International Students

A home for students from around the world


Applying for Housing

Students can apply for housing any time after they have been admitted to the university.

Space for on-campus housing is limited, so you should apply as early as possible. Housing is reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you apply for 25-26 housing between October 7 and February 14, we will not ask for your room or roommate preference in the housing application. Why? Because you are on track to choose your own roommate and room in the spring.

If you apply for 25-26 housing after February 14, you will be asked to rank your room type preferences because we will assign you to a room and roommate in June/July.

Housing Timeline:

  • October 7: Housing application opens for Spring 25 housing (if you're joining us in January) and for 25-26 academic year housing. If you are joining us for the spring semester and intend to live with us the following fall, you are encouraged to apply for housing for both terms when the application opens (this would be two separate housing applications: Spring 25 Housing and 25-26 Academic Year Housing).
  • December 27: Cancellation deadline for Spring 25 housing. Cancellations received by this date will receive a $200 refund of their $250 prepayment.
  • February 14: Priority deadline for students who want to choose their room and roommate.
  • July 1: Cancellation deadline for fall housing. Cancellations received by this date will receive a $200 refund of their $250 prepayment.

Applying for housing is easy and takes less than 15 minutes! Review each step below.

Step 1: Apply for admission to the university.

Apply for admission


Step 2: Complete housing application.

Using your StarID/password, complete the Housing Application in the Housing & Dining Portal. Click below for a step-by-step guide. Applications are received on a first-come, first-serve basis and determine when you select your room, so we encourage you to apply early!

If you apply for 25-26 housing between October 7 and February 14, we will not ask for your room or roommate preference in the housing application. Why? Because you are on track to choose your own roommate and room in the spring.

If you apply for 25-26 housing after February 14, you will be asked to rank your room type preferences in the application because we will assign you to a room and roommate.

Apply for housing

How to complete your housing application


Step 3: Sign the housing contract.

Housing Contracts are signed within the Housing & Dining Portal.  Students under age 18 need to have a parent/guardian sign the contract, in addition to the student.  Housing Contracts are in effect for one academic year.  Once signed, the contract is legal and binding and cannot be broken (except in very specific circumstances). The terms and conditions should be understood prior to signing.

Housing Contract Information


Step 4: Pay the prepayment.

A $250 prepayment is required to complete a student's reservation.  The link to complete your prepayment is located in the housing application.

Your reservation is not complete until we receive your prepayment (your application could be cancelled if prepayment is not received).

Unlike a deposit, a student's prepayment is applied to the student's first semester room charges. A reduced prepayment may be available if you qualify.

To pay your prepayment:

  1. Login to E-services using your StarID/password.
  2. Click Bills and Payment, then click Prepayments. Select the correct term and year.

No, the housing contract you sign commits you to living with us for the length of the contract. See more information below.

Housing contracts are in effect for one academic year or that portion of the academic year remaining at the time occupancy  begins. Once signed, a contract can only be ended under specific critera. Those criteria are:

  • withdrawal from all classes
  • transfer to another school
  • graduation
  • marriage during the term
  • affiliation with a MNSU program away from the Mankato campus
  • serious medical or health problems which impedes the ability of the resident to fulfill terms of the housing contract.

Learn more about the housing contract

Location icon of map pin

The date you complete your housing reservation determines when you'll find out which room you will be living in. See below for more details.

A complete reservation means you have:

  1. Completed your housing application,
  2. Signed your housing contract, and
  3. Paid your prepayment.

If you complete your housing reservation by February 14, 2025:

  • You are on the priority track, which means you get to select the room you will be living in.
  • March 30-April 11, 2025 you will select your room during Room Selection. We will send you an email with your timeslot for Room Selection in mid-March.
  • You also have the option of choosing your roommate during Roommate Matching (February 24- March 14).

If you complete your housing reservation on/after February 14, 2025:

  • You are on the assignment track, meaning our office will assign you to a room in June/July..
  • When a room assignment is made, you will receive an email from our office and it will also be viewable in the Housing & Dining Portal.

As an international student, you have the same options as domestic students. To get a quick overview of your options, see below.

All of our residence halls and apartments have something different to offer.

  • If being close to everything is important: Choose a Basic, Renovated, or Semi-Suite. These room types are located on main campus and are a 5-10 minute walk to the dining center, classes, library, and campus events.
  • If having a kitchen is important: Choose an Apartment. Each apartment has a full kitchen (large kitchen sink, stove/oven, refrigerator/freezer, dishwasher, and plenty of cabinet and counter space).
  • If you want to live in the same room for the whole year (12 months): Choose an Apartment. Students who live in our apartments can extend their housing into the summer, meaning you can stay in the same place for the whole year and don't have to hassle with moving.
  • If being near a transportation hub is important: Any of our options are a great option! We have bus shelters near each residence community and students can ride the city bus for free to get to shopping locations easily. Land to Air Express also has a drop-off and pick-up location on campus when you need transportation to and from MSP Airport.
  • If living economically is important to you: Choose an Apartment. Students living in a double room at Stadium Heights for the whole year (12 months), will spend an average of $661 per month on all their housing expenses (this includes all utilities and $500 Dining Dollars to use August-May on the Maverick 250 Dining Dollars plan). Students who live on campus also pay one bill a semester instead of many monthly bills for off-campus living.
  • If meeting new people is important to you: Choose a Basic or Renovated room. Students living in these room types meet more people quickly than other room types due to the shared community spaces on each floor (lounge, kitchen, and bathroom).

Not necessarily! The price to live on campus varies based on the choices you make for your living arrangements. See how we compare to off campus housing below.

In Residential Life Housing, all of your living expenses are included in your room rate. Your room rate includes the following:

Room Heat Electricity Water/Trash Cable/Streaming
Laundry Internet Social Events Furniture 24/7 Security

Students living in Residential Life Housing are required to have a meal plan.  Many students who choose our apartment option, will select the Maverick 250 Dining Dollars plan because they have a kitchen in their apartment.


Living off campus, you will pay monthly bills for many of the services we include, in addition to monthly rent. You will also need to budget for everyday expenses, such as food.

Cost Comparison
Mailing format icon

Some international students will mail packages to themselves prior to arriving on campus. Find out how to do that below.

You will learn your mailing address after you have selected a room OR after you have been assigned a room. It will be available in the Housing & Dining Portal.

When sending packages, make sure to write the student's complete name and address. If purchasing items online to be shipped, make sure the student's name appears in the "ship to" address.

Resident's Full Name
Residence Community Name, Hall Letter, and Room Number
Hall Street Address
Mankato, MN 56001

Mailing Addresses

Yes, students living in Residential Life Housing are required to have a meal plan (per the Housing Contract). Learn more about your choices below.

MEAL PLANS

Residential students may choose from any of the four meal plans that are offered.

  • Anytime: Can eat anytime you want in the dining center and includes $100 Dining Dollars/semester that can be spent at any retail dining location on campus.
  • 14 Meals Per Week: Averages out to 2 meals per day in the dining center and includes $200 Dining Dollars/semester that can be spent at any retail dining location on campus.
  • 160 Meals Per Semester: Breaks down to approximately 10 meals per week with the ability to convert meals to Dining Dollars that can be spent at retail dining locations on campus.
  • Maverick 250 Dining Dollars plan: No meals are included in this plan, only $250 Dining Dollars each semester. Dining Dollars can be spent at any retail dining location on campus. Students living in our apartments often choose this meal plan.

University Dining Center

The University Dining Center has many dining options, including vegan and vegetarian, and gluten-free. Each station in the dining center offers different food options. Stations include:

  • Salad Bar
  • Deli
  • Roasted Roots
  • Creations
  • Simple Servings
  • Bakery
  • Pizza
  • Classics

Yes, University Dining offers Halal options. Menu items must be requested by calling ahead (507-389-1513) or ordering in-person and waiting. See food options below.

University Dining offers Halal chicken patties, Halal beef patties, and Halal bone-in chicken.

Yes! Residential Life works in partnership with the Kearney International Center to provide housing accommodations for international students arriving early to attend orientation. Learn more below.

Generally speaking, we allow new international students with a housing assignment to move in up to one week prior to their scheduled orientation date with an approved early arrival request.

Students seeking early arrival need to submit an early arrival request in the Housing & Dining Portal. Once approved, details regarding check-in will be shared with the student.


Students attending Spring 25 Orientation

  • Form will TENTATIVELY open December 2 in the Housing & Dining Portal. This date is subject to change.

Students attending Fall 25 Orientation

  • Form will TENTATIVELY open July 28 in the Housing & Dining Portal. This date is subject to change.

COST

Approved early arrivals will be responsible for a $27 per day daily rate that will be billed to their student account. Meals are provided for early arriving students.

Early Arrival Information

Most international students book transportation to Mankato on shuttle service from MSP Airport. See your options below.

Here are some popular options to travel to Mankato from MSP Airport. This provider makes stops on the MNSU campus.

We will provide the essentials, but there are some items you will need to purchase for your room. See below for a list of items.

Provided

  • Bed with mattress
  • Desk and desk chair
  • Dresser
  • Shared closet space
  • Sink in each room
  • Blind for window

BRING/SHOP FOR

View our list of things to bring


LOCAL SHOPPING

There are stores within Mankato where you can pick up items for your room. Here are a few popular options: