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There is a list of required documents to complete the undergraduate application process. Applicants have the option to send copies of the required documents to receive the acceptance packet. However, it is critical for us to have all documents in the original copies eventually to complete the students’ files. Review the the list of undergraduate admissions required material to start the application process as an undergraduate applicant. 

There is a list of required documents to complete the graduate application process. Applicants have the option to send copies of the required documents to receive the acceptance packet. However, it is critical for us to have all documents in the original copies eventually to complete the students’ files. To start the application process as a graduate applicant review the graduate admission and application information provided by the Graduate Studies office.

Costs to attend MSU Billings as international student are very reasonable compared with other U.S. Universities, and all international students, once admitted, qualify for a number of University scholarships and may also be eligible for paid campus work study opportunities.

Undergraduate Admission

If English is not your native language, you will need to provide adaquate test scores in order to be eligible for university-level course admission. MSU Billings accepts various tests. Please visit English Proficiency for Undergraduate Applicants to review the tests and necessary scores for undergraduate admission.

¾ÅÒ»Â鶹ÖÆƬ³§ TOEFL institution code is 4298.

Graduate Admission

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) iBT (Internet-based test): 79

IELTS (International English Language Testing System): 6.5

However, students who do not yet have the required English proficiency could be conditionally admitted to MSU Billings as an Intensive English Language Program student. Once graduated from the program, students will be able to start pursuing their degrees without taking TOEFL or IELTS.

MSU Billings does offer provisional admission to students who do not have the required English proficiency. The Intensive English Language Program (IELP) develops your English language skills while preparing for success in college. 

Over 120 degree programs are available for new international students, transfer students & students from partnering universities to earn an MSU Billings associate, bachelor's or master's degree. Programs are offered at the undergraduate and graduate degree level.

All international students, once admitted, qualify for a number of University scholarships including the International Student Yellowstone Scholarship. International students may also be eligible for paid campus employment opportunities.

• Fall Semester Incoming: July 15th
• Spring Semester Incoming: November 15th

Maintaining F-1 status means following the rules and requirements associated with your student status, including maintaining the required course load, making normal academic progress, following employment restrictions, keeping your immigration documents valid, and reporting required changes to OIS.

F-1 students must generally maintain a full course of study. At ¾ÅÒ»Â鶹ÖÆƬ³§, undergraduate students generally need 12 credits and graduate students generally need 9 credits, subject to applicable exceptions.

You should always speak with OIS before dropping below a full course of study. In some circumstances, an authorized reduced course load may be possible, but dropping without authorization can result in a violation of F-1 status.

Failing a class does not automatically mean you lose F-1 status. However, academic difficulties may affect your ability to maintain a full course load or complete your program by the expected date. Contact OIS if you are concerned about your academic progress.

F-1 regulations limit how many online courses can count toward your full-time enrollment requirement. Check with OIS before registering for a schedule that includes
online courses.

Your Form I-20 is your primary document showing your eligibility for F-1 student status. You should keep your I-20 accurate and up to date and retain copies of all previous I- 20s.

Your I-94 is your official arrival/departure record and shows important information about your admission to the United States, including your Admit Until Date (AUD).

Your Admit Until Date (AUD) is the date through which you are authorized to remain in the United States based on your current admission. You should monitor this date carefully and contact OIS well in advance if you expect to need additional time.

Your I-20 program end date reflects the expected completion of your academic program. Your AUD is determined by your admission to the United States and is listed on your I- 94. These dates are not necessarily the same.

Your F-1 visa allows you to request entry into the United States in F-1 status. The visa does not determine how long you may remain in the United States after admission.

Yes. An expired F-1 visa does not automatically mean you are out of status. If you are maintaining valid F-1 status, you may generally remain in the United States. However, you will generally need a valid visa to return to the U.S. after international travel.

Yes. Before traveling, make sure you have the appropriate travel documents, including a valid passport, visa when required, and an I-20 with a valid travel signature.

