Education Resources for Immigrants and Refugees

Search for training programs throughout Minnesota, find out where to obtain recertification and re-licensure of international degrees, locate schools, and various other education resources.

English language and other training

Adult Basic Education
Adult Basic Education (ABE) programs serve learners ages 16 and over who are not formally enrolled in school and who have educational skills below the high school completion level. See details on ISEEK about typical course work including English as a second language (ESL) and GED test preparation. Find links to Training Locations and General Educational Development (GED) Testing Centers.

Hennepin County Library Classes
Hennepin County Library offers free basic and intermediate computer classes at many locations.

Minnesota Literacy Council
Call the Hotline or use the online search tool to find out programs around Minnesota that offer basic reading, writing, and math classes; English language (ESL) classes including "Functional Work English"; GED preparation and testing sites; adult high school diploma programs; and computer training.

Search Programs
Find a Minnesota program through ISEEK that suits your needs. Search by keyword or select from multiple criteria such as program subject, school name or type of school, region, or delivery method.

1. Application and admission to college

   New to America
   The Immigration Law website presents a step-by-step guide to college application for foreign applicants, including information on required testing for college admission.

   International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS)
   International Student and Scholar Services is dedicated to assist international students and scholars at the University of Minnesota in maintaining 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 of Minnesota and those who hold other types of non-immigrant visas may also seek information from ISSS.

   Search Colleges
   Use ISEEK to locate a school of higher education 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 along with other general school information.

   Apply to College
   Use ISEEK to find general tips for applying to schools. If your native language is not English and you are planning to study in a North American college or university, you may be required 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 these frequently used terms to better understand college application documents and rules.




2. Schools and educational services for children

   Early Literacy and Families (ELF) Program
   The Minnesota Literacy Council operates an English school for preschoolers whose parents attend MLC English classes and 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 high school and middle school students, prevention of domestic violence for adult males, parenting groups, and K-5 school-based programs.

   MN Association of Charter Schools
   Learn about MN Charter Schools. This site provides a MN Charter School Directory that lists all operating MN charter schools. There are also charter school facts and statistics, as well as resources for parents to help them choose a charter school.

   Greatschools
   Compare Minnesota K-12 schools using this online tool. You can search for schools by address, school district, or county. Read parent reviews, compare test scores, and find information about teachers and students.

   School Report Card
   Search by school or district to find a school near you. This school and district report card page offers a comprehensive look at K-12 (kindergarten through 12th Grade) schools in an easy to read format for parents. Test results and other school characteristics can be easily compared between and among all schools in the state.




3. Alternative and charter schools

   Metropolitan Federation of Alternative Schools
   The Metropolitan Federation of Alternative Schools (MFAS) is an alliance of community-based nonprofit organizations that operate small alternative school sites in the Twin Cities area. Their goal is to assist at-risk students in attending schools that help them develop to their full potential. This page is a list of federation member schools.

   Minnesota Association of Alternative Programs (MAAP)
   MAAP offers a listing of Minnesota Alternative Schools.