Why is it called Snow College? Is it because of the weather?
We get asked this question a lot! While we do enjoy beautiful, crisp winters here in Utah (as well as spring, summer and fall), our name has nothing to do with snow. In fact, it's conneced to our origins. Let's start at the beginning...
On November 5, 1888, forty years after the first settlers came to Ephraim and eight years before Utah was admitted to the Union, Snow College began as the Sanpete Stake Academy founded by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints. Twelve years later in 1900, the school was renamed Snow Academy in honor of the then-President of The LDS Church, Lorenzo Snow, and his cousin Erastus Snow, who was instrumental in helping settle the Sanpete Valley.
Over the next 100 years, we continued to grow and evolve. In 1998, Snow College merged with the former Sevier Valley Applied Technology Center, located in Richfield. The Richfield campus adds a strong program of technical education offerings and a growing number of academic courses to complement the offerings on our Ephraim campus. Today, Snow College is an accredited state college offering liberal arts and technical education programs, online degrees, short‑term training, various Associate Degrees and even two four-year Baccalaureate Degrees.
What does Snow's International Department do?
The Center for Global Engagement works collaboratively with faculty, student groups, and departments throughout Snow College to provide and support meaningful global activities, discussions, projects, and opportunities for the Snow College community. At Snow College, international students enjoy our small class sizes, a beautiful, safe campus, and excellent teachers.
Do you have more questions?
Explore our Interactive Viewbook, review our FAQs below, email us at international@snow.edu any time, or use our Live Chat to speak with our current international students.
Your American Higher Education experience can include Years 1 & 2 at Snow College in Utah, and then Years 3 & 4 at a university of your choice. This gives you both an Associate's Degree and a Bachelor's Degree, and enables you to earn two degrees for the price of one! See this page to learn more about the benefits community colleges offer, which makes a US education accessible and affordable.
To get more information about our academic programs, please visit our academic program page.
If you are in academic classes, you will register with your Academic Advisor. If you are admitted into our ESL program, you will take our English Placement exam and an ESL faculty member will help you register for classes.
You can review our Canvas Login Guide.
And when you're ready, go here to login.
Visit https://SnowBookStore.com to quickly find the textbooks and course materials you need to order for your specific classes*. You can have your in-stock books shipped to the Campus Store for pickup, or directly to you. It's that easy!
For customer service help with your textbook order, visit SnowBookStore.com, or call +1 855-790-6380.
* Personalized course textbook and materials list will be available in your bookstore account within 24 hours of registering for classes.
The Center for Global Engagement office does not offer tutoring or academic support, but several departments at Snow College do. For example, our Math Lab, Speech Lab, and Writing Lab give you daily access to professors and student-tutors, and we even offer free online tutoring through Tutor.com which is available on-demand, 24 hours a day. Learn more about our Academic Support Services.
We offer over 90 programs at Snow, including two Bachelor's degrees in Commercial Music and Software Engineering.
If you’re interested in earning a bachelor’s degree in a different field, you can transfer to any university in the state of Utah. In addition to in-state universities, Snow College has agreements with universities around the U.S. to give international students more options and facilitate the transfer process. Learn more about your transfer options here.
International students are not required to submit SAT or ACT results for admission. Please note that if you do not submit these scores, you will need to take a Math Placement exam upon arrival to determine which level of math you are able to enroll in.
You are not required to take both exams; however, students without an English Language proficiency test score will have to take our ESL placement test when they arrive and if your scores are not equivalent to an IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 63, then you will most likely need to first enroll in our ESL Program before you can take mainstream college classes. Please note that if your native language is not English, you will need to demonstrate your language proficiency. If you hold a passport from an English-speaking country but were educated in a non-English speaking country, you will be required to submit an approved English exam or be tested by our ESL department.
Yes, we do accept Duolingo. The minimum score is 100 (minimum 85 per section).
Yes, you can be offered conditional admission to the ESL program at Snow College if your English proficiency scores are not high enough.
After you reach a certain level of English proficiency, you can join regular academic classes.
Snow College makes ESL proficiency exceptions for students from the following countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Federated States of Micronesia, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Liberia, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland), Zambia, Zimbabwe.
You can chat and meet with international students through our Unibuddy Ambassadors program. To talk with one of our ambassadors, please visit the link to Unibuddy.
If you have been accepted to more than one institution (and hence, you have multiple Form I-20s) and you paid the fee using the SEVIS ID number of another institution, but you wish to attend Snow College, you will not have to pay the fee again.
However, you do need to update your I-901 SEVIS form. Here’s what to do:
Students can pay online through My.Snow.Edu (our student portal). See here to learn about your options to pay the full balance, or to sign up for a monthly payment plan.
Students can pay online through My.Snow.Edu (our student portal). See our webpage to learn how to sign up for a monthly payment plan.
Yes, we offer scholarships to our international students. Please review our Cost and Scholarships page and apply using our International Student Scholarship Application.
If you are interested in applying for other scholarships as well, you can check out the Snow College central scholarship page.
If you would like to contribute to a scholarship fund so that future international students can benefit from a Snow education, you can use our Quick Form to donate an amount of your choice. Every little bit helps and even small donations of $5 can go a long way when everyone pitches in!
Yes, airport pick-up service is available each semester. Learn more about travelling to and around Snow College in Utah.
Yes, it is mandatory to attend the International Student Orientation. It's very informative and a great way to meet people and make new friends! Orientation is typically held two days before classes begin each term and you can check the exact dates here.
Please follow this guide to learn how to change your address on My.Snow.Edu.
As much as we'd like to assist, it's important to clarify that we are not lawyers and therefore cannot provide immigration advising. Immigration law is complex and varies widely based on individual circumstances and jurisdictions. For accurate and reliable guidance on immigration matters, we strongly recommend consulting with a qualified immigration attorney or accredited representative who can offer personalized assistance tailored to your specific situation. They can provide the expertise and support necessary to navigate the complexities of immigration law effectively.
On occasion, we partner with an attorney that provides free immigration workshops for students that can help them get a better understanding of laws or regulations that pertain to them.
Meanwhile, there are some areas that we are happy to assist you in, such as:
Snow College Housing and Residence life offers good quality, affordable housing on campus. You can explore your housing options by visiting our housing page.
Applications for housing typically open 4-9 months before your academic term starts. Please fill out the on-campus housing application as early as possible for the best accommodation options.
All Snow College students can receive mail at the Student Mail Center on campus (not at your on-campus housing). You can request a mail slot any time via the online form. Please see our Mail Services FAQs for more information about postal services on campus.
There's so many ways to stay active and make new friends, whether you’re participating in intramural or team sports with hundreds of other students, or joining one of over 50 clubs. You can get involved in weekly campus activities, engage in leadership opportunities, or join one of our group trips on an adventure in Utah’s National Parks. Learn more about student life at Snow College.
Snow College is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our community, including students, faculty, staff, and visitors. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristic.
In accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, Snow College prohibits discrimination in all its programs, activities, and employment practices. This applies to admissions, educational programs, athletics, employment, and access to facilities.
Snow College administration, faculty, and staff are committed to creating an environment where every individual is treated with dignity and fairness, and where respect and mutual understanding are paramount. Any form of discrimination or harassment is not tolerated and will be addressed promptly and effectively.
In addition, Title IX of the Education Amendments specifically prohibits sex discrimination in federally supported programs. In order to comply with Title IX, Snow College affirms its commitment to this policy by prohibiting any form of sexual misconduct, which includes sexual harassment, sexual violence such as rape, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, coercion, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. Local, state, and federal laws will be enforced on Snow’s campuses.
The aforementioned Federal laws prohibit covered entities from retaliating against a person who files a charge of discrimination, participates in a discrimination proceeding, or otherwise opposes an unlawful employment practice.
Learn more about Snow’s Non-Discrimination Statement.
