International Students After Acceptance (Draft)
International Students who have been admitted to Ridgewater College will need to complete additional steps to request an I-20 and apply for a student visa. Check out what needs to be done for International Student Admissions here.
Requesting an I-20
Section titled “Requesting an I-20”Your admission letter included a link to your New Student Portal. Please follow the steps within the portal to upload required documentation as part of your I-20 request. This request may only be completed AFTER you have been admitted to Ridgewater College. Forms submitted prior to admission will not be processed.
To log into the portal, you will use your StarID@minnstate.edu and password.
Required Documentation in New Student Portal
Section titled “Required Documentation in New Student Portal”Student Exchange Visitor Program Information
This is a form that international students will complete to ensure Ridgewater College has accurate information to enter into the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) when creating an I-20 for eligible students. Requested information includes academic intent, address confirmation, citizenship status, country of nationality, and country of permanent residence. International students will also upload copies of their passport and any visa information if they are currently in the United States.
Emergency Contacts
This is a short form that international students will complete so that Ridgewater College has someone to reach in case of an emergency involving the international student.
Reference Letters
Ridgewater College requires two letters of recommendation (in English) from people who will endorse you as a good citizen who would benefit from a college experience and can speak to your academic talents. Examples are former teachers, friends, and public officials.
Upload Financial Documentation
International students are responsible for all educational and personal expenses for the duration of their F-1 status at Ridgewater College. To issue an I-20, which is needed to obtain an F-1 student visa, Ridgewater College is required by the U.S. government to maintain records that you have the funds necessary to cover your tuition, fees, and living expenses for at least your first year of study. If you bring your spouse or other dependents with you to the U.S., you must also demonstrate that you have the funds necessary to cover those costs.
| Expense | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees (12 credits for 2 semesters = 24 credits) | $5,725.68 |
| Room and Board (off-campus housing 9 months) | $11,000.00 |
| International Student Health Insurance | $3,000.00 |
| Books & Supplies | $1,300.00 |
| Miscellaneous Personal Expense | $2,500.00 |
| Total | $23,525.68 |
| Dependents: An additional $5,500 is needed if you are bringing a spouse and $2,700 for each child. |
The estimate of undergraduate tuition and fees is based on 12 credits per semester (24 credits per year). To maintain valid F-1 student VISA status, an international student must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credits pers semester (24 credits per year) to be considered full-time.
Source of Funds
Section titled “Source of Funds”You must submit a bank statement showing a balance of $23,525.68 in U.S. currency to demonstrate adequate financial support.
An additional $5,500 is required if you are bringing a spouse and an additional $2,700 is required for each child.
Bank statements must be originals, photocopies, scanned copies, or faxed documents printed on bank letterhead and certified with the bank’s stamp or seal. We reserve the right to verify authenticity.
Bank statements must be dated within 6 months from the application date.
If English is not the language in which the bank documents are issued, the bank documents must be accompanied by a certified, literal English translation.
If the Bank Statements are in the name of a financial sponsor, use this template of indicating their willingness to support your financial obligations and submit to the document upload.
Pay SEVIS Fee
Once you receive your I-20, please review the spelling and order of your name and confirm that it matches exactly how your name is written at the bottom of the identity page in your passport.
If everything is correct, sign and date your name on the bottom of your I-20.
New students are required to pay the I-901 Fee that is charged by the Department of Homeland Security before you can apply for your F-1 visa or enter the U.S.
Please print out a copy of your receipt and keep with your I-20.
Apply for Visa interview
In order to schedule a visa appointment, your will need to complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (DS-160).
When completing your visa application, write your legal name exactly as it is printed in your passport and provide complete and truthful information throughout your application. If you do not have housing yet in the U.S. you can use Ridgewater’s address (2101 15th Ave NW, Willmar, MN 56201 or 2 Century Ave SE, Hutchinson, MN 55350).
You should plan to apply for a visa at the U.S. embassy/consulate that is closest to where you live. This website also includes specific instructions for scheduling an appointment.
We recommend scheduling your appointment as soon as possible after you receive your I-20. You will need to determine the estimated waiting time for obtaining a visa at your local embassy or consulate.
If you are not able to schedule a visa appointment before the beginning of the semester, you will need to contact Ridgewater College about deferring your program to the next semester.
For your visa interview, you will need to prepare the following:
- Valid passport
- I-20
- Admission Letter
- Proof of Financial Support (same as you used to obtain your I-20)
- Receipt of SEVIS I-901 Fee payment
- Visa application form (available from the U.S. embassy/consulate)
- Any documents requested by the embassy/consulate
The visa interview will be a very brief meeting with a consular officer. Be prepared to explain why you want to study at Ridgewater College, how you are planning to pay for your stay, and what your plans might be after you graduate. Always answer truthfully!
If you have questions or concerns before the visa interview, we recommend that you contact the EducationUSA office closest to you. Once you receive your F-1 visa, check the accuracy of the information on it. Contact the U.S. embassy or consulate if you find a mistake.
Some visa applicants are subject to additional screening that will delay the issuance of the visa. The is NOT always a final denial. Most applicants who are subject to administrative processing or a security clearance check will receive their visa within a few months. There is nothing you nor Ridgewater College can do to prevent nor speed up the process.
Make Travel Arrangements
For your carry-on bag we recommend you pack your I-20, passport with visa, boarding pass(es), a change of clothing, something to read, snacks, headphones, toothbrush/toothpaste, and important medications.
Keep with you at all times:
- Passport (keep a photocopy in your carry-on luggage)
- I-20 (keep an additional photocopy in your carry-on luggage)
- Acceptance Letter
- Airline boarding pass(es)
- Emergency contact information (your family, Ridgewater College, etc.)
- Prescriptions
- U.S. Currency to pay for initial expenses; bank draft account information and/or credit card for tuition, fees, housing payments, etc.
- If you choose to bring large amounts of money with you, we recommend that you carry traveler’s checks rather than cash. Do not carry money in your luggage; always keep it on your person.
Check in with your airline 72 hours prior to departure, 24 hours prior to departure, and just before leaving for your airport.
Ridgewater College Campuses are at a distance from the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Students can arrange transportation via:
- Jefferson Lines offers bus travel from MSP Airport to Willmar
- Private shuttle services such as:
- Groome Transportation
- CityWide (MSP to Willmar and Hutchinson available)
- West Metro Shuttle (MSP to Hutchinson available)
- Rideshare Services such as Uber and Lyft (not all drivers are willing to make the extended drive, costs vary)
Complete any other steps as part of your New Student Checklist
For any questions, please reach out to the Ridgewater contact below.