International Students

International student applicants, including those from Canada, must provide additional credentials to satisfy U.S. immigration regulations.

Application deadlines for international students are June 1 for the fall semester and October 1 for the winter semester.

International Academic Award - The International Academic Award is available, after the first semester of study, to academically talented, undergraduate, international students who are enrolled at Northern Michigan University as full-time baccalaureate students. Students must hold a valid, in status, F1 Visa and achieve a 3.00 cumulative GPA or higher within the first four semesters of study at NMU. Fall and winter semester awards are $1,100 per semester. Spring/summer semester awards are $1,000. There is also an International Academic Award for international students transferring to NMU from an accredited U.S. college or university.

International Application Instructions

1. Apply - You may apply (a) online or  (b) by using a printed form.
   (a) Online - Complete the online application and submit a separate certification of finances form. (See number 7 below.)

   (b) Printed form - Download and complete the international student application for admission.  Canadian students may apply using the domestic application for admission plus supplemental information for Canadian students. International students submitting  printed form will not need to complete a separate certification of finances, as this information is included on the international application and the Canadian supplement.

2. Application Fee- Submit the $30 application fee. Students may mail a check or money order or can pay by credit card by calling 1-800-682-9797 or 1-906-227-2650. You may also pay online.
3. Transcripts - Request official, original transcripts of ALL secondary school work (U.S. and non-U.S.), official certificates showing results of any standardized examinations taken in your home country ("O" levels, "A" levels, etc.), and official transcripts of any colleges, universities or trade schools you have attended be sent directly from the issuing institution to Northern Michigan University. Certified translations are required for any documents not originally in English. These translations must be complete, word-for-word, and in the same format as the original document. Students have the option of using the WES ICAP service for non-U.S./non-Canadian educational documents (see #4).
4. Education Credential Evaluation - Students must submit all non-U.S., non-Canadian* academic records to Education Credential Evaluators (ECE) or other accepted agency along with the required fee.   A "Course-by-Course" report --or equivalent--must be selected. NMU uses the information on the report provided to us by ECE or other agency to help determine admissibility and any  transfer of credit. (NMU will notify you if a subject analysis report is needed to determine transfer credit.) You may choose another agency, such as North American Educational Group (NAEG) or World Education Service (WES).  Students may elect to order the WES ICAP service.  This service allows applicants to submit their official educational documents only once--to WES. NMU would then receive the verified documents from WES.

   If, at the time of application to NMU, you have course work in progress at a non-U.S./non-Canadian* institution, you must also submit your additional documents for evaluation upon completion of your current study. There will be an additional fee to the agency (ECE, WES, NAEG) for this and upon receipt of the final report, NMU will review your admission status again to insure that you meet admissions requirements.  *An evaluation of credits may be requested for some Canadian institutions' documents.  Evaluations may be waived for some international schools affiliated or aligned with U.S. institutions. The NMU Admissions Office will notify applicants regarding any requests or waivers.

5. Test Scores (Canadian students only) - Submit the results of the SAT or ACT directly from the testing agency to NMU.  You are exempt if you have earned 12 or more semester college level credits after high school graduation, or if you graduated from high school three or more years before the term of your intended enrollment at NMU.
6. English Proficiency - If you are not a native speaker of English, you must prove an adequate level of English language proficiency. NMU requires a minimum score of 61 on the Internet-based TOEFL (iBT), 173 on the TOEFL computer based test, or 500 on the paper-based TOEFL. Information about the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) can be obtained from Education Testing Service at www.toefl.org. Test results must be sent directly from the testing agency to the university.  Results from other tests (IELTS-6.0 or MELAB-69) will also be considered. Other proof of English proficiency will be considered on an individual basis.

   Northern Michigan University also offers an English as a Second Language (ESL) Program. The program aims to help non-native English speakers gain confidence and fluency in using the English language.

7. Certification of Finances - Applicants must provide documentation that they have the ability to finance their education at Northern Michigan University. This is accomplished by completing the certification of finances section of the international student application for admission and providing either the bank official’s signature on that section or a separate letter from the bank official or a bank account statement. Students applying online need to print the online certification of finances form. After it has been signed by a bank official, mail it to:

   Office of Admissions
   Northern Michigan University
   1401 Presque Isle
   Marquette, Michigan USA
   49855-5310

Admission to Northern Michigan University requires completion of the steps above and meeting the requirements as specified under the applicable applicant status (freshman, transfer, etc). Once a student is admitted, NMU will issue an I-20AB form to the student.

Other Important Information

NMU Housing Policy - All single undergraduate students are required to live in the residence halls while enrolled for classes at Northern, except students who:

• have reached junior status (56 or more hours of college credit) prior to registration for classes, or
• have resided four (4) or more semesters in residence halls, or
• are twenty-one (21) years of age or older on or before the last official day of registration, or
• are residing with their parents or legal guardians within commuting distance. This housing requirement is a condition of enrollment which must be met throughout the academic year. Northern's housing contract provides a variety of meal options. Exceptions to the housing requirement must be requested in writing to the Housing and Residence Life Office, 1401 Presque Isle Avenue, Marquette, Michigan, USA 49855-5372. Your application for admission does not constitute an application for housing. Information will be sent to you after you are admitted to NMU.

Occupancy During Vacation/Break Periods - You may remain in your room during Thanksgiving and spring vacation breaks at no additional cost. Services and meals, however, are not provided during these periods. All residence halls are closed on Sunday at 9:00 a.m. after the end of the fall examination week and the day after spring commencement for summer break. Halls reopen on the Saturday before classes resume in January and August. Students planning to enroll for a summer session may secure housing in Spooner Hall for the summer and may arrange to stay in Guest Housing for a nominal charge during the winter holiday break. Students may also make their own arrangements for off-campus housing during these periods.

Health Insurance - All international students and their dependents (excluding Canadians) must enroll in a health insurance plan designated for them by NMU which will provide full and continuous coverage through a U.S. based insurance company. The charge for this insurance will be added to the student's tuition billing each semester.

Academic Calendar - Fall semester classes generally begin on the last Monday in August and conclude in mid-December. Winter semester classes generally begin in mid-January and conclude in late April. Spring/Summer sessions run in varying lengths in May, June, July, and early August.

Orientation - All new international undergraduate students are required to participate in orientation. For international students, the sessions which seem to work best are the ones held 5 days prior to the start of the fall and winter semesters. You will receive information about orientation once you are admitted to NMU.

Your application will not be processed until all requested information is received by the Admissions Office.