest of the application.

2. Academic Requirement

The minimum academic requirement is graduation from an accredited secondary school or its equivalent. Applicants must arrange for the campus admissions office to receive official academic records from all secondary and post-secondary institutions attended. Detailed official records of courses taken, marks received and examinations passed must be sent directly to Northland from the examination council or educational authority. Records must also include diplomas, degrees, or other certificates received.

If documents are not in English, all records must be translated into English and submitted with a copy of the original document that is in the native language. This translation has to be certified by a school or public official as a true copy and translation of the original document. This copy is in addition to the original record sent directly to Northland by all colleges/universities attended.

This college reserves the right to determine the appropriateness of the certification and does not ordinarily return certificates and/or records. Some documents may be sent to authorities for verification of authenticity. When there is a charge for verification of authenticity, the applicant is responsible for those charges.

3. English Proficiency Requirement

English language proficiency results must be sent to Northland. The following are measures that can be used:

• TOEFL (Test of English Foreign Language) score of 500 or higher (paper), 173 or higher (computer), 61 or higher (internet), or
• IELTS (International English Language Testing System) band score of 5.5 or higher
• Completion of Level 109 of an approved ELS Language Center, or
• Recent completion of a college-level composition course with a grade of “C” or better from a United States college/university

Northland will waive the English requirement for any applicant whose native language is English.

4. Immunization Requirements

Complete & return the Northland Immunization Record. Minnesota law requires that all students born after 1956 and enrolled in a public or private post-secondary school in Minnesota be immunized against diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps, and rubella, allowing for certain specified exceptions. This information will be available for review by the Minnesota Department of Health and the local community health board.

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Documents Required to be Issued an I-20

1. Certification of Finances

The Certification of Finances document must be submitted by all students who would like an F-1 or M-1 student visa while attending Northland. Students must provide documentation specifying sponsorship, funding or support for all educational and living expenses. Supporting documentation such as a bank statement or a letter from the sponsor’s bank must accompany the above documents. Financial or bank documents must be translated into English.

• Certification of Finances
• Certification of Finances - Health Programs
• Certification of Finances - Aviation Maintenance Technology
• Certification of Finances - Unmanned Aerial Systems Maintenance Technician

2. Health Insurance Requirement

The health insurance cost is included in the cost of attendance and is listed on the Certification of Finances. Health insurance is required as a condition for enrollment for all international students attending Northland. All international students are required to purchase the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities international student accident and illness insurance plan found at the United Healthcare website (click on the Find My School’s Plan link, type in Minnesota Community & Technical College, click on Minnesota Community & Technical College, click on International Plan information at the bottom of the page), unless they can provide documentation that their government or sponsoring agency is covering them under a plan provided by their government or sponsoring agency. Northland is not responsible for any bills due to illness or injury.

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Payment of Sevis (I-901) Fee

After receiving the I-20, payment of a SEVIS (I-901) fee is required. The fee is charged to students or exchange visitors tracked in SEVIS to cover the costs of administering and maintaining SEVIS, which includes ensuring compliance with the system’s requirements by individuals, schools and exchange visitor program sponsors. The fee is to be paid by certain individuals who are seeking status as F–1, F–3, M–1 or M–3 nonimmigrant students or as J–1 nonimmigrant exchange visitors. Information on how to pay the SEVIS (I-901) fee is found at the U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement website or you may pay the fee online.

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Registration

Registration is a separate process. Contact the Designated School Official (DSO) for registration information.