International Students

Thank you for your interest in the Matanuska-Susitna College. We welcome new international students to our campus.

Accreditation

MSC/UAA is a public institution accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges. The University is known for the fine quality of its academic programs.

Location

Matanuska-Susitna College (MSC) is an extended college of the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA). MSC is 40 miles from Anchorage, located on a 950 acre site on Trunk Road, about halfway between Palmer and Wasilla.

For more information about visiting or for maps to our location and of our campus, please see the Visiting & Maps section of the website.

Applying for Undergraduate Admission

Complete MSC’s application for admission and submit the form, fee, and application materials to:

Matanuska-Susitna College
Student Services
PO Box 2889
Palmer, AK 99645

Apply early! We encourage you to submit your application for admission six months before the semester you hope to begin your studies at MSC. Transcripts, test scores, and other application materials may follow.

Application Checklist:

Application for Admission & Fee
Official Transcripts
Official TOEFL Score
Sponsor’s Statement of Financial Support
Sponsor’s Bank Verification

Admissions Requirements

Official documents are those issued directly by the educational institution or testing agency and received in an unopened, official letterhead envelope. In countries where letterhead is not commonly used, the envelope should bear the institution’s seal over the envelope flap and the school’s return address.

All records must be complete and accurate. Omission or falsification of records will result in disqualification or, if the student is enrolled, dismissal.

High School Graduation

You must have the equivalent of a U.S. high school diploma with a "C" average (2.0 grade point average) or higher to be eligible for undergraduate admission.

Official Transcripts

OFFICIAL transcripts for the equivalent of American upper secondary school grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 are required for all students who have not earned the equivalent of an associate or bachelor degree. OFFICIAL transcripts are required for any college or university work. Include copies of government examination results, certificates, diplomas, and degrees if applicable. Your school may send your transcripts directly to Matanuska-Susitna College.

Please note that students must be admitted and their foreign transcripts evaluated by a UAA approved foreign credential evaluation service before transfer credit can be determined.

The list of approved agencies can be found on UAA's website. International Transfer/Returning Students may find more information here.

TOEFL English Proficiency Test

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
Telephone:	1-877-863-3546 (U.S., U.S. Territories, and Canada)
	1-609-771-7100 (Worldwide)
Address:	TOEFL/TSE Publications PO Box 6154 Princeton, NJ 08541-6154 USA
Web:	www.toefl.org
Email:	toefl@ets.org

Undergraduate applicants to MSC must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and achieve a minimum score of 133 on the computer-based test or 450 on the paper-based test. MSC does not offer a full-time, intensive English as a Second Language (ESL) program (i.e., it is not possible to attend MSC on a student visa and study only ESL). We must have proof of your English proficiency before you can be admitted.

MSC’s TOEFL reporting code is 4509. Please provide this number when you take the test so that TOEFL will send us an OFFICIAL copy of your score.

Only students who must be on an F-1 visa are required to take the TOEFL. The TOEFL test is waived for students who speak English as their native language. To take the test in Anchorage, contact Prometrics at 907-276-0505.

Financial Documents

Government regulations require that all F-1 visa students prove to the University and to the U.S. consulate that they have enough funding to cover their school and living expenses (e.g., tuition, fees, room, board, books, medical insurance and miscellaneous expenses) while in the U.S. All applicants must submit the following (English translations required):

A letter or statement of support from your sponsor guaranteeing financial support while the student is attending MSC. Please note that another student cannot be a sponsor.
A bank letter or statement showing a sufficient amount on account to support the student for a minimum of one year. Ask the bank to convert the amount to U.S. dollars.

Financial documents should be dated no earlier than six months prior to the term the student will enroll at MSC.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

MSC does not offer financial aid or scholarships to international students.

Employment

MSC does not guarantee campus jobs and new students should not count on finding a campus job in the beginning. F-1 visa students are restricted to part-time on campus employment during the school year. U.S. laws rarely permit international students to work off campus.

Applying for an F-1 Student Visa

Once admitted, we will send you an I-20 Certificate of Eligibility form. You will need to make an appointment with the American consulate to apply for your F-1 student visa. Be sure to keep copies of all of your application materials for this appointment. We recommend that you apply for a multiple entry visa. Canadian citizens are not required to have a visa stamp, but must still obtain an I-20 and follow all other regulations governing F-1 students. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration services web site.

Transferring to MSC

Students transferring to MSC from another American school must complete the regular admission process. In addition, we will need to obtain verification that you maintained full-time enrollment at that school and complied with the immigration regulations. Transfer students will need to work closely with the International Student Advisor at their most recent school and at MSC to complete the transfer process.

Academic Progress Requirements

International students must be admitted to a certificate or a degree program, enroll in a minimum of 12 undergraduate credits per semester, and maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 (a "C" average). These credits must be related to the student’s academic goal. Students who do not meet these requirements may violate their immigration status as well as lose their student status at MSC and be forced to return home.

Housing

We do not offer housing on campus. UAA does offer housing on campus.

Please contact the International Student Advisor for more information.

Insurance

International students are required to have medical insurance. Students who do not already have insurance may purchase it through MSC/UAA. Please visit the UAA website for more information about student insurance.

Important Planning Information

For Further Information
MSC Admissions Specialist	Francesca Russell (907) 745-9746
UAA International Student Advisor	Doni Williams (907) 786-1573

MSC’s calendar is divided into semesters. The fall and spring semesters are approximately 15 weeks long. The summer session is 10 weeks long. New international students are accepted only for the fall and spring semesters.

Students who have been accepted should plan to arrive in Palmer several weeks before classes begin. This will allow you time to become oriented to the Palmer area, take appropriate placement tests, and meet with an academic advisor. Also, please note that regulations prohibit new international students from arriving more than 30 days before the start of school.

Palmer’s climate is extreme with about 30 inches of snow each year between October and April. You will need clothing for both winter and summer weather. Students dress informally on campus. Women wear everything from dresses and skirts to t-shirts and jeans. Men dress in everything from slacks with sport shirts and sweaters or jackets to t-shirts and jeans. Raincoats and umbrellas are useful. A warm coat and boots are essential.