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St. Cloud State University

St. Cloud State University

Center For International Studies
Center for International StudiesComing to SCSUAfter you've arrivedExploring Your World

Questions about Applying to SCSU

Basic Questions

  1. How do I know whether I am an international or domestic student?
  2. When are admission decisions made?
  3. What is the minimum score I need to get on the TOEFL?
  4. What if my TOEFL is too low?
  5. Will I need additional English testing after arrival?
  6. Do you need my college transcript?
  7. How can I find out the status of my application?

Immigration issues

  1. When will I get my I-20?
  2. How do I establish my English proficiency?
  3. I already have an I-20. Do I need another I-20 for SCSU?

Finances

  1. What do I need to do to establish my financial eligibility?

If you have additional questions or concerns about issues that are not covered here contact our office.

Answers to Common Basic Questions

1. How do I know whether I am an international or domestic student?

If you have, or will need, a temporary U.S. visa (for example, an F-1 student visa), then you are considered to be an international student and you should use the international student application form. If you are a documented refugee, asylee, permanent resident, or a citizen of the U.S., then you are considered to be a domestic student and you should use the domestic student application form (even if your academic records are from another country or your native language is not English).

2. When are admission decisions made?

You can expect to be emailed soon after we have received your application if your application is incomplete. If your applicatioan is complete an admission decision will be made six to eight weeks after the Center for International Studies has received your complete application packet.

3. What is the minimum score I need to get on the TOEFL?

Undergraduate students applying to arts and sciences, architecture, business, education, journalism, and music should have a score of 500 (173 computer-based) or greater. Graduate departments may have different TOEFL requirements.

4. What if my TOEFL is too low?

You should continue taking ESL classes and then retake the TOEFL for admission. Or, apply to the St. Cloud State University Intensive English Center. Students who pass Level 4 of the Center's English Instruction program are admitted without a TOEFL.

5. Will I need additional English testing after arrival?

All students who are admitted to SCSU with TOEFL scores below 600 (250 computer-based) will be required to take the SCSU English Placement Test. Additional SCSU ESL courses may be recommended as a result of this test.

6. Do you need my college transcript?

Yes. You should have your college mail an official copy of your transcript directly to the Center for International Studies. Transcripts marked "Issued to Student" or "Student Copy" are not considered official, although we can use them for our initial admission review.

7. How can I find out the status of my application?

Email int_admissions@stcloudstate.edu to learn the status of your application.

Answers to Common Questions About Immigration Issues

1. When will I get my I-20?

If we have documentation of your financial eligibility and English proficiency in your file, you will receive your I-20 form along with your letter of admission.

2. How do I establish my English proficiency?

If English is not your native language, then you must submit an official TOEFL report, or you must have studied for one full academic year at a U.S. institution with a GPA of 2.5.

3. I already have an I-20. Do I need another I-20 for SCSU?

Yes. Part of this answer depends if you have entered the United States using another i-20.and you will need to re-establish your financial qualification for the costs and tuition at SCSU. Once you have been admitted and have established your English and financial qualifications, we will send you a new I-20. This will enable you to remain in F-1 status for the duration of your bachelor's degree program.

Answers to Common Questions About Finances

1. What do I need to do to establish my financial eligibility?

There is a Financial Statement in the international student application packet which you and your sponsor (if you have one) should fill out and sign. The United States Department of Homeland Security also requires that you document that sufficient funds are available to cover all the expenses for your first year of study at SCSU, usually with a bank statement. If you have a corporate, institutional, or governmental sponsor, then a scholarship letter (with the amounts and billing information stated) is required. See acceptable documentation under Apply to SCSU.
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