International Student Services

Reduced Course Load (RCL) May be Authorized Under the Following Conditions:

(A) Academic difficulties in initial (first) academic term only

RCL can be authorized once per program level due to:

• Difficulty with English language or reading
• Unfamiliarity with US teaching methods
• Improper course level placement

Details of academic or language difficulty must be provided in writing

May not drop below 6 credits

(B) Medical conditions

Student must provide a doctor's letter from a US doctor with the following licensure:

• Medical Doctor
• Doctor of Osteopathy
• Licensed Psychologist or Clinical Psychologist

The letter must include the following:

• Full name of the student
• Description of the student’s illness or medical condition and how it interferes with the student’s studies.
• Recommendation that the student takes a reduced course load or no courses at all
• The specific term for which a reduced course load is recommended.
• Original signature and date
• Clinic or hospital address and phone number

Must be renewed each semester and authorized by DSO each semester

Must not exceed a total period of 12 months at degree level

Must be requested before dropping or withdrawing from courses

(C) Completion of course of study

RCL may be authorized for being in the final session of their program if the course credits remaining is less than 12 credits

Required to submit documentation such as a Degree Audit Report or in writing from an academic advisor

Reduced Course Load Process:

1. Identify need for and eligibility for Reduced Course Load, discuss this with a DSO or your academic advisor
2. Gather evidence for Reduced Course Load (i.e letter explaining academic difficulty, Doctor's Letter, DAR showing final semester)
3. Complete Reduced Course Load Form
4. Upload or email evidence or documentation of RCL reason to internationaladmissions@sctcc.edu for P/DSO approval
5. If approved, receive a new Form I-20 from P/DSO
6. Adjust your class schedule according to your Reduced Course Load
    

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is authorized off-campus employment for F-1 students that is directly related to a student’s field of study. To be eligible for OPT, students must have completed one (1) academic year of full-time enrollment in F-1 status. Students must also receive a recommendation from their DSO on Form I-20 and submit Form I-765 to USCIS to request employment authorization. OPT may be used part-time before completion of studies (Pre-Completion OPT), full-time after completion of associates degree requirements (Post-Completion OPT), or as a combination of both. Combining Pre and Post Completion OPT requires two separate Form I-765 applications.   

To apply for OPT, students must complete the Optional Practical Training Request Form. Do not submit Form I-765 without first completing this form, consulting with a DSO, and receiving an OPT recommendation.  

Eligibility and Time Restrictions 

Post-Completion OPT  

Students must: 

• Have completed their course of study or, if in an associate’s program, have completed all degree requirements. 
• Obtain the DSO’s recommendation, which must be entered into the student’s SEVIS record and annotated on their Form I-20. 
• Properly file Form I-765 with USCIS and receive a valid EAD. 
• Complete their OPT within a 14-month period after graduation. 
• Work full-time for up to 12 months, or full-time for up to 6 months if Pre-Completion OPT has already been used. 

Additional OPT information can be found here: Practical Training details and information
 

Pre-Completion OPT 

Students must: 

• Have completed one full academic year and be lawfully enrolled full-time at SCTCC. 
• Obtain the DSO’s recommendation, which must be entered into the student’s SEVIS record and annotated on their Form I-20. 
• Properly file Form I-765 with USCIS and receive a valid Employment Authorization Document (EAD). 
• Apply up to 90 days before completing one academic year. 
• Work up to 12 months before the program end date. 
• Note that part-time OPT (for 12 months) reduces Post-Completion OPT eligibility by 6 months. 

Academic Support Services 

Academic Advising Center - academic plans and registration  

Center for Academic Success (CAS) - free tutoring services 

Records and Registration - academic records, credit transfer, graduation, and class support 

Student Support Services 

Your success and well-being are important to us, and our resources extend beyond academics! We provide many student support services, available to ALL students, including Career Services, Mental Health Services, Food Pantry, and much more! 

Find complete list and details of our student resources

In-Network Providers (covered by insurance here)  

CentraCare System

• Routine Check-Ups or Non-Urgent Illness
  • Northway Clinic (near campus)
  • Sartell Clinic
  • Southway Clinic 
• Urgent, Non Life-Threatening Illness or Injury
  • CentraCare Plaza Urgent Care
• Life-Threatening Injuries/Emergencies
  • St. Cloud Hospital - Emergency Room (near campus)

Convenience Clinic (quick service for simple illnesses)

• MinuteClinic Located Inside Cvs

Vision/Eye Exams

• Northway Eye Clinic (near campus)
• Insight EyeCare

Location

1540 Northway Drive 
St. Cloud, MN 56303 

The St. Cloud Technical and Community College campus is in a residential neighborhood of St. Cloud, located in central Minnesota, and is about one hour Northwest of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. The SCTCC campus consists of 5 buildings. 2 of these hold classes for academic students. The Northway Building is the largest building and contains Student Services, the Business Office, president’s office, Multicultural Center, dining, The Bookstore, trades & industry labs, and most classes. The Health Sciences Building holds the health sciences and nursing programs. The Heartland Building & Library is located between Northway and Health Sciences and is open to all students.  

