International Student Services

For complete instructions, please visit our Application webpage.

On-campus employment opportunities for international students are limited and not guaranteed. Students can find open positions on the Minneapolis College Job Bank. The hiring cycle coincides with the transition between terms (August, December/January and May. Students can make an appointment to get help from Career Services (T.2500) with resume and cover letter writing if necessary.

Eligibility

• Active F-1 status. 
• Enrolled as a full time student at Minneapolis College.
• F-1 students must apply for a Social Security card after receiving a job offer and complete all paperwork with Human Resources before starting the position.

Hours/Limitations

• F-1 and J-1 students can work on-campus for a maximum of 20 hours/week during the fall and spring semesters. During summer and school vacations student may work up to 40 hours/week.

Off Campus Employment options: Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

CPT allows a student to work in a job directly to the student’s major area of study before degree completion.

Eligibility 

• Active F-1 status
• Completed one academic year (2 semesters)
• Must be a currently enrolled in an internship class (at least 1 credit) that is a part of the program curriculum.
• Must obtain a job or internship directly related to current field of study
• Can be paid or unpaid employment
• Must receive authorization (including job offer letter) from International Student Advisor (who will print a new I-20) before beginning employment.
• Can be Part Time (20 hours a week or less) or Full Time (over 20 hours a week)
• Eligibility for OPT is void if student completes 2 semesters of Full Time CPT.

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

OPT must also be directly related to the student’s major area of study. Most students who take advantage of OPT apply for Post-Completion OPT, and work full time after graduation, but some will choose to apply for Pre-Completion OPT and work while attending classes. Pre completion OPT is limited to 20 hours a week or less during the Fall and Spring semesters.

• The I-765 application with USCIS for the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) which requires a 3-4 month processing period.

Eligibility

• Active F-1 status
• Completed one academic year (2 semesters)
• Apply for post completion OPT no more than 90 days before your program end date and no later than 55 days after your program end date.
• No offer letter is required for the OPT application but students on OPT cannot exceed 90 days of unemployment during the 12 month OPT authorized period.
• To apply: Meet with International Student Advisor (T.2500) to go over the US Customs and Immigration Services I-765 application for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) or work permit which requires a 3-4 month processing period.

Off Campus Employment Options: Economic Hardship

This option is very limited and only for students in their second year of studies whose funding disappears due to unforeseen circumstances. Inquire with the International Student Advisor to discuss eligibility.

Your visa status refers to your ability to follow the regulations of the F-1 visa, outlined by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program and tracked by your school’s Designated School Official through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).

It is your responsibility to maintain F-1 student status.

In order to Maintain Status, it is important to make sure you:

• Have a valid passport- If your passport is expiring in the next 6 months, start the process to apply for a new passport through the nearest embassy or consulate.
• Attend classes at the school that issued your I-20
• Are enrolled in a full course of study (12 credits) during academic year (Fall and Spring semesters)
• Meet the minimum 9 or more credits in-person or blended/hybrid credits (must still meet 12 credit minimum)
• Students must make normal progress toward graduation and avoid being placed on academic suspension by making sure your Grade Point Average or GPA is at least a 2.0. (C average) and you complete at least 67 percent of the courses you attempt. 
• International Students may not fall below 12 credits at any time during the semester. At times, instructor will request the Records Office to drop a student from a course in the middle of a semester due to a lack of attendance/participation. To avoid an administrative drop by your instructor, attend classes regularly, participate and submit coursework in a timely manner, ask for help and communicate with your instructor if you are struggling or get sick.  Should you figure out that a professor dropped your enrollment from a course and you now have less than 12 credits for the semester, contact the International Student Advisor in T.2500 as soon as possible.
• Students must also follow all employment regulations. Working off campus without authorization will result in losing active visa status. Please see the International Student Employment Options section above for more information

As a member of Minnesota State, Minneapolis College must abide by the policy from the system office for international student health insurance. International students must purchase the system-approved student health insurance, per the Minnesota State policy (the applicable section of the policy [Part 5 Subpart B] is copied below.)  You can also download the full Minnesota State policy.

Subpart B. Economic Self-Sufficiency.

1. Prior to being admitted to a college or university, an international student must demonstrate economic self-sufficiency to be able to afford the costs of tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, transportation, and any other costs necessary (such as health insurance) for the completion of the academic year.
2. International students must purchase the system-approved student health insurance, (United Healthcare Student Resources) except those students whose sponsoring agency or government certifies that the student is covered under a plan provided by the sponsoring agency or government.

Therefore, students may have supplemental insurance such as employer insurance, spousal insurance, state insurance (if applicable), but they must still maintain the UHCSR policy while attending with an F1- or J1- visa. If you have questions on who qualifies as a government sponsor or agency, please contact Keswic Joiner, Director of Risk Management at the Minnesota State system office or call 651-201-1778

Payment information for United Healthcare Student Resources

The policy year starts in August of each year and lasts until the following August. If you are beginning classes at Minneapolis College in the Fall, you will see the charge for insurance premium for the full year on your Fall tuition statement. If you are beginning classes you will see the charge for January-August on your Spring tuition statement.

