Academic Policies

Special Students and Visiting Students Policy and Procedures

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For Students Not Currently Admitted to a Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Institution

Individuals not currently admitted at another Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system school may enroll at Bemidji State University (BSU) for a purpose other than seeking a degree. This admission status is termed “Special Student Status.” (Please see MnSCU Board Procedure 3.4.1, Part 4, Subpart D.)

Special students must meet the following provisions in order to be admitted in the special student status.

1. Special student status requires that an applicant has graduated from an approved secondary school or has successfully passed the GED.
2. Special student status is not available to individuals currently on suspension or having financial obligations from another post-secondary institution.
3. Special student admission status is not available to students who have been denied regular admission to BSU.
   

Individuals admitted as special students are not eligible for financial aid or to participate in intercollegiate athletics.

For Students Currently Admitted to a Minnesota State College and Universities Institution

According to MnSCU Board Procedure 3.4.1, Part 8, Bemdiji State University allows a student who is currently admitted at another system college or university to enroll as a visiting student. Visiting students are not required to submit an application for admission, and are not a candidate for a degree, diploma or certificate at Bemidji State University while attending in a visiting student status. A visiting student may enroll in up to 18 credits (the maximum number of credits allowed by the University and as outlined in the Undergraduate Catalog). A visiting student’s total number of enrolled credits at all system colleges and universities cannot exceed 22 in any semester.

Visiting students must meet the following provisions in order to enroll with the visiting student status.

1. Visiting students shall satisfy Bemidji State University course prerequisites.
2. Enrollment is restricted to students who have earned 24 Minnesota Transfer Curriculum credits with at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average and at least a 67% completion rate at a system college or university.
3. Enrollment as a visiting student is denied to any student who has an enrollment hold due to conduct or satisfactory academic progress reasons at any system college or university.
4. Enrollment as a visiting student is denied to any student who has an enrollment hold due to outstanding financial obligations at any other system college or university.
5. The registration window for visiting students is the same as that for non-degree students. Typically the initial date of this registration window is the day after the last scheduled date for current freshman.
6. Bemidji State University will limit enrollment of visiting students in courses that historically have enrollment requests exceeding available seats.
   

Students who are denied admission or enrollment as a visiting student may appeal in writing to the Director of Admissions. Students should include their reasons for requesting a review of the denial decision related to the provisions listed above. However, appeals of denial of admission or enrollment based on financial holds will not be accepted.
 
For questions about Special Student or Visiting Student status, please contact: Office of Admissions and Scholarships.
admissions@bemidjistate.edu
1-877-236-4354 or 1-218-755-2040