International Students

Understanding Postsecondary Study in the States

• All international students who wish to study in the United States must understand federal regulations regarding F-1 Postsecondary Study. 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 Full Course of Study requirement.
• It is a student’s responsibility to research and understand the law regarding F-1 student visas, and students must adhere to these regulations to maintain status.

Purchasing Student Health Insurance:

• All international students who attend South Central College (SCC) are required to purchase health insurance, which is currently provided by United Healthcare Student Resources, per Minnesota State Colleges and Universities policy (5.B.2.).
• 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: InternationalStudents@southcentral.edu.
• Continuing and fall-admitted students will be billed for health insurance in July each year, and payment is due by July 31. For spring-admitted students, the insurance amount is pro-rated (for Spring and Summer coverage the first year, with annual coverage thereafter), and payment is due before initial course registration.
• Payment can be made using Student eServices or at the Campus Store on either campus.
• 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.

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:

Educational Credential Evaluators
P.O. Box 514070
Milwaukee, WI 53203
Phone: 414-289-3400/Fax: 414-289-3411

World Educational Services
P.O. Box 745, Old Chelsea Station
New York, NY 10113
Phone: 1-800-937-3895/Fax: 212-739-6100 

• On-campus employment laws governing international students are complex. Since nonimmigrant students are ineligible for federal financial aid, traditional “work-study” 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 employment laws.
  • Please visit the Working in the United States 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 employment laws. There are two types of off-campus employment authorization:
  • Special Student Relief
  • Severe Economic Hardship (scroll to F-1 Student Off-Campus section)
  • Please visit the Working in the United States 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’s program of study, before graduation, and it must be integral to the school’s 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 F-1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT) 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 Optional Practical Training (OPT) for F-1 Students 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 maintaining status 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 Transferring to Another School webpage and contact the P/DSO at SCC with any questions.

• Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Application
• Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Faculty/Dean Verification
• Health Insurance for Students on OPT Form
• I-20 Extension Form
• International Student Concurrent Enrollment Form
• International Student Financial Form
• International Student Resources Course on D2L Brightspace (StarID & Password login required)
• International Student Transfer-Out Form
• Optional Practical Training (OPT) Recommendation
• Reduced Course Load Form