Payment must be made in full before Minneapolis College can enroll you in the policy.

Please prioritize paying for insurance before paying tuition. It is NOT possible to add the insurance, but it is possible to arrange to pay tuition via the monthly payment plan offered by the Minneapolis College Business Office. Tuition ONLY can be paid monthly. Once the premium is paid, Minneapolis College ISS will enroll you in the insurance policy. The insurance coverage will be retroactive to the first day of the policy year in August (for new Fall students) or January 1 (for new Spring students).

United Healthcare Student Resources (UHCSR) Account Access Instructions

To access your account: go to visit the United Healthcare website OR Download the App: search “uhc studentresources” in your appstore.

To create an account (new students) go to visit the United Healthcare website and click “Login to My Account” on the top right corner, and then click on “create account” and enter in your information.

See below for an example. (We recommend creating your account with your student ID as shown, rather than the email or SR ID.)

Then you will create a username and password. Please save this password for later. You will need it.

Once you get to the Dashboard/Homepage of your student account, you can view more information about the policy, print off your insurance card (or request the company send you one in the mail) and more. Please note: Your insurance card will NOT automatically arrive in the mail: you must request it in your account.

To search for a healthcare provider that is in the UHCSR network:

• Visit the United Healthcare website
• Click on “Medical” or “Behavioral” under “Find providers”. (Only choose Dental if you have purchased the optional Dental Plan, see below)
• Click “Change Location” to type in desired zip code (55_ _ _) to search near the school (55403) or near your home. Many students click on the box “places” to find a primary care clinic. 

What to bring to the clinic: insurance card or printout, or your phone with the UHC student resources app downloaded.

Using your insurance account after the visit to the clinic, you can view the claims processed by the clinic through your insurance and any messages from the insurance company regarding your policy. Please sign in on a computer because the app will not have the option to view messages or the claims records.

Other Useful Health Insurance Information:

• UHCSR customer service: 1-888-251-6243 or contact customer service.
• Click below to access the information regarding the 2019-2020 policy.
• Download the Minnesota State Student Insurance Plan - 2019-2020 Brochure
  Refunds: Refunds are available for students graduating in December and not continuing studies at a Minnesota State University. The amount of the refund prorated from the date of completion until the end of the policy year. A paper check will be mailed 4-6 weeks after the refund request is submitted. Please find the refund form below complete your section, and submit the form to the International Student Advisor, who will approve the form and submit it to UHCSR.
• Download the Insurance Refund Request Form
• Download the Insurance powerpoint PDF from most recent orientation.

Dental Insurance Information

Dental Insurance is NOT mandatory but it is also NOT included to the main insurance plan and must be purchased directly from United Health Care Student Resources or other insurance provider. Minneapolis College does not gather payment for the Dental Plan through eservices because it is optional.

The dental plan can be added to your insurance through UHCSR by downloading the form below, writing a check for the amount on the form, and mailing both directly to the insurance company.

Search for the UHCSR network dental care providers on the UHCSR.com/Minnesota website by clicking “Dental” in the drop-down menu under “Find Providers”.

Dental Plan information number: 1 800-980-5213.

Tuition is due after you register for classes.

• Payment Policy for International Students

Please prioritize paying for health insurance first before paying tuition. To do this, please pay $300 of your tuition to stay registered.

Next, pay the health insurance fee. You can use a monthly payment plan to pay the rest of your tuition while you attend the classes.

The following are payment options for our international students:

1. Flywire: a global leader in payment services accepted by Minneapolis College to process payments from outside the U.S. Visit the Flywire Payment Link for access.

Visit the Making Your Payment webpage for information on the following other options:

2. Online through eservices
3. In person or by mail
4. Enroll in an automated or monthly payment plan.

Please note that Financial Aid is not available for international students.

If you need to travel outside the U.S. and have an expired U.S. entry visa, a new entry visa may be required to re-enter the U.S. Even if you do not have immediate plans to travel outside the U.S. and the visa stamp in your passport is expired, you may still want to renew your visa. Student visas cannot be renewed within the United States.

If you need to renew your visa to re-enter the U.S., you must apply in person to a U.S. Consulate or Embassy. These offices are only located outside of the United States and they hold regular office hours.

• There may be significant delays before a visa application is approved. Applications should be submitted to the U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as possible.
• Many U.S. embassies/consulates require pre-arranged appointments.
• Check the embassy/consulate website or contact the post directly for information on scheduling.

There may be a need for a security clearance before a visa will be granted. Whether you will need a security clearance will depend upon your nationality, country of citizenship, countries visited in the past and your field of study or expertise. The security clearance will minimally take 20 days and may take as long as 6 months.

