Should I apply as an International Student?
If you are not a U.S. citizen, not a permanent resident, and not a refugee/asylee and are applying to study in the U.S., OR if you are already in the U.S. in F-1 status and are transferring, apply as an international student.
A non-F1 visa holder seeking to obtain F-1 status must apply as an international student and complete Form I-539 to change their status to F-1 OR depart the U.S. and apply for a new visa. Note: Some visa categories are restricted from changing status to F-1.
You should NOT apply as an international student if you ARE a US citizen, permanent resident, refugee/asylee, or visa class that is already allowed to study.
You should complete the standard new student application.
Translate this page there is also a "select language" button for translation in the top menu of the whole website
Get started on your admission
Students are encouraged to apply six months prior to their anticipated start date to ensure sufficient time for SCTCC to receive, authenticate, and process paperwork.
It is recommended that you download and use the above checklist to help you organize your required admissions items and forms as you acquire and complete them.
- A completed Online Application.
- Read, initial, and sign International Student Agreement.
- A completed Financial Responsibility Form
- Current official bank statement showing sufficient funds to cover educational, living, health insurance, and transportation expenses.
- Completed Supplemental Information Form.
- A copy of valid, non-expired passport.
- Official secondary school (high school) transcript, in English, indicating completion, graduation, or equivalent.
- Proof of English language proficiency from one of the following:
- TOEFL: 61 minimum is required (with not less than 15 on reading, writing and listening sub scores) using the on-line version of the test
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System): score of 5.5 minimum
- Duolingo English: score 90 or higher
*Applicants with Canadian citizenship are exempt from English proficiency requirement. - Transfer Student Only:
- International Transfer Student Form completed jointly by student and international officer or DSO from previous institution.
- Request U.S. college/university official transcripts to be sent to SCTCC for possible Accuplacer placement test exemption and transfer of credits.
- Send a copy of current visa, I-20, and I-94 arrival/departure record.
Accompanied by a spouse and/or children?
Please complete F-2 Dependent Form so we can issue additional I-20s for each dependent.
Check out https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students/get-started/bringing-dependents-to-the-united-states for more information on F-2 dependents.
SUBMIT ALL ADMISSIONS ITEMS TO:
INTERNATIONALADMISSIONS@SCTCC.EDU OR BY MAIL AT 1540 NORTHWAY DRIVE, ST CLOUD, MN 56303
New Student: First time attending college in the U.S. OR attended a U.S. institution in the past, did not get reinstated, and is returning to the U.S. to study with a new SEVIS record.
Transfer Student: Currently admitted and in status at a U.S. high school or college/university and will transfer SEVIS record to attend SCTCC.
Deadline date is for the online application AND all required Admissions Items (documents)!
Fall Semester
New Students: July 1st
Transfer Students: August 1st
Spring Semester
New Students: October 1st
Transfer Students: December 1st
Financial Responsibility:
For a complete breakdown of tuition & fees please visit: https://sctcc.edu/tuition
Tuition (per term)= $2449.44 (cost for 12 credit min)
Health Insurance (per year)= $2346.00
SCTCC is required by the US Government to examine the financial documentation of F-1 students to ensure the financial support is sufficient to issue an I-20. An international student at SCTCC will need to show official proof of sufficient funds to cover tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, health insurance (required by state law), and personal expenses.
The funding can be from personal funds, funds from the student's family/sponsor, scholarships, fellowships or sponsoring agencies or governments. Funding needs to be in liquid assets only. Property is not an acceptable source of funding.
Bank Statements:
The funds need to be on original bank letterhead stationery with a signature of the bank official in ink or a photocopy of the bank statement will need to be stamped by the issuing bank in original stamp ink and have a signature of a bank official in ink. Faxes, scanned copies, notarized copies and photocopies (without the original stamp/signature) are not acceptable documentation. Bank statements must not be dated more than 3 months prior to the date of application.
An English translation by an official translating agency and with the stamp and signature of the translating official, and contact information of translating agency is required for all statements not in English.
English proficiency waived for citizens of:
Canada
Current Options
- TOEFL: 61 minimum is required (with not less than 15 on reading, writing and listening sub scores) using the on-line version of the test
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System): score of 5.5 minimum
- Duolingo English: score 90 or higher
- Accuplacer Reading: score of 228 or higher. Details at sctcc.edu/accuplacer.
Next Steps (Outside USA)
Anyone outside the United States who has been admitted to SCTCC and issued an I-20 is required to obtain an F-1 or M-1 student visa to enter the country and study. Please note that the following steps do not apply to transfer students or individuals changing status within the United States.
Note: Canadian citizens do not need a visa but must still pay the SEVIS Fee and enter the United States with an I-20 to obtain F-1 status.
Anyone applying for an F-1 or M-1 visa is required to pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee. This fee is paid to the U.S. government and supports the Student and Exchange Visitor Program. For more details on the SEVIS fee, including payment options, visit: https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/.
If you have previously paid the fee, it remains valid for one year. If you did not obtain a visa and more than a year has passed since your payment, you must pay the fee again before your visa appointment.
Note: the SEVIS fee is a separate fee from the visa application fee.
Schedule a visa appointment at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate that issues visas. An interview is required. To find the nearest location, visit: http://www.usembassy.gov/.
You may apply for your visa up to 120 days before the start date on your I-20. Please note that receiving an I-20 from SCTCC or any other school does not guarantee visa approval.
For tips on preparing for a successful visa interview, visit: https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/2015/06/five-ways-prepare-your-visa-interview.
Students who are unable to secure a visa after two attempts will not be issued a third I-20 and will be advised to apply to another college.
Once you receive your student visa, you may enter the U.S. no more than 30 days before the start date on your I-20. Do not book your flight until your visa has been approved. Your earliest admission date is located on page one of your I-20.
When traveling, be sure to carry all required documents, including your I-20, SEVIS fee receipt, admission forms, admission letter, bank statements, and your passport with visa. Customs and Border Protection officers will review your immigration documents at the port of entry and make the final decision on your admissibility into the United States.
For more information about non-immigrant visas and U.S. entry requirements, visit: http://travel.state.gov/.
Paying for College
Please note, International students ARE NOT eligible for Financial Aid. SCTCC is committed to providing all our students an affordable learning experience
The SCTCC Foundation funds limited awards each year based on merit and need. A scholarship generally covers only a portion of the tuition. Therefore, it is imperative that you have sufficient funds to cover your expenses.
Find information on available scholarships!
Jobs are limited on campus and most students attend college for at least a year before being able to secure employment. Therefore, it is imperative that you have sufficient funds to cover your expenses.
Students can visit Career Services for interview practice, resume critique and more!
Questions?
After you complete your online application, access and complete all the required admissions items listed, please reach out with any questions!

Northway 1-401
1540 Northway Drive
St. Cloud, MN 56303