1. Application for Admission [online form]
2. A $150 (U. S.) non-refundable application fee (Email Tim.Staudt@niacc.edu for instructions on how to pay over the phone with a credit card, by email or other verified means.)
3. Copy of Passport
4. A personal information form or print the personal information sheet
5. An official copy of your high school transcript (sent directly from your high school). If you have attended college, you must have official college transcript(s) sent directly from your college. All such transcripts must be translated and notarized if in other than the English language.
6. If you have taken the ACT or SAT, please provide us these test scores, IF NOT, that is fine, you will take placement exams online, prior to arrival, before registering for classes, communicate with Valeria.Gonzalez@niacc.edu and she will email instructions to you.
7. A bank statement showing a balance with sufficient funds to cover the cost of attendance for two (2) semesters (not including scholarships) and/or other official financial documents that would show such funds and an affidavit of support completed by person(s) legally responsible for all payment. (Two (2) semesters equals one (1) academic year.) A budget with the cost of attendance is below. Support Please note: All international students are required to pay a $2000 deposit prior to enrolling in classes their first semester. The $2000 deposit will be put towards your tuition and fees. A payment arrangement can be made for remaining balance each semester, but must be paid in full prior to enrolling for following semester. See Affidavit of Support. Please complete and submit and provide a bank statement (or other official financial documents) showing sufficient funds to cover the cost of attendance for two (2) semesters (not including scholarships) and an affidavit of support completed by person(s) legally responsible for all payment. (Two (2) semesters equals one (1) academic year.)
8. Proof of English proficiency is required. Please see the information listed below.
9. Student Transfer-In Form (completed ONLY by students transferring-in to NIACC from another college/university in the US) If your application for Admission is Approved, complete the following:
   • Complete the housing application online, and pay the $250 Housing Maintenance Fee by emailing tim.staudt@niacc.edu for instructions.
   • Complete the NIACC Foundation Scholarship Application. Priority Deadline is, March 1st.
10. When all of the above items (1-9), as applicable, have been received, your application will be evaluated. A decision will be reached regarding your acceptance for admission at NIACC. It may take at least three (3) months to process your application. If you are granted admission at NIACC, you will receive Form I-20 A-B to be completed and presented to the American Consular Office at the time of your Visa application and to the Immigration Office upon your arrival in the United States.
11. Prior to your Visa being issued, you are required to complete an I-901 form and pay a SEVIS fee of $350 @ FMJFEE.com. Complete the Form DS160 @ travel.state.gov and schedule your Visa Interview with your consulate/embassy website.
12. All International Students are REQUIRED to enroll in health insurance through 1st Agency, Inc. upon enrollment in courses at North Iowa Area Community College. The Student Development Office Manager will enroll ALL international students at the beginning of each semester. The insurance costs are added onto the fall and spring bills and are paid automatically through NIACC. NIACC’s 1st Agency Plan Summary and Claim Forms may be found at: 1stagency.com There is NO EXCEPTION to this rule.

The above information should be sent to:
Val Gonzalez
North Iowa Area Community College
500 College Drive
Mason City IA, 50401
Email: valeria.gonzalez@niacc.edu

English Proficiency Admission Requirements

1. Prospective students from one of the following countries where English is the native language are not required to submit proof of English proficiency: Australia, Canada, Commonwealth Caribbean countries (Anguilla, Antigua, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Trinidad and Tobago, and Turks and Caicos Islands), Ireland, New Zealand, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales) and United States.
2. Students who have successfully completed the high school core requirements in or graduated from high school where English is the primary language or who have completed 24 college/university credit hours in an English-speaking country are also not required to submit proof of English proficiency.
3. For all other applicants: English Proficiency Requirements for Admission are either submission of DuoLingo English Test, TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language or IELTS – International English Language Testing System, EIKEN – Test in Practical English Proficiency (Japan), SEPT—SAKAE English Proficiency Test (Japan), or GTEC-CBT—Global Test of English Communication Computer Based Test, or PTE Academic – Pearson Test of English Academic.
4. The following scores are required for full admittance:

If your application for Admission is Approved, complete the following:

• Complete Housing Application Online and Pay the $250 Housing Maintenance Fee by emailing tim.staudt@niacc.edu for instructions.
• Complete the NIACC Foundation Scholarship Application: Priority Deadline is, March 1st.

