INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS' GUIDE TO NSU
 |
Thank you for expressing interest in Northern State
University. Our goal is to do everything we can to help you understand and
complete the process of coming to the University. It can seem complicated but
each of the ordered steps is important. Please read through this information
carefully. If we can be of further assistance, feel free to contact us.
For more information about studying internationally, you can also check out our
International
Student Handbook.
|
|
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: Undergraduate, Graduate 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.
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. When all forms are properly completed and received together with the required payment the Admissions Office, will issue an I-20. 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. 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. Please contact the Student Affairs 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.
|
|
|
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. Currently at Northern State University, only Business and Education have internships for 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 Student Affairs Office:
Optional Practical Training is available:
Who can apply?
When can I apply?
How do I apply? There is a two-pronged process when applying for practical training. You must submit the following documents to Student Affairs:
Once you have completed these requirements Student Affairs will complete Section B of the Form I-538 and "recommend" practical training on your I-20ID (Student) Copy. Student Affairs 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?
Can I travel outside the United States?
Also be sure to check out our International Student Handbook!
|
|