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Education Resources for Immigrants and Refugees

Search for training programs throughout Minnesota.

Below are resources to find out where to obtain recertification and re-licensure of international degrees, locate schools, and explore education resources.

English Language and Other Training Resources

  • Adult Basic Education (ABE)
    Serves learners ages 16 and over who are not enrolled in school and who have educational skills below that of high school graduates. Review details about typical course work, including English as a second language (ESL) and General Educational Development (GED) test preparation. Find links to training locations and GED testing centers.
  • Literacy Minnesota
    Call the hotline or use the online search tool to find Minnesota programs that offer basic reading, writing, and math classes. You can also search for English language (ESL) classes, GED preparation and testing sites, adult high school diploma programs, and computer training.

Application and Admission to College Resources

  • International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS)
    Assists international students and scholars at the University of Minnesota with their non-immigrant status in the United States. The office issues non-immigrant documents required by the U.S. government for persons with certain types of visas: F-1 (student), J-1 (student and scholar), and H-1B (specialty occupation). Individuals who are, or plan to be, affiliated with the university and those who hold other types of non-immigrant visas may also seek information from ISSS.
  • EducationUSA
    Find student visa and testing information for students who want to study in the United States. Provides links to advising centers throughout the world.
  • Search Colleges
    Search for a Minnesota State college or university anywhere in Minnesota. You can search by school name, region, type of school, or keyword. Find school contact information for admissions, financial aid, and related web addresses and general information.
  • Apply to College
    Find general tips for applying to schools. If your native language is not English, you may need to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Find out more about undergraduate college admissions tests and graduate college admissions tests.
  • Education Glossary
    Look up common terms to better understand college application documents and rules.

Schools and Educational Services for Children

  • Early Literacy and Families (ELF) Program, Minnesota Literacy Council
    Provides an English school for preschoolers whose parents attend MLC English classes. Offers literacy home visits to families who qualify.
  • La Oportunidad, Inc.
    Provides bilingual and culturally relevant education and support to Latino children, youth, adults, and families located in Minneapolis. Services include intervention and skill-building for middle and high school students, prevention of domestic violence for adult males, parenting groups, and K-5 school-based programs.
  • Greatschools
    Compare Minnesota K-12 (kindergarten through 12th grade) schools. You can search for schools by address, school district, or county. Read parent reviews, compare test scores, and find information about teachers and students.