Cornell Employees & Retirees
How to register
Cornell employees
Eligibility
How many credits can I take each semester?
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, contact the Office of Human Resources (607.255.3936).
Note: Cornell faculty and academic staff may not be eligible for tuition benefits and should contact the Office of Human Resources to confirm. Those not approved must register as general registrants or auditors (noncredit, with transcript) and the full tuition is the student’s responsibility.
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 lab, studio, and physical education classes.
- 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
Cornell employees in the EDP program
If you're a current employee registered in the Employee Degree Program (EDP), please use Student Center for Summer, Fall, and Spring registration.
For Winter registration, please follow the steps on the page for current Cornell undergraduate and graduate students.
Cornell employees not in the EDP program
If you’re a current employee, but not participating in the Employee Degree Program, you will register via the Cornell SCE online registration system following the steps below.
Contact us if you have any questions about this process.
A: Request approvals/permissions as needed
During the registration period for the term in which you wish to enroll, request and submit approvals from your
- Direct supervisor and
- Department head
Please do not submit this form until your registration period has begun.
This form will be sent directly to your supervisor and department head. You must include your course information, such as title, instruction mode, and meeting times, so that your supervisor can accurately assess the time commitment required. Once both parties approve, the electronic form is sent to SCE for processing.
Note: If your supervisor and department head are the same person, you will need to list them twice.
In addition, for Fall/Spring courses, you must obtain permission from your instructor, department, or college registrar to join a course. Note: This approval does not guarantee a spot in the class if it fills.
To determine from whom you need permission, see the list of required enrollment approvals by college.
B. Register online
This form will submit your registration to the SCE Registrar’s Office.
Please keep in mind the registration deadline for your session:
C. Complete Term Checklist
The Checklist will appear in your "To-Do List" in Student Center the day after your registration form has been processed.
Detailed instructions will be sent after your registration form has been processed.
You will not be enrolled in classes until all requirements are met.
D. 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 the SCE Registrar will send you an email from cusce@cornell.edu confirming enrollment.
You'll also receive an email if your approved course is full.
Upon receiving an enrollment confirmation, please visit the 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.
Cornell retirees
Eligibility
How many credits can I take each semester?
Cornell retirees are eligible to register in up to six credit hours of tuition-free study in on-campus or online courses each semester.
Retiree tuition and fees
- Up to six credits per semester: No tuition charge, but you're responsible for any course fees.
- Course fees are typically associated with lab, studio, and physical education classes.
- 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
You will register via the Cornell SCE online registration system following the steps below.
A. Request permission to register, if needed
If you wish to register in Summer/Winter courses, you may skip to Step B.
To register in Fall/Spring courses, you must first obtain permission from your instructor, department, or college registrar to join a course. Note: This approval does not guarantee a spot in the class if it fills.
To determine from whom you need permission, see the list of required enrollment approvals by college.
When you have all permissions in hand, please forward them, in one email message, to the SCE registrar at cusce@cornell.edu.
B. Register online
This form will submit your registration to the SCE Registrar’s Office.
Please keep in mind the registration deadline for your session:
C. Complete Term Checklist
The Checklist will appear in your "To-Do List" in Student Center the day after your registration form has been processed.
Detailed instructions will be sent after your registration form has been processed.
You will not be enrolled in classes until all requirements are met.
D. 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 the SCE Registrar will send you an email from cusce@cornell.edu confirming enrollment.
You'll also receive an email if your approved course is full.
Upon receiving an enrollment confirmation, please visit the 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.