International Students

• International Students
• Extension Policy
• Less than Full-time Status
• Online Classes
• International Transcript Evaluation

International Students

MidAmerica Nazarene University welcomes international students and supports those who require an F1 visa to complete their studies in the United States. For the purposes of this section, ‘International Students’ are defined as students who are required to be on an F1 visa to attend school in the United States. Application for Admission to the traditional undergraduate programs must be submitted at least 90 days prior to the beginning of the semester that the student wishes to begin studies. International Transfer Students from other colleges or universities in the United States must submit an application 30 days prior to the beginning of each semester. Students seeking admission to other academic programs offered at MidAmerica Nazarene University must follow the time procedures set up by those programs. When all admission requirements have been met, the MNU International Student Advisor will issue the prospective International Student an I-20 document required by ICE for F-1 visa status. A new I-20 will be issued and sent electronically to the email of record on the I-20 per current SEVP guidance. Upon request, students seeking admission into MNU Professional Undergraduate & Graduate Studies (PGS) programs will be sent information outlining required international documentation. For those who are not in the U.S. but want to enroll in a program, more time should be allowed in order to submit required documents and secure their Embassy appointment.

For international students seeking admission to one of MNU’s programs, the following must be submitted:

1. A completed Application for Admission must be completed 90 days before the beginning of the term that the student wishes to begin studies.
2. Any required deposits as identified by the designated International Advisor.
3. A minimum official TOEFL paper-based (PBT) score of 550, or a minimum computer-based (CBT) score of 214, or internet based (iBT) score minimum of 76 (MidAmerica’s TOEFL code number is 6437) OR an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 6 or higher. Some exceptions may apply.
   • Applicants for the Master of Arts in Counseling (MAC) program - see College of Professional & Graduate Studies, Department of Counselor Education for TOEFL requirements.
   • Applicants to the MNU Prelicensure Nursing (ABSN) - see School of Nursing, Prelicensure & Advanced Studies in Nursing programs for TOEFL requirements.
   • If an approved NACES agency transcript evaluation service report indicates/reflects that the medium of instruction is English, the TOEFL is waived.
   • TOEFL scores are waived for students who have a bachelor’s degree from an English speaking institution or countries who have English as a primary language.
4. For the international student from a world area whose first official language is English, an official ACT or SAT score which meets the same requirements for admission as domestic students is acceptable. If the ACT/SAT scores qualify for only provisional acceptance or, for traditional students, the Pioneer Success program, TOEFL is also required.
5. An original, notarized Affidavit of Support and required supporting documentation of evidence of ability to pay school bills in accordance with policy, as required by the PGS DSO.
6. An appropriately completed and signed International Student Financial Summary to cover estimated semester charges, verifying at least an equal amount of financial support available for each semester in attendance at MNU.
7. Meningitis immunization or signed waiver (for traditional students only).
8. Original transcripts and records (sent directly from the institution or approved transcript evaluation service), documenting all completed secondary and university academic work.

International Students may apply to any eligible program at MNU which meets the requirements as outlined by SEVIS. The application process varies with each program. All international students who wish to study at MNU must work with the Designated School Official (DSO) for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at MNU, in order to receive the required I-20 document and to ensure that proper ICE guidelines are followed for academic study in the United States.

Contacts:

For Traditional Undergraduate Studies:

Office of Admissions
2030 East College Way
Olathe, KS 66062-1899
Phone 913-971-3380

For Professional and Graduate Studies:

MNU PGS Designated School Official (DSO) MidAmerica Nazarene University
13563 S. Mur-Len Road
Olathe, KS 66062-1899
Phone 913-971-3806

Extension Policy

Definition - F-1 students are admitted to the U.S. for Duration of Status (D/S). The duration of status is noted on the I-94 card often with a D/S. Additionally, students are given a deadline which is noted on their I-20, by which to complete their studies. This means students may remain legally within the U.S. as long as they are in compliance with the regulations regarding the maintenance of their F-1 status and are making progress toward completion of the degree they have declared as their educational objective at MNU. F-1 students who are not able to complete all of the courses required for their educational program by the completion date noted on the most current, valid I-20 are required to apply for a program extension. Other reasons for extending the program may include change in major, studies interrupted by illness, etc.

Eligibility - I-20 extension applicants are required to:

1. Be in lawful status.
2. Be enrolled as full-time students at a DHS approved school or have been given approval by the PDSO/DSO that issued the student’s current I-20 to be enrolled in less than 12 hours.
3. Apply within the 30-day period prior to the completion date (Item #5) on their I-20.
4. Maintain good academic performance.

