Begin by completing the online application. Don’t forget to pay the $35 application fee!

Provide a clear, valid copy of your passport. This helps us verify your identity and nationality.

High School Transcripts (Secondary)

• If your high school education was completed outside the United States, your academic credentials must be evaluated by an approved credential evaluation service. This evaluation helps determine your eligibility for admission to NDSCS.
• Exemptions may apply if you’ve completed an Associate, Bachelor’s, or Doctoral degree evaluated by an approved service or have successfully completed 24 or more credits from a U.S. Institution. 

College Transcripts (Post-Secondary) 

• If you have attended a college or university outside the United States, your transcripts must be evaluated by an approved credential evaluation service. 

Evaluation Providers: 

The evaluation service must be conducted by Foreign Credential Services of America (FCSA), a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE). NDSCS recommends using World Education Services (WES) or Span Tran. 

1. World Education Services 

• Approximate costs range from $160-$210, depending on the type of evaluation, translation and processing time selected.
• Website: https://www.wes.org/ 

2. The Evaluation Company 

• Approximate costs range from $95 to $270, depending on the type of evaluation, translation, and processing time selected.
• Website: http://www.evalcompany.com 

You may also use any member of the following organizations: 

• National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES)
  • Website: www.naces.org
• Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE)
  • Website: www.aice-eval.org 

Important Notes: 

• It is the applicant’s responsibility to arrange and pay for the evaluation.
• There is no guarantee that your credits will transfer after the evaluation.

If English is not your native language, you’ll need to show us that you have the language skills to succeed in your studies. You can do this in one of the following ways: 

• Two Years of Study in the U.S: If you’ve completed at least two years of study in good standing at a U.S. high school or an accredited U.S. college/university, you meet our English proficiency requirement.
• U.S. GED: If you’ve earned a U.S. General Education Diploma (GED) in English, you’ve satisfied the English requirement.
• College Composition Courses: If you’ve completed College Composition I and College Composition II (or equivalent courses) at a regionally accredited U.S. college/university with a grade of A or B, you’ve met the requirement.
• Placement Scores 
       • ACT: English subtest score of 18 or higher 
       • SAT: Writing score of 430 or higher 
       • ACCUPLACER Next Gen Writing: Score of 256 or higher 
       • TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) 
                 o You can submit your TOEFL score with a minimum of 70 on the internet-based test. Request your score and use NDSCS’s code 6476. 
       • Duolingo: Score of 100 or higher

All documentation must contain the student's first & last name, date of birth and date of each vaccination. Documentation also must show the source of the record (i.e. health organization) or include a health care provider's signature to be accepted. All documents must be translated into English. 

• MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella):
• Meningitis (Meningococcal)
• Tuberculosis Screening 
       o Tuberculosis (TB) testing is required of students who have lived in or traveled to a country for more than             30 days that is classified by United States health officials as high burden for tuberculosis. 
       o Required to submit a negative two step TB test, or a chest x-ray indicating no active disease. Testing                   must be done after entry to the United States. 

Click HERE for Immunization Requirements for All Students

Submit the Financial Responsibility Statement along with proof of sufficient funds to cover your anticipated educational and living expenses. Acceptable documents include bank statements or financial support letters.

Financial Responsibility Statement (Wahpeton)

Financial Responsibility Statement (Fargo)

The North Dakota University System (NDUS) is pleased to offer health insurance coverage to international NDUS students through United Healthcare Student Resources (UHCSR). International students from all countries, except Canada and Norway, are automatically enrolled by semester in the student health insurance plan by their institution. A student may opt-in to NDUS health insurance coverage prior to automatic enrollment to expedite confirmation of coverage. The premium cost is billed to the international student’s campus connection account. If an international student wants to waive this health insurance coverage, comparable coverage must be in place and verified through the waiver process.

After receiving your I-20, you must pay the SEVIS (I-901) fee. This fee helps cover the costs of maintaining the SEVIS system, which tracks international students and exchange visitors in the U.S. You can pay the fee online on the U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) website. 

• Visit the ICE website.
• You’ll need your I-20 form to complete the payment.
• After paying, you’ll receive a confirmation receipt. Make sure to keep it for your records, as you’ll need it for your visa interview.

After paying the SEVIS fee, you can schedule your F-1 student visa interview at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in your country. When scheduling, make sure you have: 

• Your I-20 form
• Proof of SEVIS payment (I-901 fee receipt)
• Valid passport
• Other documents requested by the embassy (such as financial proof and admission letter)

Bring all required documents to your visa interview, including: 

• Your passport
• Your I-20 form
• Your SEVIS fee payment receipt (I-901)
• Financial proof showing you have enough funds to cover educational and living expenses o Any other documents requested by the embassy

During the interview, the consular officer will ask questions to ensure you meet the requirements for a student visa. If approved, you’ll receive your F-1 student visa.

Once you receive your visa, you can start planning your travel to the U.S.! 

Keep in mind: 

• You can enter the U.S. no more than 30 days before the start date on your I-20 form.
• Make sure to bring your I-20, passport, visa, and any other important documents with you when you travel.

When you arrive in the U.S., you’ll go through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Be prepared to show your: 

• Passport
• I-20 form
• F-1 visa
• SEVIS fee payment receipt (I-901)