Recent studies have found that domestic students who have interacted with international students develop more diverse skills. These skills include: the ability to examine their own beliefs and values; acquire new skills and knowledge independently; formulate creative ideas; integrate ideas and information; achieve quantitative abilities; understand the role of science and technology in society; and gain in-depth knowledge in a specific field. The benefits of interacting with people from other cultures cannot be denied! Our international students will receive individualized student attention and support. 

During the 2020-2021 school year, Totino-Grace has students attending from China, Spain, Thailand, Gambia, Canada, Haiti, Hong Kong, Tanzania, and Vietnam. In past years, TG has hosted students from numerous other countries including Argentina, France, Germany, Guatemala, Ireland, Japan, Kenya, Liberia, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Poland, South Korea, Taiwan, and United Kingdom.

Totino-Grace has an on campus boarding residence center which allows domestic and international students to live on campus. The building is safe and secure, while physically connected to the school building. This is a great benefit for being involved in co-curricular activities and in the winter. For more information about the boarding program, please click HERE.

Totino-Grace High School assumes that international students and their families will take responsibility for financing their educations. Tuition is the same for international students as domestic!  See fees listed below. We highly recommend students establish a U.S. bank account with a debit/credit card so that they can pay other costs directly and be able to access cash for incidental expenses.

Fees for 2020-2021:
Tuition: $15,980
Enrollment Fee: $1,000 (re-enrollment drops to $300)
Technology Fee: $400 (students issued an Apple MacBook Air Laptop)
Room & Board: $19,450 (on-campus dormitory)

If you are interested in international student financial aid, click HERE to fill out the application. 

Click HERE to view our specific international scholarship for first-time international students to Totino-Grace. International students are also invited to apply for our Rachel Woell Inspiration Scholarship and our Four Pillars Scholarship (note the deadline for these is in January every year). 

Room & Board fees include:

• Transportation to/from airport to school at the beginning and end of the school year
• A safe, on-campus dormitory with supervisory adult residential staff 
• Breakfast and dinner in the dormitory 
• School counselors for academic advising, college-prep, etc. 
• Arrangement of weekend activities 
• Bi-weekly trips to Target or other stores for personal needs, and much more!

International Student Insurance

• Totino-Grace requires that all Students residing in the dormitory have medical insurance coverage through StudentSecure Insurance through Tokio Marine HCC to ensure that each student has sufficient medical insurance coverage. The policy levels that are accepted by Totino-Grace are: Elite, Select, or Budget. Parents must enroll the Student in International Student Health Insurance through StudentSecure prior to the Student’s arrival to the United States and send proof of insurance to Shanna Peterson. To find out more, click HERE. 

Admission process for international students: 

Step One: Complete application file - application, two letters of recommendation, copy of transcripts, and a virtual interview to assess English levels.   
Step Two: Contingent acceptance to TG
Step Three: Submit Enrollment Contract and $1000 fee

Click HERE to learn about the I-20.
Click HERE to access the application steps listed above.

Did you know: Unlike public schools, Totino-Grace has no government regulations on the length of time a student can attend school in the U.S. If you come for your freshman year, you could stay and graduate as an Eagle! 

100% of our students at Totino-Grace graduate and 97% of them continue on to college (the rest join the workforce, military, or sports). 90% of those students attend four-year colleges or universities, the other attending two year. Curious about where students go? The list below is just a few of the schools our graduates have attended in the last five years!

Some top schools you may recognize:

Boston College
Carnegie Mellon University 
Colgate University 
Dartmouth College 
Fordham University 
Harvard 
Loyola University Chicago 
Marquette University 
Northwestern University 
Purdue University 
Texas A&M
University of California - Berkeley 
University of Chicago
University of Notre Dame
University of Pennsylvania 
University of San Diego
Villanova University 
Virginia Tech 
Whittier College 

Schools in and near the Twin Cities:

Augsburg University
Bethel University 
College of Saint Benedict 
Concordia University 
Gustavus Adolphus College  
Hamline University 
Macalester College 
Saint John’s University 
St. Catherine University
St. Cloud State University 
St. Olaf College 
University of Minnesota (one of the top research institutions in the nation)
University of St. Thomas 

Other state schools outside of Minnesota:

Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, D.C., Florida, Georgie, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Meet a few of our international students from recent years:

Yaotian (Neo) Li (China)
Class of 2020
Attending the University of Minnesota

Paul Zhang (China)
Class of 2020
Attending Perdue University 

Shuaib Khalif (Canada)
Class of 2020
Attending the University of St. Thomas 

Thuy Pham
Class of 2019 
Attending Colorado State

Yang Yang
Class of 2019
Attending Colgate University

Zora Jiaoyang
Class of 2018
Attending Case Western University 

We asked, "Why do you love TG?" and they said...

"I love Totino-Grace because it is a lovely community where everyone encourages and shares happiness to each other. I like our school’s teaching environment. There are so many lovely and cute teachers who are more like our close friends or parents and who we want to be in close contact with to share their experiences and knowledge."

"One thing I love about Totino-Grace is that it teaches every student to treat each other equally well by passing on the knowledge of Catholic faith and keeping their respect of God. I don’t feel any discrimination or prejudice in students and teachers, and everyone is so positive an encouraging to each other."

"I can see my personality change dramatically from being uncommunicative to being outgoing and sociable because of all the students around me who helped me overcome my first year at TG. I used to not be athletic or do any physical activities, but once I came here, I saw most of the students engaged in after-school sports and this made me want to join with them. I like the concentration and activeness of students in either their study or physical health."

"In a nutshell, I think coming to Totino-Grace High School to study is one of the best decisions I have made in my education path because it teaches me so many things and gives me confidence in all areas of my life."

“I love Totino-Grace because of the community in this school. The teachers are always helping you when you need it and they always want the best for you. There are tons of activities, clubs, or sports to join and enjoy with your friends and teammates. Another reason why I love TG is because they help you grow in faith and find Jesus most fully inside you.”

"I wanted to take a second and formally thank all the Totino-Grace community for the amazing year I was lucky to live. I am immensely grateful for the support and gestures that do not get unnoticed. When I took my first plane to Minnesota, I couldn't imagine how many opportunities TG would give me and how fun and touching being an eagle could be. All my understanding teachers helped me every time I needed it and made me feel proud about myself. I have learned a lot in every class and it is all thanks to my teachers that have dedicated all their time. I have not only learned academically but I have grown spiritually. Totino-Grace High School is the ideal place to build up your relationship with God and grow in faith. During this journey, one of my favorite moments was all the heart-warming masses. To see how all the community gets together to sing and praise our Father was definitely an example of how committed the school is to the catholic values. One of the best things TG has given me is all the beautiful friendships I've made in class and the residence center. They all have shown me how important love and acceptance are. The friends I've made will last forever and luckily we can visit each other. I also want to add how fun it was to join some sports. I have absolutely enjoyed every practice and time with my teammates and coaches. My best memories are on the gym with all the amazing people I’ve met playing volleyball or softball and celebrating each other's successes. To conclude I would love to repeat how lucky I feel to be a TG exchange student, all the support and care the school has shown me has made me realize how proud and happy I am of being part of the community, everyone, all the teachers, counselors, the dorm staff, cooks, have made my journey the best year of my life, and I am so grateful for that." 

"It wasn't easy for me to leave home and study abroad in the states, but thanks to the Totino-Grace faculties, and especially the ones working at the TG residence center, they did tremendously well to make me feel comfortable and welcomed just like home. I have learned so many things from students with different nationalities and backgrounds both at school and the residence center, it really broadened my vision! Furthermore, the teachers here are always kind and supportive of their students since they really take their time explaining things to us. I feel more than satisfied in my first year at this school!"

Totino-Grace and the University of St. Thomas are excited to provide a special opportunity for international graduates of TG! 

International students who hold a valid F-1 visa, graduate from Totino-Grace, and meet the following admission standards will automatically be accepted to the University of St. Thomas upon submission of their application form, transcripts, and satisfactory proof of English proficiency. International students of Totino-Grace have to meet English standards before admittance so we have strong confidence that none of these admission requirements will be an issue! 

Each eligible applicant will get an annual merit-based scholarship in the amount of 40% - 70% discount off tuition! For continuing students in good academic standing, this award is renewable for up to four consecutive years, or completion of 132 credits, whichever comes first. 

How to get acceptance into the University of St. Thomas with this special deal?

1. Submit a formal application by April 1st during the final year of high school

2. Demonstrate English proficiency requirements set by the University of St. Thomas found HERE

3. Graduate from Totino-Grace with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher (transcripts must be provided with application to the University of St. Thomas)

4. Participate in a formal campus visit to the University of St. Thomas

To learn more about the University of St. Thomas, please visit their website HERE!

Shanna Peterson
Assistant Director of Enrollment & International Students
Social Media Specialist 
+1-763-586-6318

Shanna attended the University of Minnesota and obtained her Bachelor's degree in Italian Studies and Master's degree in Organization Leadership and Policy Development, focusing on higher education and international education. Shanna lived in Italy for a year while studying abroad during her undergraduate studies and moved to Thailand for a year to teach English abroad after graduation. She has done extensive traveling and has a passion for cultural diversity and education. Shanna's role at Totino-Grace focuses specifically on international students and domestic boarding students to help them through the process. Chat with Shanna to see why she loves the Twin Cities and how she can help you enroll at TG.