Eligibility

Cornell employees may be eligible to take up to four credits of tuition-free study in on-campus or online courses each semester.

To determine your eligibility, review Education Benefits at Cornell or contact the Office of Human Resources (607.255.3936).

Employee tuition and fees

  • Up to four credits per semester: No tuition charge, but you're responsible for any course fees.
    • Course fees are typically associated with labs and studios.
    • Fees are listed with the course description on the Cornell University roster.
  • More than four credits in a semester: You'll pay tuition for all credits exceeding four and any course fees.

To register

1. Select your course(s)

If you haven't done so already, find your course and note the following:

  • Class name
  • Section ID
  • Number
  • Session
  • Credits
  • Grade option

You’ll enter this information on your registration request form. You’ll be asked to select preferred and alternate courses. If your preferred course is full, you’ll be enrolled in your alternate course instead. We encourage you to register early for the best chance of getting into your preferred course.

Also, review prerequisites, credit limits, and instructions for selecting courses.

Choose from

2. Request approvals/permissions

A: Direct supervisor and department head approval

During the registration period for the term in which you wish to enroll, you must request and submit approvals from your direct supervisor and department head. Please obtain approval from these parties via email. When emailing for approval, you must include course information, such as title, instruction mode, and meeting times, so that your supervisor can accurately assess the time commitment required.

B: Course instructor, department, or college registrar approval (required in Fall/Spring only)

During the Fall/Spring registration period in which you wish to enroll, you must request approval to join a course from the instructor, related department, or college registrar.

To determine from whom you need permission, see the list of required enrollment approvals by college. A sample email to send is included on this page.

Note: This approval does not guarantee a spot in the class if it fills.

C: After you have received all required approvals, please save them

Please save your approvals as PDFs or copy and paste them into Microsoft Word and upload them into your registration form (step 3).

3. Submit a registration request form

Register online

Please keep in mind the registration deadline for your session:

4. Complete the Financial Responsibility Agreement

The Financial Responsibility Agreement

Please complete the Financial Responsibility Agreement. You are required to submit this form even though your tuition will be waived.

5. Complete the Term Checklist

The checklist will appear in your "To-Do List" in Student Center 1-2 days after your registration has been processed. You will not be enrolled in classes until all requirements are met.

You will not be enrolled in classes until all requirements are met.

6. Review your enrollment confirmation

Once you've completed the required steps and if there is space in your class(es), you'll be officially enrolled, and you’ll receive an enrollment confirmation email.

Upon receiving an enrollment confirmation, please visit Student Center to verify that you are enrolled in the correct class(es) and that the correct grading basis is reflected.

Learn about course materials, textbooks, and course expectations.

Contact us if you have any questions about this process.