The Form I-20 A-B must be completed and presented to the American Consular Office at the time of your Visa application and to the Immigration Office upon your arrival in the United States. Prior to your Visa being issued, you are required to complete an I-901 form and pay a SEVIS fee of $350 @ FMJFEE.com. Complete the Form DS160 @ travel.state.gov and schedule your Visa Interview with your consulate/embassy website.

• How to apply for scholarships
• Search for scholarships

All International Students are required to be enrolled in health insurance and will be automatically enrolled at the beginning of each term. The insurance costs are added to the students’ fall and spring bills and are paid automatically through NIACC.

Items to consider that may alter costs:

• *This is just an estimate of costs/expenses. Changing credit hours, taking developmental courses, and adding/dropping classes may impact costs. The need for developmental courses depends on placement test scores. 62 credits are needed to graduate, not including any developmental coursework.
• ** All International students are initially assigned to our most affordable housing option and that cost is reflected in the estimated budget. If a student elects a different room option, Student Housing costs will vary depending on room type selected.
• ***Housing, Tuition and Fees are adjusted each calendar year and are subject to change at any time.
• ****Payment in full is required at the start of each semester, a $2,000 deposit (that will go towards tuition and fees) by August 1 and a four-month payment plan, is possible, for the remaining balance of the semester, by deciding with the NIACC Business Office. Contact Tim Staudt to make payment arrangements at: tim.staudt@niacc.edu. Students will not be allowed to register for classes for the next semester, until their current bill is paid in full.

• Students must be enrolled in 12 credits during the fall and spring semesters. 9 of these classes must be offered as face to face classes.
• Form I-20
  • As an F-1 student, you will be given a n I-20 Certificate of Eligibility from North Iowa Area Community College’s DSO. You must review your I-20 and keep all of your I-20s in a safe space. International students are required to maintain copies of all I-20s issued to them. If there is a correction that needs made on your I-20, contact a DSO.
• Pay the I-901 fee
  • After you have received your I-20, the 1-901 Fee needs paid. This is due before your Visa appointment. You should bring your payment receipt with you to your appointment and when you travel to the United States. Providing a copy of payment to your DSO will ensure it is also kept on file and in your student records.
• Visa Application
  • There are multiple steps to be granted a student visa. View the list of US Embassies to see how they vary by Embassy and Consulate.
  • Complete the Online Visa Application (DS-160) after you receive your I-20
  • Schedule an in-person visa appointment
  • Bring the required documents
  • Attend the Visa appointment
  • Let a DSO know the results of your appointment

Airport Options

• Mason City (MCW)
• Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport (MSP)
• Des Moines International Airport (DSM)

Note:  NIACC is located 2 hours from the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport (MSP) and 2 hours from the Des Moines International Airport (DSM)

Arrivals and Departures

• Make sure you have the proper arrangements in place before you arrive in the United States. NIACC runs a shuttle on the Friday/Saturday prior to the 1^st day of classes and after classes end for the semester. Contact Valeria Gonzalez for specific dates each semester- this information will also be posted to Trojan Home to remind students.
• Please make flight arrangements with these pick up-drop off times in mind as all international students are trying to be accommodated. Please note that the Minneapolis/ Saint Paul (MSP) airport is 2 hours away from NIACC campus.
• There is one pick up and drop off time. If your flight arrives earlier than the scheduled pick up time, you may have to wait for the Shuttle to arrive. If your flight arrives after the scheduled pick up time, you will have to find your own transportation to the NIACC Campus, location 2 hours away.

