An international student is defined as a student on an F-1 or J-1 visa status who is studying full time for a degree.
International undergraduate students maintain their status by keeping their passport and I-20 valid at all times along with completing at least 12 credits each quarter while making progress towards their degree. Graduate students must take at least 6 credits each semester.
Do not worry, if you are in the U.S. and your visa expires, you are fine. You just cannot let your I-20 or Passport expire. Your visa just let you into the country, so when you leave the country again, you will need to get a new I-20 and reapply for a new visa. You can only obtain a new visa outside of the U.S. For detail information contact ISO office.
Check the ISO bulletin board for volunteer opportunities and ask for ideas at the ISO. There are many volunteer opportunities available out side the ISO as well.
Make sure that you have your I-20 signed by the ISO BEFORE leaving the U.S. Also carry with you valid financial documents, along with your valid passport and visa to reenter the U.S.
After successfully completing one semester at MSU, an international student may qualify for on-campus employment. The student must apply at the ISO for permission to work. The length of the permission will be partially dependent on the student's academic history.
International students must be authorized to work off or on campus. To work off-campus a student must qualify for one of three programs: Curricular Practical Training, Optional Practical Training or Economic Hardship. These are the only options currently available to international students.
If the internship is required for your degree, you may qualify for Curricular Practical Training. This opportunity is job specific and time specific. This authorization is handled by the ISO. Please stop by the ISO for a pamphlet regarding the procedures for this opportunity.
An F-1 student who has maintained his/her status for at least 9 months may be eligible for Optional Practical Training. He/she may apply up to 90 days prior to completion of study or within 60 days after completion of study. No job offer is required to apply for this option. This application is recommended by the ISO and authorized by USCIS
Minnesota State University, Mankato offers two scholarships for internationals. The first is the In-State Tuition Scholarship program which grants the in-state rate of tuition to students that apply and qualify for the program. Undergraduates currently need to complete at least 12 credits for a letter grade and maintain a 2.5 GPA for the quarter. Once a student qualifies for the scholarship, he/she must also volunteer up to 15 hours a quarter to continue the scholarship. Graduate students must complete 8 credits for a letter grade and maintain a 3.1 GPA along with performing volunteer hours. For more information refer to the In-State Scholarship pamphlet available in the ISO. The second scholarship is from the International Endowment Fund, a fund developed by supporters of the international community. Scholarships are given each year to current international students. Applications are available in the Spring Semester for the following year.
Stop by the ISO for informational pamphlets about:
