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International Admission @ Northwestern State University

NSU welcomes international students from all over the world!  We issue I-20's so that students can obtain their F1 Student VISA to study in the United States.  We currently have students attending from Australia, Ghana, Brazil, Canada, Honduras, Chile, France, Ukraine, China, Barbados, Bosnia, Belize, Nepal, Germany, Cameroon, Kenya, Montenegro, Columbia, New Zealand, Slovakia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Nigeria, Lithuania, Slovakia, just to name a few!  Apply today to become a part of our diverse University!  Click on one of the links below for admission criteria and requirements.

Steps to Admission for International Students

  1. Apply for Admission and pay the $30 application fee 
  5. Submit Evaluation of Foreign Credentials from an approved US Evaluation Agency and/or Official Transcript from ALL US University/College(s)
  6. Submit Official TOEFL scores (www.toefl.org)
  7. UNDERGRADUATE APPLICANTS must submit official ACT (www.act.org) or SAT (www.collegeboard.com) scores
  8. GRADUATE APPLICANTS must submit all required documents as required by the Graduate School to the Office of Admissions

NO I-20 WILL BE ISSUED UNTIL THE ABOVE INFORMATION HAS BEEN RECEIVED, EVALUATED AND THE APPLICANT HAS BEEN FULLY ADMITTED TO THE UNIVERSITY. 

Pay the SEVIS (I-901) Fee online if this is your first time attending a university or college in the US, or if you have since left the US after studying.  The "Student Exchange & Visitor Information System" (SEVIS) is the database that is used to maintain records of international students while they study in the United States.  This is also the database that allows your foreign student advisor in the Office of Admissions to issue the form I-20.  After you receive your I-20, you will need to go to this website and pay the "SEVIS" fee if you are a new international student coming to the United States.  This record will be transferred from NSU to any other college or university in the US that you may transfer to later.

If you are transferring from another university or college within the US, please request that your SEVIS record be transferred to Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, LA after you have been fully admitted.

Student Housing and Meal Plans - Please visit these sites for more information.  (Please be aware that it is YOUR responsibility to secure housing while in the US.  All students are required to live on campus unless an exemption has been approved.)

International (F1) Student Responsibilities - As an F1 VISA holder, you must abide by these rules while studying in the United States. 

International Student Guide to NSU - (by Amanda Majure, former GA) - A compilation of information about life at NSU, in Natchitoches, Louisiana and the United States in general.

List of US Approved Evaluation Services for Foreign Transcripts - All foreign transcripts must be evaluated by an approved US evaluation agency.  This includes not only international (F1) students, but also US citizens that study abroad, permanent residents, etc.   All fees are the responsibility of the applicant/student.

Natchitoches, Louisiana - the oldest permanent settlement in the entire Louisiana Purchase, is the home of Northwestern State University. 

Apply Online NOW! - We welcome your application in the mail, however if you would like to complete your application online, you may do so through College Net. 

Current International Students

Your I-20 must be endorsed before you leave the US for an approved absence, such as the summer or holiday break.  If your VISA expires while you are in the United States, you will need to renew it the next time you go home or leave the US.

  • International Students and Social Security Numbers - A brochure from the Social Security Office that may answer a few questions you have regarding the issuance of a Social Security Number. 
  • Curricular Practical Training Request - Please complete this form if you are requesting Curricular Practical Training (CPT) as it relates to an internship or a partnership with an agency affiliated with NSU and you will be receiving credit for a course that is required or will be applied towards your degree.  In addition to this request, you will need to submit a letter from your advisor stating the need for the internship and how it relates to your degree (what you will be given credit for).  We will also need a letter from your prospective employer (on letterhead) that states the beginning and ending dates of your employment/internship.  The Office of Admissions will issue a new I-20 to you showing authorization for this employment on page 3.  There is no fee, and no approval from immigration is required.  Please allow a minimum of 5-7 business days for processing.  Please also be aware that full-time CPT might affect your eligibility for the full 12 months of OPT employment after graduation.
  • Optional Practical Training Request - Optional Practical Training is available to all F1 VISA holders after graduation.  The Application for OPT employment (I-765) should be made no later than 60-90 days prior to graduation. No offer of employment is needed to apply for OPT employment, but you are required to notify the Office of Admissions of your employer name and address once you have been employed.  The employment should be directly related to your degree and should help you to gain experience in that field.
  • Request for Program Extension - This request should be made if your plan to attend NSU past the completion date on your I-20.  A new I-20 will be issued to reflect the change.
  • Request to Drop Below Full-Time Status - In order to be considered "in status", you must maintain full-time enrollment at NSU.  If an unforeseen rare circumstance forces you do drop below full-time status, you must first obtain permission from the Office of Admissions with this request form. 

ISEP Students please refer to the ISEP website for more information regarding your program, or contact the Graduate School at 318-357-5851 for more information.