色中色 (SCC) proudly serves international students from numerous countries around the world. We offer a diverse, inclusive, and equitable learning environment for students pursuing a higher education qualification from a number of available programs (please refer to our Majors and Programs webpage for more information).
SCC has been authorized by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to accept international students who meet admission requirements set by the school and according to the Code of Federal Regulations (8 CFR 214.2). SCC is an SEVP-Certified School. is the program utilized by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to manage the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). is a web-based database used to maintain and share information about nonimmigrant students and exchange visitors in the United States.
Application Requirements
色中色 (SCC) welcomes a variety of student types. For admissions purposes, an international student is defined as:
- An F-1 Student already in the U.S. who is transferring from another SEVP-certified college or university (transfer student). SEVIS status must be 鈥淎ctive鈥 or 鈥淚nitial.鈥 We cannot accept students in 鈥淭erminated鈥 or 鈥淐ompleted鈥 status.
- A Canadian citizen (does not typically require an F-1 visa for U.S. entry) who needs an I-20 from the college or university they plan to attend.
- An eligible nonimmigrant visa holder inside the U.S. who intends to apply to to complete a degree (change-of-status student). Current visa must not be expired or expiring within 60 days. Not all visa holders can change their status to F-1 Student.
Note: If you are inside the U.S. with a different visa (e.g., F-2, H-4) that allows part- or full-time study, you may not need to complete Steps 1鈥5. Instead, please email
International Student Information
Application Process
Required Steps for F-1 International Student Admission
Step 1: Submit
- Log in with your existing StarID and password (if transferring from a Minnesota State college or university), or create a new one.
- Save your StarID and password for future use.
Step 2: Submit
- Provides SEVIS and I-20-related information.
Step 3: Submit
- To be completed by your financial sponsor
- Each sponsor must submit a separate form.
- Each must also provide a separate, notarized bank statement (see Step 5.1).
Step 4: Submit Official U.S. Transcripts
- Non鈥揗innesota State colleges: An official transcript must be sent directly from current/previous colleges:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by mail. - Minnesota State colleges: SCC can retrieve your transcripts if you do not have an unpaid balance hold. SCC cannot admit students with unpaid balance holds.
- High schools (if any): Official transcript must be sent directly from the school.
Step 5: Upload Required Documents
Use the secure (StarID and password login required). Submit the following:
- 5.1 Notarized Bank Statement:
- In English
- No older than 2 months
- From a personal (not business) account (not business), matching the sponsor name on the financial form
- Minimum balance: $23,395.00
- Add $7,000 for the first dependent, and $3,000 for each additional dependent
- Must be notarized, including any supporting bank letters
Note: A notarized bank statement means a notary (third party) attests to seeing the original document.
- 5.2 Non-U.S. Transcripts: Scan or copy of:
- Your high school transcript (required)
- College/university transcripts (if applicable) from outside the U.S.
- 5.3 Passport & Visa:
- Copy of your passport and visa photo pages (not required for Canadian citizens)
- Include the same documents for any dependents listed on your I-20
- 5.4 I-94 Arrival/Departure Record:
- Visit the and click 鈥淕et Most Recent I-94.鈥
- Visit the and click 鈥淕et Most Recent I-94.鈥
- 5.5 Immunization Form:
Download the Fillable PDF/upload when completed- If previously attended a Minnesota State college or university: Complete top section + Part 2
- If not: Complete top section + Part 3
- Vaccination records from home country are not accepted as a substitute.
- 5.6 English Language Proficiency (if applicable):
Required if your country does not use English as an official or instructional language- Accepted scores (sent directly from testing agency):
- : 95+
- : 109+
- : 5.5+
- : 47+
- : Paper 鈥 500+, IBT 鈥 61+
- OR: Completion of a U.S. college English composition course with a grade of C or higher
- Accepted scores (sent directly from testing agency):
Document Uploader Instructions
- Select 色中色 from the 鈥淐urrent College鈥 dropdown
- Select International Students in the 鈥淒epartment鈥 dropdown
- You may upload:
- All documents at once (max 5 MB)
- Or each document separately
Application Deadlines
Transfer Students & Canadian Citizens
- Fall (August) Start: July 1
- Spring (January) Start: November 1
Change-of-Status Students
- Fall (August) Start: May 1
- Spring (January) Start: September 1
Additional Requirements
Understanding Postsecondary Study in the States
- All international students who wish to study in the United States must understand federal regulations regarding . Students must declare a major, and study on a full-time basis for a minimum of 12 credits per semester.
- A minimum of 9 credits must have some in-person learning requirement, and you may not take more than 3 credits in a completely online format each semester toward the requirement.
