The general policies of the university as outlined in this
catalog apply to foreign as well as domestic students. However,
some special policies are necessitated by federal laws applicable
only to foreign students.
A foreign student is any individual attending New Mexico State
University while present in the United States on a nonimmigrant
student visa. Legal immigrants or refugees must present documentation
of their status either to Admissions or to the IP office.
Immigration and Naturalization Service Rules
Some of the more important rules as established by the United
States Immigration and Naturalization Service are
- Each student must maintain full-time student status for both
the fall and spring semesters.
- Foreign students may not work off campus without authorization.
On-campus employment may be authorized under certain conditions.
- All foreign students must maintain an up-to-date record in
the International Programs Office. This record must indicate
the student's current living address and local phone number.
- Prior to admission, a prospective foreign student must demonstrate
the following:
- Academic ability to succeed in the chosen course of study;
- Adequate financial support to complete the chosen course of
study; and
- Adequate command of the English language to maintain legal
status as a full-time student for the fall and spring semesters.
UNIVERSITY PROCEDURES FOR FOREIGN STUDENTS
Scholastic Ability
- Prospective undergraduates must have completed a minimum
of 12 years' schooling and/or submit official diploma or completion
certificate.
- Official transcripts showing the classes taken and grades
earned for the years 10, 11, and 12 must be submitted. No hand-carried
documents will be accepted unless received in a sealed envelope.
- The scholastic average for the last three years of high school
must be equivalent to 2.5. Foreign students are not admitted
on a provisional or probationary basis.
- Graduation from a high school in the United States does not
automatically qualify a foreign student for admission to NMSU.
The student must also submit official transcripts from his/her
foreign secondary school.
Financial Support
- Each prospective foreign student must submit a current financial
support document with their application.
- This document must show that (a) the person providing the
financial support has the necessary funds, and (b) the funds
can be transferred from the student's home country to the United
States.
No financial aid is available from NMSU. The university reserves
the right to demand advance deposit of funds for any period deemed
reasonable prior to granting admission. A foreign national can
never qualify for residency and must pay nonresident fees
English Language Proficiency
New Mexico State University requires a score of 500 (paper-based)/173
(computer-based) or better on the Test of English as a Foreign
Language (TOEFL) for all foreign students, both nondegree and
degree seeking. Foreign students may also demonstrate English
proficiency by satisfactory completion of NMSU's Intensive English
as Second Language programs. A waiver of the TOEFL requirement
may be considered for
- Students who are native speakers of English.
- Students completing high school in the United States who
(a) have attended the high school for at least two full semesters
and (b) have scored in at least the 75th percentile in English
on the American College Testing Program (ACT).
- Students transferring from a junior college, college, or
university in the United States who have earned a minimum of
30 acceptable semester credits (45 acceptable quarter credits)
with a grade point average of 2.5 or better. Acceptable credit
means classes that require a high proficiency in both written
and oral English.
- Students demonstrating English language proficiency by
methods accepted by International Programs.
- Students enrolling in certain programs where English language
proficiency is not required.
The university reserves the right to require any prospective
foreign student to meet the 500 TOEFL requirement.
For complete information concerning the TOEFL examination,
applicants should review the following website: www.toefl.org
New Mexico State University conducts an Intensive English Language
Program for undergraduates and graduate students pursuing degree
programs at NMSU. Foreign students are not admitted to the university
for the sole purpose of studying English.
Prior to enrollment, each foreign student is administered an
English screening examination. Based on the results, the student
is either assigned to one of the special English classes for
foreign students or is excused from special English instruction.
Excused undergraduate students will be given credit for SPCD
111G, Advanced ESL Composition. The student may then be required
to complete one or more regular English classes as required
for a particular degree. Students who successfully complete
SPCD 111G or who are excused from this course have satisfied
the degree requirements for ENGL 111G. Completion of basic English
courses at other U.S. institutions does not automatically satisfy
this requirement.
Admission Restrictions
Although New Mexico State University does not set a quota for
the total number of foreign students, there may be several factors
that would prohibit admission even though the person meets all
general requirements.
-
The dean of a chosen college and the department
head of a chosen major or the provost/campus director of a
branch campus may refuse to grant admission.
-
There may be a disproportionate number of foreign
students or a disproportionate number of a particular nationality
in one department or college.
-
Academic advisers, especially in the Graduate
School, may not be available.
-
Foreign nationals may be nondegree if admitted
as exchange students, or as part of a special program, or
as holders of visas that allow incidental studies related
to their current nonimmigrant status.
-
University branch campuses reserve the right
to refuse admission to foreign students if the appropriate
immigration and English language support services are not
available.
-
Non-native speakers of English normally are not
admitted for summer sessions. There are some exceptions such
as students admitted to NMSU's Intensive English Programs.
-
Preference for admission to the branch campuses
is shown to students who graduate from high school in the
United States.
-
University branch campuses reserve the right to
set limits on the number of international students admitted
to their respective campuses based on the percentage of international
students within an academic program.
All application material, including the application
for admission, letters of recommendation, all transcripts or national
examination scores and/or transcripts from colleges or universities
(with an English translation), all test scores including the TOEFL,
and proof of adequate financial support should be on file in the
International Programs Office by the following suggested dates:
March 1* for fall semester
October 1* for spring semester
* Contact the academic department for specific deadlines.
Miscellaneous Regulations
-
All foreign students are required to have coverage
at the Student Health Center except when the main campus Student
Health Center is not available to them.
-
All foreign students must have health insurance.
Students who do not purchase insurance from NMSU must present
evidence of similar coverage to IP. Students without insurance
will not be allowed to register.
-
Upon arrival on campus new foreign students
are not permitted to register until all IP requirements are
met, including attending orientation and taking the English
screening examination. All foreign students, therefore, are
required to report to the appropriate office on their campus.
-
Main Campus: International Programs, Garcia
Annex, Room 238
-
Doña Ana Branch: International Programs,
Garcia Annex, Room 238
-
Alamogordo Branch: Office of Student Services,
Student Services Building, Second Floor
-
Carlsbad Branch: Office of Student Services,
150 University Drive, Room 111
-
Grants Branch: Office of Student Services, Walter
Martinez Building, Main Office Complex
-
Undergraduate students are required to carry
at least 12 credits per semester.
Next Section: Costs
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