For an F non-immigrant visa application, the embassy or consulate minimally requires:

• A SEVIS-generated I-20 that accurately reflects the degree program, major and financial resources and contains a valid reentry signature on page 3
• Financial support documentation
• A transcript from each school attended in the U.S.
• Evidence of a student's intent to return home upon the completion of studies in the U.S.
• Employment Authorization Document (EAD) if authorized Optional Practical Training
• A visa application (form DS-156 and DS-158) and fee. There is a supplemental application (DS-157) that must be completed by all male visa applicants between the ages of 16 and 45.
• It is also recommended that students present a letter from his/her international student advisor that states s/he has maintained good progress toward completion of their educational program, etc.

For more information and to view the applications visit here.

All international students must file taxes. Each year the deadline to file taxes is 15 April (or the following Monday, if it falls on a Saturday or Sunday.)

If you did not work or receive any income in the United States for the previous calendar year, you are legally obligated to file the Form 8843. If you worked or received a stipend, grant or allowance in the United States, you may also need to file the Form 1040NR-EZ. (The NR stands for Non-Resident.)

Many students opt to use Sprintax, the leading software available to international students to complete the 1040NR-EZ. Please note there is a fee for the services through Sprintax (approximately $40-50) but discounts are available through the International Student Advisor.

Please Note: The International Student Advisor is not a tax expert and cannot advise students on how to complete the tax forms.

What documents do I need to file taxes?

• For the Form 8843: See the online wizard (guide).

For the Form 1040NR-EZ:

• Visa/immigration Status Information
• Current and all previous passports
• Form I-20)
• Current U.S. address and/or Foreign Permanent Address
• U.S. Entry and Exit Dates for current and past visits to the U.S.

You may also receive one or more of the following documents in the mail :

• Form W-2: Wage and Tax Statement from Minneapolis College’s Payroll Office and/or your CPT/OPT employer if you received compensation for your work.
• Form 1042-S: Foreign Person’s U.S. Source Income Subject to Withholding from Minneapolis College’s Business Office if you have received scholarships in excess of tuition and mandatory fees charged to your student account.
• Form 1099 series reporting various types of your income other than wages, salaries, and tips- a common case is your interest income report from your financial institution.
• Form 1095 Proof of insurance from health insurance company. UHCSR policy holders generally receive this via email unless you request a paper copy sent via regular mail.

If you have questions about your Form W-2 from Minneapolis College, please refer your questions to the Business Office. If you have questions about your Form 1042-S from Minneapolis College, please refer your questions to the Business Office. The best way to contact them is to submit your question to ASK US!

Am I considered a Non-Resident Alien or Resident Alien for Tax Purposes?

Most of you are Non-Resident Aliens for Tax Purposes UNLESS you have been in F or J status during any part of more than 5 calendar years. Here is more information if you wish NOT to be treated as a Resident Alien for tax purposes.

This status is for tax purposes only. Please do NOT mix this with your immigration status. All international students are non-immigrant, non-resident aliens for immigration purposes.

What tax form should I use?

Resident Alien
I have W-2, 1042-S, or 1099 form(s)

• Form 1040-EZ (Instruction) with no dependent or Form 1040 (Instruction) with dependents

I DO not have W-2, 1042-S, or 10992 form(s)

• None

If you are considered a resident alien with W-2, 1042-S, or 1099 form(s), you must file 1040-EZ or 1040. An online service is TurboTax. Please do research and find a tax service that best fits your need.

Where should I send my tax forms?

Electronic filing is encouraged for Form 1040NR-EZ. If using Sprintax, the address will be provided at the end of the process. If you are sending Form 8843 only or with Form 1040 series, mail them to:

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

More Resources

• IRS webpage on Tax Issues for Foreign Students and Scholars.
• U.S. Dep. of Homeland Security’s webpage on F-1 and M-1 Students: Obtaining a Social Security Number.
• U.S. Social Security Administration’s webpage on Social Security Information for on-Citizens.

The I-20 should be signed each time you leave the U.S. and want to reenter. You will make an appointment to see your international student advisor in T.2500 at least one full month before your scheduled travel date. In some cases, the international student advisor will need to endorse your I-20 on page 3 so that you can reenter the U.S.; in others, it may be necessary to prepare a new I-20 for you. The signature is typically good for one year of travel unless you have graduation and are now on post-completion practical training, in which case it is only good for 6 months.

Every F-1 student or F-2 dependent will need to present these documents to reenter the U.S.:

• Properly endorsed and valid I-20 form
• Evidence of financial support
• Valid passport with a valid U.S. entry visa stamp
• All previously issued I-20's to document your F-1 history in the U.S.
• Employment Authorization Document and proof of employment if you are in engaged in optional practical training after completion of studies

Please submit questions, forms and other documentation to the International Student Advisor.

List of downloadable PDFs (fillable and accessible)

• Reduced Course Load Form
• Curricular Practical Training Application
• ISS Drop Withdrawal Form
• Exit F-1 International Status Form

List of online forms:

• I-539 USCIS Application for reinstatement
• I-765 USCIS Optional Practical Training Application