- It is a student鈥檚 responsibility to research and understand the law regarding F-1 student visas, and students must adhere to these regulations to
Purchasing Student Health Insurance:
- All international students who attend 色中色 (SCC) are required to purchase health insurance, which is currently provided by , per
- The only exception to this rule is if a student is sponsored by their home country (e.g., a Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission (SACM) student). If your home government is sponsoring you to study in the U.S., including purchasing health insurance coverage for you, you must email documentary evidence to:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . - Continuing and fall-admitted students will be billed for health insurance annually (in early July each year) via their student account, and payment is due by July 31 each year. For spring-admitted students, the annual amount is pro-rated and payment is due by December 1.
- Students will have all of their registered courses dropped for nonpayment if health insurance is not paid by established deadlines. Students graduating partway through the insurance coverage period (August 10 - August 9) can request a refund for any unused, unrequired health insurance after the date of graduation.
Next Steps After Admission
After you have been admitted to 色中色 (SCC), you will receive an admissions email from the International Student Office containing:
- A formal letter of admission (鈥淲elcome Letter鈥)
- Information about requesting a SEVIS record transfer (transfer students only)
- Information about applying for a change of status with USCIS (change-of-status students only)
- Information about next steps you need to take as soon as possible, as detailed below:
Next Steps
- Visit the Next Steps After Admission webpage.
- Complete the (for your program area) and answer the quiz questions at the end.
- Login to your SCC Email (use the log-in instructions to set up your SCC email) and secure your account with Multi-Factor Authentication.
- Check the Student Course Placement page to see if you may be required to complete a course placement assessment. You should have received communication from Admissions if this is required.
- . During this session, you will meet with an Academic Advisor to discuss your program, register for classes, and ensure you're ready to go when classes start.
- Pay for your required international student health insurance in full, , unless you have provided evidence that your home country government is fully sponsoring you to attend college/university in the U.S. A pro-rated charge for student health insurance will be added to your student account and helpful information about how to pay will be provided.
If you are transferring to SCC from another Minnesota State Colleges and Universities education institution partway through the academic year and have already paid for a full year of coverage, the International Student Office will arrange a transfer of your existing coverage.
Transferring Postsecondary Credits Obtained Outside the U.S.
To determine U.S. diploma/degree equivalency and transfer foreign postsecondary credits into the U.S. education system, there are a number of organizations that can help. This is a paid service, but it is extremely valuable. The following are two of the most frequently used companies:
P.O. Box 514070
Milwaukee, WI 53203
Phone: 414-289-3400/Fax: 414-289-3411
P.O. Box 745, Old Chelsea Station
New York, NY 10113
Phone: 1-800-937-3895/Fax: 212-739-6100
Working and Maintaining Lawful Status
- On-campus employment laws governing international students are complex. Since nonimmigrant students are ineligible for federal financial aid, traditional 鈥渨ork-study鈥 jobs on campus are not permissible. However, an F-1 student may accept an on-campus job only if the position is funded by departmental or institutional dollars at the college. F-1 students must fully understand and adhere to laws.
- Please visit the webpage and contact the Principal/Designated School Official (P/DSO) at SCC for support with the on-campus employment process.
- Off-campus employment laws governing international students are complex, and students must complete one academic year of study in the U.S. before they are eligible to apply to the U.S. government for work authorization. F-1 students must fully understand and adhere to laws. There are two types of off-campus employment authorization:
- (scroll to F-1 Student Off-Campus section)
- Please visit the webpage and contact the P/DSO at SCC for support with the off-campus employment process.
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a training opportunity that occurs during a student鈥檚 program of study, before graduation, and it must be integral to the school鈥檚 established curriculum. F-1 students must complete one academic year of study in the U.S. before they are eligible for CPT.
- Please visit the webpage and contact the P/DSO at SCC for support with the CPT process.
- Optional Practical Training (OPT) is another practical training opportunity. There are two types of OPT:
- Pre-Completion OPT - occurs before the student graduates
- Post-Completion OPT - occurs after the student graduates
- F-1 students must complete one academic year of study in the U.S. before they are eligible for OPT.
- Please visit the webpage and contact the P/DSO at SCC for support with the OPT process.
- Maintaining lawful F-1 Student status is crucial while studying in the U.S.
- Please visit the webpage and contact the P/DSO at SCC with any questions.
- Transferring schools as an international student is a process that must also adhere to federal law.
- Please visit the webpage and contact the P/DSO at SCC with any questions.
Current Student and Faculty Resources
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Principal Designated School Official (PDSO)

Designated School Official (DSO)
