International Student

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We’re glad you plan to attend Anoka-Ramsey Community College. As an international student, you’ll find we offer many services to help you succeed.

You are an international student if...

You are not a citizen of the United States and live outside the United States
You live in the United States on a non-immigrant F-1 student visa

Get Started as an International Student

1

Apply to Anoka-Ramsey
- Apply online
- Save your StarID and password
- Complete the additional document requirements in the next step to have a complete application
This application contains instruction to apply for admission into Anoka-Ramsey Community College; it does not represent the entirety of U.S. immigration law. For additional information pertaining to international applications, please visit: SEVIS-Student Exchange and Visitor Information System
Apply Now
2

International Admissions Documents

Additional documents must be submitted along with the online application in order for your application to be considered complete. Review steps 3 - 5 for required documentation.

Submit all required documents to:

Anoka-Ramsey Community College
Attn: International Admission
11200 Mississippi Blvd NW
Coon Rapids, Minnesota 55433-3499

To avoid problems or delays in obtaining your Visa and entering the U.S., ensure that all of your immigration documents reflect the same name, exactly as it appears in your passport. Do not use “nicknames” or shortened names on any of your documents, including your passport, I-20, entry visa stamp, I-94 card (completed in the airplane before your arrival) and any additional documents that you acquire after your arrival in the U.S.
3

Academic Record Requirements

F-1 students are required to have completed secondary education. You will need to provide official academic records and exam results from your secondary school.

Documents in a language other than English must be accompanied by English translations from a certified English translation service. Copies of originals are not accepted.

Academic records must demonstrate equivalent grades of “C” or better in a minimum of five academic subjects within a college preparatory tract. Vocational preparatory courses, English, and theological courses may not be used for this requirement.
if you wish to transfer credit from a university outside of the U.S. you must have your transcripts evaluated by an approved academic credentialing agency. Order a “Course by Course” evaluation through one of the companies listed below that provide acceptable evaluations for a fee.

Educational Credential Evaluators
PO Box 514070
Milwaukee, WI 53203
Phone: 414-289-3400
Fax: 414-289-3411
ece.org

World Educational Services
PO Box 745, Old Chelsea Station
New York, NY 10113
Phone: 1-800-937-3895
Fax: 212-739-6100
wes.org
4

English Language Proficiency
Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
Anoka-Ramsey Community College accepts the following options as proof of your English language proficiency.
- Test of English Foreign Language (TOEFL) toefl.org. Anoka-Ramsey's TOEFL code is 6024.
- Michigan Language Assessments michiganassessment.org.
- Educational Services, Inc. (ELS) els.edu.
- Minnesota English Language Program (MELP) at the University of Minnesota.
Students whose home country's official language is English are exempt for the English proficiency requirement.

Official English-speaking countries include: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Cameroon, Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Dominica, England, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland (Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland), Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Montserrat, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Scotland, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, Vanuatu, Wales, Zambia, Zimbabwe
5

Demonstrate Financial Support

Before you can be admitted to Anoka-Ramsey as an international student, you must demonstrate that you have adequate financial means to cover education and living expenses while studying at Anoka-Ramsey.
You must submit a notarized, current, original bank statement showing a balance of at least $26,021.00 in U.S. currency to demonstrate adequate financial support to cover all educational and living expenses while you study at Anoka-Ramsey Community College.

Copies of originals are not accepted. The required $26,021.00 is necessary to fund one academic year of tuition and fees, books, housing, food, transportation, medical insurance, and other expenses.

If you have a sponsor in the U.S., your sponsor must submit an Affidavit of Support (I-134) and a notarized, current, original bank statement showing a balance of at least $26,021.00 in U.S. currency. The bank statement must be in English, certified by a bank official, and not less than two (2) months old at the time of application.

Retain a second set of financial documents to submit to the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services to obtain your F-1 visa.
6

Apply for Entry Visa

After being admitted to Anoka-Ramsey, it is very important to enter the United States (U.S) with the proper Visa. You must apply for an entry Visa stamp in your passport so that you can enter the U.S. in student status. F and J Entry Visas can only be obtained outside of the U.S. at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
1. Pay SEVIS Fee: Most new students must pay the SEVIS fee before applying for an entry Visa or entering the U.S. This fee is assessed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and is not administered by Anoka-Ramsey. For details, visit: fmjfee.com.

