International students
International student admissions
Welcome international students! Thank you for your interest in Minnesota State Community and Technical College. Our college has four campus locations in Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls, Moorhead and Wadena. More information about each campus is available at minnesota.edu/about/campuses.
We are excited to help you navigate the admissions process. If you have questions, please contact our Enrollment Team.
Effective November 1, 2023, Minnesota State Community and Technical College will only be accepting international students who are in-status (applicants with a valid F-1 or M-1 visa transferring from a school within the United States), people who wish to change their nonimmigrant status who are already in the United States on a valid nonimmigrant visa, or are from Canada. For M State admission purposes, an international student is defined as someone who is not a U.S. citizen or immigrant and is seeking admission to the college. Permanent residents, refugees and political asylees must complete only the general admissions process, not the international student admissions process.
* Canadian students do not need a visa to study; however, they do need to obtain an I-20 Certificate of Eligibility.
International student admissions process (Students transferring from a school within the United States and Canadian students):
- Complete the online application by the admissions deadline
Once you complete the online application, an International Student Requirements Packet will be sent to you via email. International students must submit all required documents by the deadline to be considered for acceptance to M State.
Important information:
- Minnesota State Community and Technical College will only be accepting international students who are in-status (applicants with a valid F-1 visa transferring from a school within the United States) and Canadian students.
- I-20 forms will be issued when all admission requirements have been met. When transferring to M State from another institution, the transfer institution will work with the student on a release date for their SEVIS record. The DSO will create a new Form I-20 once the SEVIS record is received.
- All international students are required to have insurance coverage throughout the duration of their attendance at M State. The college will procure the policy on their behalf, and the cost will show on their M State bill. The cost is approximately $2,200 for the academic year.
- International students may not arrive more than 30 days prior to the start date listed on their I-20.
- Before classes begin, international students should complete the course placement process and register for classes.
- Federal financial aid is not available to international students.
Admissions deadlines:
(All documents needed for acceptance must be received by M State prior to the deadlines listed below)
- December 1 to start spring semester
- August 1 to start fall semester
International students will not be admitted to summer semester.
Tax information for international students
Are international students required to file with the IRS?
All non-immigrant international students who were in the United States during a calendar year (any time between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31) are required to file tax documents with the federal Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by April 15 of the following year. (For example, students in the country for all or a portion of 2022 must file taxes in 2023.) You must file a tax report whether or not you worked in the United States, earned income in the United States, or received a scholarship.
Where can I get tax assistance?
If you have general questions about filing taxes, contact the Designated School Official (DSO) on your campus. We cannot provide tax or legal advice, however, so you may need to seek professional help from a tax preparer for assistance with specific tax issues or questions. You may find answers to some of your questions on the IRS website.
What forms will I need to complete as an international student?
If you were in the United States for even a day during the calendar year but earned NO income, you need to complete Form 8843 and mail it to the IRS (the address is listed below) on or before April 15.
Form 8843 and Form 8843 instructions
If you were in the United States during the prior year and earned ANY income, you must complete Forms 8843 and 1040NR EZ and mail both forms together to the IRS.
Form 1040NR EZ and Form 1040NR EZ instructions
If this is your sixth year in the United States and you have lived in the United States for five consecutive years without a break, you are considered a U.S. Nonresident (also known as resident alien) for tax purposes only and can complete the standard federal and state tax forms.
Where do I send my tax forms?
Remember to make copies of your tax documents before you mail them to:
Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service
Austin, TX 73301-0215
USA
Will I need to file Minnesota tax forms?
Information and instructions for filing nonresident Minnesota state tax forms are available on the Minnesota State Tax Information website.