Campus Maps

Emergencies and Campus Safety 

For emergency needs, you are encouraged to call “911” first and then call Security.   

Emergency: 911 

Security Officer: 320-308-5700 

St. Cloud Technical & Community College is committed to providing a safe work and learning environment for employees, students, and visitors. Vehicle and foot patrols of campus are conducted by campus security personnel from 8:30a.m. – 6:30p.m., Monday through Friday.  After hour response to campus incidents and emergency is provided by the City of St. Cloud emergency response personnel. Students, faculty, staff, and guests of the College are encouraged to immediately report emergencies and criminal activity to the St. Cloud Police Department (911). 

Campus Safety

F-1 student are strongly encouraged to live locally in the St. Cloud area while studying at SCTCC. Proximity to campus supports consistent attendance and visa compliance, increases access to academic resources and campus engagement, and has been shown to improve overall student success.

SCTCC does not offer on-campus housing to students. Students typically own a home, live with friends or family, rent a house or apartment, or stay at neighboring St. Cloud State University. SCTCC partners with SCSU to make a limited number of rooms available on their campus, only a few miles away. You can easily travel between campuses using Metro Bus. For more information on local housing and for St. Cloud State housing, please visit Housing options

After you have found housing, here is some key information you should know and consider: 

• Read and understand your lease! This is crucial for having a pleasant and problem-free renting experience. It will save you both time and money in the future. Be sure to make notes of the termination section. 

• If you are co-renting, make sure that all parties are on the lease and the phone/utility/etc. bills so that you protect yourself from possible future liabilities. 

• Be aware of rental scams. Review this page to identify rental scams and how to avoid them:  Rental Fraud: Top Tips for Avoiding Common Scams

Learn more about the St. Cloud Community from St Cloud Shines

The climate of Minnesota is typical of a continental climate with very cold winters and hot, humid summers. The state's location in the Upper Midwest allows it to experience some of the widest variety of weather in the United States, with each of the four seasons having its own distinct characteristics. 

Normal daily temperatures 

Average Temperatures in Saint Cloud: Celsius (C) and Fahrenheit (F) 

Autumn in Minnesota begins with lingering summer-time heat and transitions towards cool, windy, and rainy, with possible snowfall. Trees and plants begin to change colors from summer green to eventually losing all color. The sun rises lower and lower each day so expect it to feel darker earlier.  

Winter in Minnesota is characterized by cold (below freezing) temperatures. Snow is the main form of winter precipitation, but freezing rain, ice, sleet, and occasional rain are all possible. Snowfalls occur from November to April. January and February tend to have less snow but can feel bitterly cold. At the start of winter, the sun sets around 4:30 PM so expect shorter amounts of daylight in the winter months.   

Spring in Minnesota is a time of major transition. Snowstorms are still common early in the spring (March and April), but by late-spring, temperatures begin to warm up and will include some rain and wind. Trees, plants, and grass begin to turn green again and temperatures start to feel more desirable. You will continue to experience increased daylight.   

Summer in Minnesota is known to be very pleasant. Heat and humidity are common in the southern part of the state, while warm and less humid conditions are generally present in the central to northern regions. Minnesota summers occasionally have thunderstorms. To avoid the hail, high winds, and lightning strikes from a storm, simply stay indoors and away from windows. The sun is at its highest point in the sky by Summer so enjoy the many extra hours of daylight.  

The following is provided for information purposes only and is not tax advice. It is recommended that you contact a tax preparation service to assist in filing your taxes. SCTCC staff cannot assist you in preparing your tax returns.  

Who must file taxes?  

All international students are required to file taxes for the previous year if they were present in the United States at any time during that year. According to IRS.gov, there is no minimum dollar amount that triggers a filing amount for nonresidents. Students on an F1 and M1 visa for 5 calendar years or less are considered non-residents for tax purposes. Starting calendar year 6, students are considered residents for tax purposes. There are a few forms that international students may need to file: Form 1040-NR or Form 1040, Form M1, and if considered a non-resident for tax purposes, Form 8843. 