2. Locate Nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate: Must be completed in your home country Embassy/consulate information is available at: travel.state.gov.

3. Schedule Appointment for Visa Interview: Your local embassy or consulate has specific instructions for scheduling an appointment. Appointment wait times can be several weeks or longer, especially during summer months. Schedule your appointment as soon as possible after receiving your I-20. Approximate Visa wait times at consular locations can be found at: travel.state.gov.

4. Prepare Documents for Visa Interview: All Visa applicants must provide the following documents to the U.S. embassy or consulate at the time of the interview:

Valid passport

I-20 document

Documented proof of financial support for at least one year

Proof of SEVIS Fee payment (receipt)

Visa application forms (available from U.S. embassy/consulate)

Any other documents requested by your embassy/consulate

5. Practice for Visa Interview

When applying for a non-immigrant Visa, the U.S. Consular Officer interviewing you will assume that you plan to immigrate to the U.S. permanently unless you prove otherwise. During the interview you will need to prove that you will only study temporarily in the U.S. and plan to return home after your studies are completed. Answer all questions truthfully but only provided information related to the question asked.

Be prepared to answer confidently and clearly in English:

Your area of study

Your reason for wanting to study in the U.S.

Proof of sufficient funds and how your funds are able to cover all of your expenses for a minimum of one year.

Your good reasons for returning home after you complete your studies. You must provide evidence where possible of the strong ties you have to your country. It could include having all of your family in your country, having a job offer awaiting you when you return or proof of property ownership. Emphasize specific future educational, employment or career goals that will be carried out in your home country.

Questions?

Our International Admissions Advisor is here to help.

Schedule Appointment

New International Students from outside the U.S.

June 1

Fall semester

Oct. 1

Spring semester

Transfer International students from within the U.S.

July 1

Fall semester

Nov. 1

Spring semester

Exceptions to the application deadline for international transfer students may be reconsidered on a case-by-case basis.

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Visa Transfers

You are considered a Transfer Student if you currently hold an F-1 status at another institution in the U.S. and now wish to be degree seeking at Anoka-Ramsey. Your SEVIS record must be transferred to Anoka-Ramsey.

You must complete all requirements to become an international student.

Instructions for Transferring Your F-1 Visa to Anoka-Ramsey

Request a Transfer Release form from the International Admissions Office
Complete section 1 of the Transfer Release form. Include your mailing address outside of the U.S. if you plan to travel outside of the U.S. before beginning your program at Anoka-Ramsey.
Contact the international student advising office at your previous school and inform them of your intent to transfer.
Your international student adviser must:
- Complete section #2 of the Transfer Release form
- Mail, fax or email a scanned copy of the Transfer Release form to International Admissions. Directions are located on the form.
- Electronically send your Visa record to Anoka-Ramsey after you finish classes at that school. The designated school official (DSO) at the school you transfer from must transfer the Visa record.

NOTE: The Anoka-Ramsey Admissions Office cannot process an I-20 before your Visa record has been transferred to Anoka-Ramsey.

Canadian Citizens

Canadian citizens are eligible to enter the U.S. without obtaining an entry Visa in their passport. However, Canadian citizens must obtain an I-20 and pay the SEVIS fee before entering the U.S. Upon entry, You must present your passport, I-20, proof of financial support for at least one year and proof of SEVIS fee payment.

Visa Denials

If your Visa is denied, ask the consular officials to provide you with a written explanation of the denial, then contact Anoka-Ramsey Admissions. Email admissions@anokaramsey.edu, write “Visa Denial” in the subject line, and include your Student ID number and your name in the email.

Security Clearance Checks

Many Visa applicants are subject to additional security clearance checks that will delay the issuance of your visa by one to two months. This is NOT a denial. Most applicants who are subject to clearance will eventually receive the Visa. You cannot prevent a security clearance, nor can Anoka-Ramsey intervene to speed up the process.

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International Student

You are an international student if...

How to Apply

Apply to Anoka-Ramsey

International Admissions Documents

Academic Record Requirements

English Language Proficiency

Demonstrate Financial Support

Apply for Entry Visa

Questions?