St. Cloud State University (SCSU) is a four year university and part of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system, located in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Firstly it was founded in 1896 as a normal school. Later in 1957 it became St. Cloud State College and, in 1975 it was renamed as St. Cloud State University. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. Its mission statement says in part that the university “is committed to excellence in teaching, learning, and service, fostering scholarship and enhancing collaborative relationships in a global community.”

St. Cloud State University offers academic programs at both the undergraduate and graduate level. Also it offers a Center for Continuing and International Studies. There are 5 colleges: the G.R. Herberger College of Business, the College of Fine Arts and Humanities, the College of Education, the College of Science and Engineering, and the College of Social Sciences.

Every year St. Cloud State University tried to increase productivity of the IT department and support professionals by decreasing travel time to PCs and improve quality of service and response time to students, faculty and staff. The University maintains an overseas facility at Alnwick Castle, Northumberland, England, and offers numerous other study-abroad program locations around the world.

St. Cloud State helps fund nearly 10,000 students’ educations each year. The Financial Aid office reminds all applicants that applying for admission and applying for financial aid are two separate processes. More than $90 million in scholarships, grants, loans and work-study opportunities are distributed to students each year.

St. Cloud State University offers students distance learning and online opportunity. It includes online (through internet), interactive television, correspondence, and live classes at off-campus locations. The Online programs are designed to offer students the flexibility of studying anytime, anyplace without the time and distance constraints of attending class on campus. The distance learning program at St. Cloud State University offers students a broad variety of certificates and degrees that can be earned without having to attend classes on campus.