Step 1 - Complete Application

Complete your application online here and follow the instructions to pay the $20 non-refundable application fee.

Step 2 – Submit Transcripts

Send high school transcript/marks sheet and college transcripts to international@northern.edu. If necessary, include a copy that has been professionally translated into English.

Please refer to the Transfer Student page if you are a transfer student.
Mailed official transcripts are required upon admission.

Step 3 - Submit Test Score

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)
• Duolingo (90 or above)
• SAT (970 or above) School Code #6487
• ACT (18 or above) School Code #3169

Step 4 – Additional Documents

Please submit a copy of your biographic passport page.

Please submit a Declaration of Finances form and the corresponding bank statement. This is a federal requirement proving your ability to financially support your education at Northern State University. 

Please submit the following Immunization form.

Step 5 – Application Evaluation

Once you have submitted an NSU undergraduate application and the required documents, your international admissions counselor will review your complete application. If accepted, you will receive an NSU acceptance letter. 

Step 6 – VISA Compliance 

Once you have received an NSU acceptance letter, you will also receive a Form I-20 Immigration Document and instructions on scheduling an F-1 Student VISA appointment at your nearest United States Embassy or Consulate.

Additional Steps to Consider

Your international admissions counselor will communicate instructions on completing NSU Virtual HOWL, registering for courses, and completing the housing application. Health insurance is a requirement for all international students at Northern. Northern’s International Programs will send out communication regarding mandatory health insurance enrollment. Additionally, Northern’s International Programs holds a mandatory International Student Orientation before the start of every semester (Fall and Spring). If this is your first semester at Northern, you are required to be in attendance for orientation in its entirety. Dates for Northern’s International Student Orientation will be communicated to all incoming international students months prior to the start of the semester.

• Link to housing application here
• Link to explore meal plans here 

2025-2026 International Degree-Seeking Informational Sheet
 

For all international exchange students and information on Northern State University’s Exchange Program, click here. 

Admission Requirements

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.

Transferring

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.