Yes. You should have a valid travel signature before leaving the United States. Contact OIS well before your trip if you need a new signature.

You may remain in the U.S. with an expired visa if you are maintaining F-1 status, but you generally cannot use an expired visa to return to the U.S. after international travel.

Travel while OPT is pending can involve additional risks and considerations. Students should consult OIS before making international travel plans.

The 60-day grace period is intended for preparing to leave the United States, transfer, or take other permitted steps. It is not a period during which you should expect to leave and re-enter the U.S. in F-1 status.

Yes, F-1 students may be eligible to work in the United States, but employment is subject to specific immigration regulations.

• On-campus employment: Eligible F-1 studentsmay generally work on campus without separate USCIS employment authorization. While school is in session, students may work up to 20 hours per week and may generally work full-time during official school breaks. Students should confirm with OIS that their employment qualifies as on-campus employment before beginning work.
• Off-campus employment: Off-campus employment is not automatically permitted.
  Students must have specific employment authorization before beginning any off- campus work. Depending on the circumstances, this may include authorization through CPT, OPT, or another applicable employment authorization program. Students should never begin off-campus employment while an application is
  pending unless they have already received authorization to work.

When in doubt, always check with OIS before accepting or beginning employment. Unauthorized employment is a serious violation of F-1 status.

While school is in session, eligible F-1 students may generally work up to 20 hours per week. Students may generally work full-time during official school breaks when they are otherwise eligible.

F-1 students generally have authorization for qualifying on-campus employment, but you should check with OIS before beginning employment to make sure the position qualifies.

Not without appropriate authorization. Students must not begin off-campus employment simply because they have an offer or because an application is pending.

Not necessarily. The location of the job alone does not determine whether employment qualifies as on-campus employment. The employer and nature of the employment must meet the applicable requirements.

This can be a complicated issue involving both U.S. immigration and tax considerations. Students should consult OIS and, when appropriate, a qualified immigration or tax professional before accepting remote employment.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is employment authorization for qualifying practical training that is an integral part of an established curriculum.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment authorization for qualifying employment directly related to your major. Eligible students may generally receive up to 12 months of OPT at each qualifying educational level.

No. You must wait until USCIS approves your OPT application, you receive your EAD, and your authorized employment period has begun.

OPT employment must be directly related to your major area of study.

STEM OPT is a 24-month extension available to eligible students who meet the requirements for a qualifying STEM degree and employment. STEM OPT also has
additional reporting and training-plan requirements, including Form I-983.

Contact OIS. Changes to your major or program may require updates to your I-20 and SEVIS record.

Contact OIS before completing your current program so we can explain the appropriate immigration procedures and deadlines.

You must work with OIS to complete the F-1 transfer process. Do not simply stop attending ¾ÅÒ»Â鶹ÖÆƬ³§ and begin attending another school.

Contact OIS as soon as you know you will complete your program earlier than expected. Your program end date may need to be updated, and graduating early can affect your OPT timeline.

Contact OIS before your current program end date and well before your AUD.

Depending on your circumstances, you may need to take additional immigration steps, including an Extension of Stay application.

After completing your program, you generally have a 60-day grace period during which you may prepare to leave the United States, transfer to another school, or take other steps permitted under F-1 regulations.

No. The grace period itself does not provide employment authorization. Students interested in working after graduation should explore OPT before completing their program.

Potentially, yes. You should work with OIS to make sure the transition to your new program is handled correctly.

Students should promptly report changes that may affect their immigration record, such as changes to their address, name, program, academic level, or other relevant information.

Contact OIS immediately if you lose your I-20. If you lose your passport, contact your country's embassy or consulate for instructions on obtaining a replacement.

Do not ignore it. Contact OIS as soon as possible and pay close attention to any deadlines listed in the notice.

Ask OIS before you take action. Immigration regulations can be complicated, and something that seems minor—such as dropping a class, starting a job, traveling internationally, or changing your academic program—can have immigration consequences.