Limitations

1. MNU will grant extensions for a maximum of 12 months at a time. If a student requires more than one 12-month extension, s/he must seek another extension.
2. A maximum of three (3) extensions may be granted at the bachelor’s level of study.

Students

1. Make an appointment with an MNU academic advisor to discuss your need for an extension within the 30-day period prior to the completion date (Item #5) on your I-20. If a program extension is warranted, the advisor will complete the MNU Extension Request form.
2. Submit to the PDSO/DSO the completed MNU Extension Request form with your MNU program plan and an advising transcript.

NOTE: An extension request will not be processed if you do not provide your SEVIS ID number.

3. Once all required documents have been submitted to the PDSO/DSO, a new I-20 authorizing an extension for a maximum of 12 months will be created. Students will be contacted via their MNU student e-mail account to sign the new I-20 and keep as their official I-20.

Less than Full-time Status

International students are expected to maintain full-time status. For undergraduate programs, student must enroll in a minimum of 12 semester hours per term to be considered full-time students. For graduate programs, students must enroll in a minimum of 6 semester hours per term to be considered full-time students.

Only in the situations listed below are students enrolled in less than a full course of study considered to be maintaining status:

1. Illness/medical condition documented and required by a licensed medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy or a licensed clinical psychologist for a specific period of time.
2. Initial difficulty with the English language within the first semester to one (1) year of study in the U.S. This option is only available during the first semester of attendance in the U.S.
3. Initial difficulty with reading requirements within the first semester to one (1) year of study in the U.S.
4. Unfamiliarity with U.S. teaching methods within the first semester to one (1) year of study in the U.S.
5. Improper course level placement by recommendation of an MNU academic advisor.
6. To complete a course of study within the current term as documented, recommended by a MNU academic advisor and approved by the PDSO/DSO before the official 20th day of classes.

Limitations

1. Students must be authorized for a reduced course load (RCL) prior to dropping below a full course of study. Dropping enrollment below a full course of study before approval from the PDSO/DSO will place an F-1 student out of status.
2. The maximum duration of an authorization to drop below full course load for F-1 students is:
   • Academic difficulty is a maximum of one (1) semester at the bachelor program level.
   • Initial difficulty with English language is a maximum of one (1) semester at the bachelor level.
     • * The student must continue to attend classes toward his or her degree.
     • * This option is only available during the first semester of attendance in the U.S.
   • Medical reasons are an aggregate of twelve (12) months per academic level of study.
     • * Students may request a maximum of one (1) semester at a time by submitting this form.
   • If a student requires a second RCL, he/she must submit a second Request for Less Than Full-Time Enrollment form prior to payment deadline of the semester in which student is requesting the RCL.
3. “Imminent danger of failing a class” is not a permissible reason for authorizing a reduced course load.
4. Students authorized for medical leave of absence may not be eligible for employment while on medical leave if the problems they are experiencing are severe enough to interfere with studies.

Process

1. Complete the Student Information Section. Your SEVIS identification number must be written in Part I of this form or processing of your request will be delayed.
2. If Section II will be completed by your medical provider, he/she is to fax the form directly to the International and Immigrant Student Services office at 913-971-3481 and return the original to you to submit to the International and Immigrant Student Services office in Campus Center.

Once all required documentation has been submitted and approved by the PDSO/DSO, a new I-20 will be issued to reflect the reduced course load authorization for the requested semester/ term.

This school is authorized under Federal law to enroll nonimmigrant alien students.

Online Classes

For international students, no more than the equivalent of one class or three credits per semester may be counted toward the full course of study requirement.

International Transcript Evaluation

For prospective students, both International and Domestic, who have coursework from colleges and universities outside the United States, an official evaluation of transcripts must be requested by the student and sent to the MNU International Student officer, located in the Admissions department, before academic courses may be considered for transfer credit. Approved international transcript evaluation services are listed below.

• ECE Educational Credential Evaluations - www.ece.org/
• WES World Education Services - www.wes.org/
• NACES National Association of Credential Evaluation Services - www.naces.org
  • Any service listed as a member of this organization
• InCred - International Credential Evaluations* - InCred@naia.org; www.incredevals.org

*Student Athlete Recruits are required by NAIA to use InCred

The transcript evaluation service will provide the following:

1. Translate to English if needed.
2. Convert credit hours to U.S. credit hour equivalents.
3. Convert International GPA to U.S. GPA equivalent.
4. A designation of the level (upper and lower) of each course.
5. For credentials earned, provides the closet U.S. equivalent (i.e. bachelors, high school diploma).

These entities do not evaluate the courses for transferability or content. To establish an MNU equivalency, a course-by-course evaluation of course content, must be completed by a subject matter expert using course descriptions and syllabi (in English).