International Students' Guide - Northern State University

INDEX

Application

Finance Form

Admissions

International Student Guide

DEGREE SEEKING INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

1. Application

Applying to Northern State University begins with the application, which can be obtained on-line. (Follow the link at the end of this paragraph.). If you do not have easy access to a computer you may request materials be sent to you by sending an email to: admissions@northern.edu or write to: Admissions, Northern State University, 1200 S. Jay St. Aberdeen SD 57401. All international students should carefully read the materials and fill in the data. Apply on-line: Northern State University Admissions

2. Declaration of Finance Form

When we have received your application for admission, our Financial Aid Office will send a Foreign Student Financial Statement to you. On this form you report your financial status (and that of your parents if you are still a dependent). Financial assistance for international students is generally not available from Northern State University. Therefore, the form asks for expected sources of support to cover all expenses at Northern State University during the entire period of enrollment. This information must be confirmed by your bank and stamped with the your banks stamp. Education is expensive in the United States. Financial preparation must be adequate. We, in turn, must communicate with the Federal Government of the United States that you are financially able to pay for all your expenses while in the United States. Download the Declaration of Finance Form (pdf file).

3. English Language Requirements

Northern State University requires International Students to meet the following minimum language requirements.

TOEFL: Information on TOEFL

Paper-based test (PBT): 500

Computer-based test (CBT): 173

IELTS: 5.0 - Information on IELTS

4. Budget/Sponsorship

Students who are planning to attend Northern State University with financial help from someone here in the United States will need to have the sponsor fill out an International Student Sponsor Agreement Form. The Financial Aid Office will send a budget sheet and an International Student Sponsor Agreement Form to each student who has been accepted for enrollment and requests the form. The budget sheet will show the estimated expenses for the first 12 months at Northern State University. A Sponsor Agreement Form should be given to the person who will be paying those expenses. (Alternate payment plans are only available to students with stateside institutional sponsorship, and upon request). The Agreement Form must be signed and returned together with the money to the Northern State University, Admissions, Attention: Director.

Money may be wired to the College. For additional information, contact the Admissions Office at 605-626-2544.

Each subsequent year by the first day of classes, payment in full will be required for next semester. Students will not be allowed to enroll for the next year until the next semester is paid. I-20 documents mentioned below for students who are not enrolled become invalid and thus these students may lose their opportunity to remain in the U.S.

5. The I-20

When all forms are properly completed and received together with the required payment the Admissions Office, will issue an I-20.

6. Student Visa (F-1)

The I-20 is an official document of the United States Government granting you permission to apply for an F-1 student visa at the U.S. Consulate nearest you. Once you have a visa, you may make final travel arrangements to come to the U.S. At this time, contact the Vice President for Student Affairs Office at Northern State University concerning your planned enrollment.

7. Admission Decision

When your application is complete, the Admissions Office will report its decision to you. If you are accepted, follow all instructions provided by the Admissions Office and continue to the next step.

8. Arrival in Aberdeen

Please contact the International Student Advisors Office and let them know when you are planning to arrive in Aberdeen. Arrangements will be made to meet you at the airport and help get you settled at Northern.

9. Practical Training

Practical training is designed to provide you with an opportunity to gain actual employment experience in your chosen profession for a maximum of one year. The work must be directly related to your major field of study and it must be appropriate for someone having your level of education. The work may be full time or part time, and may occur anywhere in the United States. There are two kinds of practical training, optional and curricular, and these will be discussed separately.

Curricular Practical Training

Curricular practical training is available if your program has a required or optional internship for academic credit. You must obtain permission to engage in curricular practical training before you begin employment. In order to apply for curricular practical training, you must submit the following to the International Student Advisor:

a completed CPT Application
your I-20 (student) copy,
Job offer or class registration with the contract or agreement from your academic department
International Student Advisor will endorse your I-20 for curricular practical training for the specific employer, half-time or full-time, and for the dates of your internship. You do not need authorization from the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
For more information regarding CPT, please see the following attachment: CPT Explanation

Optional Practical Training is available:

During your annual vacation and at other times when school is not in session as long as you are currently enrolled and intend to register for the next semester.
While school is in session, provided that practical training does not exceed twenty hours per week.
After completion of all course requirements for the degree excluding thesis or equivalent.
After completion of your course of study.

Who can apply?

In order for you to be eligible to apply for practical training, you must have been in lawful F-1 student status for at least nine months.
Should I apply for practical training?
Only twelve months of optional practical training are available during your U.S. studies, so you must carefully consider when you want to take it. For example, if you work full-time during three summers, then you will only be eligible for 3 months when you graduate. You can apply for part of your practical training after one degree and part after another. For example, you could apply for 6 months of practical training following your bachelor's and another 6 months following your Master's, but the total amount of time cannot be more than 12 months.

When can I apply?

You must submit an application Student Affairs before you begin your practical training. If you are applying for practical training after completion of your course of study, you must apply to the Student Affairs Office. The application must be sent to the Immigration Office in Lincoln Nebraska for the "Employment Authorization Document" (EAD), along with the recommendation of Student Affairs within the following time frame: 90 days prior to completion of studies up to 60 days after completion.

How do I apply?

There is a two-pronged process when applying for practical training. You must submit the following documents to the International Student Advisor:

your I-20ID (Student) Copy,
a completed I-538,
I-765 - EAD application
NOTE: The answer to question #15 on the I-765 is F-1.
The answer to question #16 is (c)(3)(i).
$340 check
your I-94
a letter from your academic adviser certifying your field of study, when you will complete your studies, and a statement that the proposed employment is directly related to the student's major area of study and commensurate with the student's educational level.
Two photos with a white background taken no earlier than 30 days before submission to INS. The INS specifications about the photos are extremely detailed.

Once you have completed these requirements the International Student Advisor will complete Section B of the Form I-538 and "recommend" practical training on your I-20ID (Student) Copy. ISA will mail the required documents to the INS office in Lincoln Nebraska who will then mail you the Employment Authorization Document. This process has been taking 3 months.

When can I begin practical training?

Once you have received your EAD and the date for employment is current, you may begin practical training. You may not begin your practical training until you receive your EAD.
Can I change employers?
You may change employers after practical training has been authorized provided the new job is (1) directly related to your major field of study and (2) appropriate for someone having your level of education.

Can I travel outside the United States?

You may not travel outside of the U.S. after you graduate and before you receive your EAD. Once you have been granted practical training, you can travel outside the U.S. if you have (1) a valid visa, (2) Form I-20ID (STUDENT) Copy, endorsed for travel by Student Affairs "within the last six months," and (3) the "Employment Authorization Document" (EAD). Students who do not meet these requirements may not be allowed to reenter the U.S. Check with Student Affairs before contemplating travel outside the U.S.

Also be sure to check out our International Student Handbook!