Arrivals

• 6:00 pm CST Pick up outside of baggage claim at MSP Minnesota International Airport in a NIACC van
• 8:00 pm CST Walmart stop in Mason City, Iowa to pick up essentials/groceries for your room
• 9:00 pm CST Deliver to NIACC housing

Departures

• 8:00 am Central Standard Time (CST) Pick up at NIACC Housing in a NIACC van
• 10:15 am Deliver to MSP Minnesota International Airport

• If you are arriving before or after those dates or times, it will be your responsibility to find your own transportation to campus or communicate with Valeria Gonzalez to see how she may assist you otherwise, if possible.

• Other transportation options
  • Jefferson bus Lines jeffersonlines.com/bus-stops/iowa
  • Booking a flight directly into the Mason City, Iowa (MCW) Airport flymcw.com  are also available options to you. Please note, there may be baggage weight restrictions. Check with the airline.
  • Lyft or Uber are also available for local transportation around Mason City. If you choose to use them for transportation to campus from Minneapolis/Saint Paul (MSP) or Des Moines (DSM airports, they can be expensive. Download the apps to check for fares/pricing and schedules.
  • Mason City Transit is the only available transportation around Mason City to and from campus. You will be provided a Transit map upon arrival to campus. 

Am I able to work on Campus when I am a student?
During your Visa interview a student is asked to provide proof that you are able to pay for your 1st year at the college or university that you enroll at and therefore international students should understand that there are LIMITED work and scholarship options available and should understand this if they decide to study in the states.

Students must be prepared to pay their NIACC bill each semester to continue studying. F1 status Visa holders may apply to work on or off campus thru CPT, OPT or Economic Hardship, but it is NEVER GUARANTEED.

There are limited on campus job opportunities available for F1 students, but they are on a first come, first serve basis. A student may stop by the NIACC Financial Aid office, once on campus to inquire about open job opportunities. A student must also contact a DSO (Designated School Official) at NIACC, who is Josie Popp, josie.popp@niacc.edu to discuss and determine eligibility and to obtain a Social Security Number, if approved for an on campus job.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Complex rules apply to CPT because the training opportunity must comply with both: Federal regulations, school policies regarding internships, and experiential learning, etc.

• CPT is training relates directly to the student’s major area of study.
• Training is an integral part of the school’s established curriculum.
• Designated school official (DSO) authorized CPT in SEVIS, and the authorization prints on the student’s Form I-20.
• Occurs before the student’s program end date on the Form I-20.
• Authorization is for one specific employer and for a specific period of time.
• Student must secure the training opportunity before CPT can be authorized.
• CPT must be authorized before the student can begin work.
• Student can have more than one CPT authorization at the same time.
• One year of full-time CPT eliminates a student’s eligibility for OPT.
• Student DOES NOT have to apply for the I-765 Application for Work Authorization Document
• Student will apply for a Social Security Number, with approval from the DSO

Occupational Practical Training (OPT) – Limited Options

To be eligible, a student must be enrolled as a full-time student at NIACC for one year before they can apply.

• OPT (Occupational Practical Training) is similar to internships and must be related to area of study. For more information visit studyinthestates.gov
• Pre-completion OPT and Post-completion OPT both require SEVIS approval. There is an application and fee process that a student must complete (Form I-765 / $520 fee – F1 Visa holders are usually exempt from paying the $85 Biometrics fee).
• An F-1 student is only eligible for 12 months of OPT during the time of starting classes until they receive their bachelor’s degree. If as student uses their OPT eligibility while at NIACC, they will not be eligible again until after they graduate with their bachelor’s degree.
• *A student may apply for OPT, after a year of enrollment, to work off-campus due to financial hardship, but the student would have to provide supporting documentation of hardship as part of the application process.
• After filing the I-765 Application for Work Authorization Document with USCIS and it usually takes up to 90 days to receive the EAD (Employment Authorization Document), which allows a student to work off-campus, with OPT. Upon approval of the EAD, the student is given access to a SEVIS portal where they are required to report their employment history.

Any questions regarding this process can be directed to our DSO, josie.popp@niacc.edu

• Student handbook
• Housing handbook

• International Student & Friends Club
• Food Pantry
• Rec Center
• Campus View Housing
• Campus Map