How to File Your Tax Return

• Step 1: Check if you are a non-resident for tax purposes 
  • Use this tool to find out if you are a non-resident for tax purposes
• Step 2: Receive tax documents from employer 
• Step 3: File your taxes with professional help 

File With Tax Preparation Service Locally, or Online (recommended) 

NoRTH International Tax Clinic – Free membership to access free tax software, tools, guides, and support. Prepare your return with a personalized guide; email and appointment assistance if needed. E-File your federal and state returns under most circumstances. Note that appointments fill quickly.  

• Request your membership:  Free NoRTH Membership 
  • You must use your SCTCC email (.edu) for your membership 
• Reach out if you have questions: 
  • Membership & appointments:  support@nrtaxhelp.org 
  • Tax Questions:  taxhelp@nrtaxhelp.org 

Tri-CAP Tax Assistance Program- Local tax support by appointment only starting February 9th through April 11th.  

Sprintax- Tax filing service for non-residents for an $80 fee.  

Please note that tax services such as TurboTax, FreeTaxUSA, or H&R Block DO NOT do international student (non-resident) tax returns.  

Form 1040-NR - United States Federal Tax Return 

Who must file?  

International students must file income taxes (Form 1040-NR) if: 

• Are a non-resident for tax purposes: Check your residency  
• Wages from on-campus employment or authorized employment from CPT or OPT in the United States (Form W-2) 
• Taxable scholarships or grants (1042-S) 
• Income from investments such as interest, dividends, capital gains (1099 Forms) 

What documents might I need to file a 1040- NR?  

• W-2 from employer 

Also required if you received them:  

• 1099- DIV and/or 1099- INT from dividends and interest 
• 1042-S if you received a taxable scholarship  
• Passport information, I-20, I-94, US address, US entry/exit dates 
• Social Security Number 

If you work on campus and have questions about your W-2, please contact Financial Services at 320-308-5961. You may receive a 1098-T from the college, however, non-residents cannot deduct education credits and should ignore this form. For more information, please visit this article: How to Get a Full Tax Refund as an International Student in U.S.

Deadline: April 15th 

• Last year’s return is due by April 15th of the current year.  
• Example: Taxes for 2025 (January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2026) are due by April 15, 2026.

Form 1040 

Who must file?  

Only for international students who were in the United States, earned income, and are considered residents for tax purposes. Use this tool to find out if you are a non-resident for tax purposes

Deadline: April 15th 

Form 8843 

Who must file?  

All international students who were in the United States for 5 calendar years or less, including spouses and dependents, must file Form 8843 separately, even if you didn’t have any income. International students who did earn income must file Form 8843 along with their 1040-NR and Form M1, due April 15th. Students are generally considered residents for tax purposes starting in their 6th year in the United States. To find out if you are a non-resident for tax purposes, please use this tool.    

Deadline: June 15th  

• Form 8843 for last year is due by June 15th of the current year unless you are also filing Form 1040-NR due to earning income. If filing Form 1040-NR AND Form 8843 together, the deadline is April 15th.  

For help with the Form 8843: 

• NoRTH Personalized Guide  
  • Confirm if you need to file this form, and then uses your information to fill it out the IRS Tax Form 8843  
  • Form 8843 Online Wizard 

School information for Part III of Form 8843.  

• Line 9: St. Cloud Technical & Community College, 1540 Northway Dr., St. Cloud, MN, 56303, (800)-222-1009 
• Line 10: Andrew Pflipsen, PDSO, 1540 Northway Dr., St. Cloud, MN, 56303, (800)-222-1009 

Form M1 - State of Minnesota Tax Return 

Who must file?  

Anyone, including non-residents, in United States who earned income in Minnesota and was required to file a federal tax return. Your federal tax returns are required to complete the Form M1 for state returns.  

Deadline: April 15th 

• Last year’s return is due by April 15th of the current year.  
• Example: Taxes for 2025 (January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2026) are due by April 15, 2026.  

For Paper Filing and Mailing Forms (not recommended) 

Mail the completed form to:  

Department of the Treasury 
Internal Revenue Service Center 
Austin, TX 73301-0215 

Students Who Earned Income in the U.S. Last Year 

Complete the following forms: 

• Form 1040-NR or Form 1040 
• Form 8843 (if in the US for 5 calendar years or less) 
• Form M1 (Minnesota)  

Mail federal returns (1040-NR and 8843, or 1040 alone) to:  

Department of the Treasury 
Internal Revenue Service Center 
Austin, TX 73301-0215 

Mail federal AND Minnesota returns (1040-NR or 1040, 8843, and M1) to:  

Minnesota Individual Income Tax 
Mail Station 0010 
600 N. Robert St. 
St. Paul, MN 55146-0010