Yes. The cost of medical services in the United States can be quite expensive, especially when treating major issues or emergencies. For this reason, all international students attending Snow College are required to purchase a health insurance policy through LewerMark, our current health insurance partner. You will automatically be registered for insurance once you register for classes. For more details on the policy we offer, see our dedicated page on health care and insurance.
No, we do not require immunization records. However, you are required to show proof of BCG vaccination or you will have to do a TB test when you arrive.
To access your Health Insurance Card, please login via the Lewermark website.
For New Students:
For Returning Students:
When entering your Date of Birth, YOU MUST INCLUDE AN EXTRA 0 for single digits (For example: Enter the Month Day Year for March 5, 2004 as 03052004).
If you are not enrolled in the system, or are not able to access your account, please contact the Center for Global Engagement so that we can help you with the process.
Yes, according to U.S. law, international students can work on-campus up to 20 hours per week during term time and up to 40 hours per week during the summer. You will need a Social Security Number to work in the U.S. See our related FAQ below for more information on how to obtain one. Explore more of our website to learn more about on- and off-campus job opportunities.
Having a U.S. bank account can help make local payments easier, such as housing, food, shopping, sightseeing or tuition. You can contact a local reputable bank upon arrival in Utah, or you can set up an account with an international financial services company such as Wise.com or Revolut.com.
When you open a U.S. bank account, you will need to provide various documents such as your passport, student visa, an I-94 form or an I-20 form. In addition, you may need to provide proof of residency such as your housing or apartment rental agreement and a recent utility bill.
A Social Security Number (SSN) is crucial for identity verification, financial transactions, employment, taxes, and healthcare. It must be kept safe to prevent identity theft, financial loss, and unauthorized access to personal information. You should never share it by phone or email. Protecting your SSN ensures security in various aspects of life and maintains your eligibility for benefits and services.
Your SSN stays with you for your entire life. If you leave the U.S. and come back, your SSN will never change.
Social Security Numbers are generally assigned to people who are authorized to work in the United States in order to report your earnings and wages to the government. More details can be found here: https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10181.pdf.
If you have a job offer (on-campus or off-campus), you will need to apply in person at the closest Social Security office located in Provo, Utah. Please contact the Center for Global Engagement to find out when the next Social Security trip will take place.
When you apply, you will need to bring the following documents:
Yes. International students going to school in the United States must file an IRS form 8843. Even if you don't have to pay taxes, you still need to file a form. Forms and tax returns typically must be filed before April 15th each year.
Snow College cannot provide you specific tax advice so you should carefully consider your own situation and determine what tax form to file.
The US taxing agency known as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) provides information for foreign students and scholars and a publication every year called Publication 519, U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens.
There are a variety of situations for international students that can initiate the need to file with the IRS, such as:
Sprintax is an online company that can help you file your taxes for a fee. We have referred students to them for many years, as they provide a very comprehensive service with intuitive software and helpful instructions. You can refer to the Sprintax Instruction Document for more information and help, in addition to the videos.
InternationalStudent.com also has a helpful site which you can refer to for tax questions.
Obtaining a Utah Driver’s License is possible for international students. You will need to present documentation proving your identification, legal status in the country, proof of Utah residency and, if applicable, your Social Security Number (SSN). Additionally, you must pass the Utah state driving and written examinations.
If you have a license in your home country, you will need to take a written test and a practical driving test and pay a fee. If you don’t have a license in your country, you will need to take a driving license course before you can take the written and driving tests.
To help people pass the Utah permit test, you can also take a free permit practice test designed by the Utah Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
For more information, see the Driver's License Division website at https://dld.utah.gov/. You must have an appointment in order to apply for a license. Click here to schedule your appointment. You can also fill out your application online here.
You will need to bring the following information to the DMV when you go to your appointment:
If you need a “Social Security Number Denial” letter in order to apply for a Utah driver license, please bring the following items to the Center for Global Engagement for help applying:
