International Students

Step 1: Apply for admission to the university.

Apply for admission

Step 2: Complete housing application.

Using your StarID/password, complete the Housing Application in the Housing & Dining Portal. Click below for a step-by-step guide. Applications are received on a first-come, first-serve basis and determine when you select your room, so we encourage you to apply early!

If you apply for 24-25 housing between October 2 and February 16, we will not ask for your room or roommate preference in the housing application. Why? Because you are on track to choose your own roommate and room in the spring.

If you apply for 24-25 housing after February 16, you will be asked to rank your room type preferences in the application because we will assign you to a room and roommate.

Apply for housing

How to complete your housing application

Step 3: Sign the housing contract.

Housing Contracts are signed within the Housing & Dining Portal.  Students under age 18 need to have a parent/guardian sign the contract, in addition to the student.  Housing Contracts are in effect for one academic year.  Once signed, the contract is legal and binding and cannot be broken (except in very specific circumstances). The terms and conditions should be understood prior to signing.

Housing Contract Information

Step 4: Pay the prepayment.

A $250 prepayment is required to complete a student's reservation.  The link to complete your prepayment is located in the housing application.

Your reservation is not complete until we receive your prepayment (your application could be cancelled if prepayment is not received).

Unlike a deposit, a student's prepayment is applied to the student's first semester room charges. A reduced prepayment may be available if you qualify.

To pay your prepayment:

1. Login to E-services using your StarID/password.
2. Click Bills and Payment, then click Prepayments. Select the correct term and year.

Housing contracts are in effect for one academic year or that portion of the academic year remaining at the time occupancy  begins. Once signed, a contract can only be ended under specific critera. Those criteria are:

• withdrawal from all classes
• transfer to another school
• graduation
• marriage during the term
• affiliation with a MNSU program away from the Mankato campus
• serious medical or health problems which impedes the ability of the resident to fulfill terms of the housing contract.

Learn more about the housing contract

A complete reservation means you have:

1. Completed your housing application,
2. Signed your housing contract, and
3. Paid your prepayment.

If you complete your housing reservation by February 16, 2024:

• You are on the priority track, which means you get to select the room you will be living in.
• April 1-12, 2024 you will select your room during Room Selection. We will send you an email with your timeslot for Room Selection in late March.
• You also have the option of choosing your roommate during Roommate Matching (February 26 - March 15).

If you complete your housing reservation on/after February 17, 2024:

• You are on the assignment track, meaning our office will assign you to a room anytime between May and July.
• When a room assignment is made, you will receive an email from our office and it will also be viewable in the Housing & Dining Portal.

All of our residence halls and apartments have something different to offer.

• If being close to everything is important: Choose a Basic, Renovated, or Semi-Suite. These room types are located on main campus and are a 5-10 minute walk to the dining center, classes, library, and campus events.
• If having a kitchen is important: Choose an Apartment. Each apartment has a full kitchen (large kitchen sink, stove/oven, refrigerator/freezer, dishwasher, and plenty of cabinet and counter space).
• If you want to live in the same room for the whole year (12 months): Choose an Apartment. Students who live in our apartments can extend their housing into the summer, meaning you can stay in the same place for the whole year and don't have to hassle with moving.
• If being near a transportation hub is important: Any of our options are a great option! We have bus shelters near each residence community and students can ride the city bus for free to get to shopping locations easily. Land to Air Express also has a drop-off and pick-up location on campus when you need transportation to and from MSP Airport.
• If living economically is important to you: Choose an Apartment. Students living in a double room at Stadium Heights for the whole year (12 months), will spend an average of $661 per month on all their housing expenses (this includes all utilities and $500 Dining Dollars to use August-May on the Maverick 250 Dining Dollars plan). Students who live on campus also pay one bill a semester instead of many monthly bills for off-campus living.
• If meeting new people is important to you: Choose a Basic or Renovated room. Students living in these room types meet more people quickly than other room types due to the shared community spaces on each floor (lounge, kitchen, and bathroom).

In Residential Life Housing, all of your living expenses are included in your room rate. Your room rate includes the following:

Students living in Residential Life Housing are required to have a meal plan.  Many students who choose our apartment option, will select the Maverick 250 Dining Dollars plan because they have a kitchen in their apartment.

Living off campus, you will pay monthly bills for many of the services we include, in addition to monthly rent. You will also need to budget for everyday expenses, such as food.

You will learn your mailing address after you have selected a room OR after you have been assigned a room. It will be available in the Housing & Dining Portal.

When sending packages, make sure to write the student's complete name and address. If purchasing items online to be shipped, make sure the student's name appears in the "ship to" address.

Resident's Full Name
Residence Community Name, Hall Letter, and Room Number
Hall Street Address
Mankato, MN 56001

Mailing Addresses

MEAL PLANS

Residential students may choose from any of the four meal plans that are offered.

• Anytime: Can eat anytime you want in the dining center and includes $100 Dining Dollars/semester that can be spent at any retail dining location on campus.
• 14 Meals Per Week: Averages out to 2 meals per day in the dining center and includes $200 Dining Dollars/semester that can be spent at any retail dining location on campus.
• 160 Meals Per Semester: Breaks down to approximately 10 meals per week with the ability to convert meals to Dining Dollars that can be spent at retail dining locations on campus.
• Maverick 250 Dining Dollars plan: No meals are included in this plan, only $250 Dining Dollars each semester. Dining Dollars can be spent at any retail dining location on campus. Students living in our apartments often choose this meal plan.

University Dining Center

The University Dining Center has many dining options, including vegan and vegetarian, and gluten-free. Each station in the dining center offers different food options. Stations include:

• Salad Bar
• Deli
• Roasted Roots
• Creations
• Simple Servings
• Bakery
• Pizza
• Classics

University Dining offers Halal chicken patties, Halal beef patties, and Halal bone-in chicken.

Generally speaking, we allow new international students with a housing assignment to move in up to one week prior to their scheduled orientation date with an approved early arrival request.

Students seeking early arrival need to submit an early arrival request in the Housing & Dining Portal. Once approved, details regarding check-in will be shared with the student.

Students attending Spring 24 Orientation

• Form will TENTATIVELY open November 27 in the Housing & Dining Portal. This date is subject to change.

Students attending Fall 24 Orientation

• Form will TENTATIVELY open July 22 in the Housing & Dining Portal. This date is subject to change.

COST

Approved early arrivals will be responsible for a $25 per day daily rate that will be billed to their student account. Meals are not provided for early arriving students.

Early Arrival Information

Here are some popular options to travel to Mankato from MSP Airport. This provider makes stops on the MNSU campus.

• Land to Air Express

Provided

• Bed with mattress
• Desk and desk chair
• Dresser
• Shared closet space
• Sink in each room
• Blind for window

BRING/SHOP FOR

View our list of things to bring

LOCAL SHOPPING

There are stores within Mankato where you can pick up items for your room. Here are a few popular options:

• Target
• Wal-Mart
• TJ Maxx (bedding, clothing)
• Kohl's (bedding, clothing)
• Hy-Vee (grocery store)
• Cub Foods (grocery store)
• Aldi (grocery store)