Start your journey here.
International degree-seeking and transfer students - read about Northern in your language!
Complete your application online here and follow the instructions on how to pay the $20 non-refundable application fee.
Take one of the following academic or English proficiency tests and ask the testing center to send your results to Northern State University.
TOEFL IBT (61-70 or above) School Code #6487
IELTS (5.5 or above)
SAT (970 or above) School Code #6487
ACT (18 or above) School Code #3169
Send high school transcript/marks sheet to international@northern.edu. If necessary, include a copy that has been professionally translated to English.
Mailed official transcripts are required upon admission.
If admitted to Northern, you will complete a Declaration of Finances.
Proving your financial ability to support your program is a requirement to obtain an I-20 Form of Eligibility for the F1 Student Visa.
Contact your home university coordinator and fill out all necessary home university application forms. Completed applications will be processed in the order they are received. Note that the application process is approximately 2-4 weeks long.
Complete the following NSU forms:
Exchange Student Application Form
Immunization form
Declaration of Finances Form and bank statement (showing proof of funds)
Online Housing Application and $75 room deposit.
Then, upload your English official transcript of university courses.
Send your completed application packet to:
Office of International Programs
Box 1082
Northern State University
1200 South Jay Street
Aberdeen, South Dakota, USA 57401-7198
Your home university coordinator will receive your acceptance letter, finance guarantee statement and I-20 document. Apply for a student visa at the U.S. Embassy in your country. Pay all the fees associated with the visa process. Email your travel schedule so we can arrange to pick you up at the airport.
Transfer students with 24 or more credit hours are eligible for admission if they have a cumulative college grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher, and are in good standing with the most recently attended college or university. High school performance will also be considered for applicants with fewer than 24 credit hours. Each applicant is considered on an individual basis.
If you are transferring from a South Dakota public university (BHSU, USD, SDSU, DSU or SDSM&T) and have attended within the past three semesters (including summer) there is no application fee and no need to send transcripts.
Northern offers high-quality education at a reasonable cost.
Check out our meal plans to see your options!
Take a look at our three new residence halls!
EducationUSA is a network of advising centers in 170 countries, where millions of international students each year find accurate, comprehensive, and current information about how to apply to accredited U.S. colleges and universities.
The EducationUSA network is supported by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), and they assist international students with researching options, finding financial aid, applying to schools, applying for a student visa, and preparing for departure to the United States.