International Students in Summer

1. Review visa requirements

Most international students in on-campus courses will need an F-1 student visa to study at Cornell. You cannot study at the university on a tourist visa.

• If you do not need an F-1 visa or will be taking online classes, please follow the registration steps for Visiting Non-Degree Students
• If you need an F-1 visa and will be coming to the Cornell campus, please proceed with the steps below.

The F-1 student visa requires that students studying in the United States be fluent in written and spoken English. This proficiency is also critical to your success at Cornell. Please review the English Language Proficiency requirements.

In addition, you must be enrolled for the duration of your program in

• At least six credits in a six- or eight-week session or two back-to-back three-week sessions

Obtaining the F-1 visa may take a number of weeks. Therefore, we ask you to submit your I-20 Request Form at least six weeks before the start of your session. See Submit I-20 Documents. This is a lengthy process, so begin your application as soon as possible. Some countries require more time to schedule appointments and process visa paperwork. You can check estimated wait times for visa interviews based on location here. We cannot be responsible for delays in receiving visa documents or difficulties scheduling appointments with your U.S. embassy or consulate. However, if you encounter any visa-related issues and need to change or withdraw from your program, please contact us immediately.

2. Review deadlines

See the Summer Session academic calendar for term dates and enrollment and registration deadlines.

3. Select your course(s)

If you haven't done so already, find your course(s) 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 your course(s) from the Summer Session course roster.

4. Request registration

Submit registration form online

Register online

This form will submit your registration request to the SCE Registrar's Office.

If applicable, English Language Proficiency scores are required at time of registration. Review English Language Proficiency requirements.

Please keep in mind the registration deadline.

See the Summer Session calendar

B. Pay the registration fee (if applicable)

A nonrefundable fee of $75 must be paid in our secure online system when you submit your registration.

If you were accepted into a specific summer program, the registration fee may be waived and, if waived, will not appear on your registration form. Please contact your program coordinator with questions.

Registration requests are not processed until the registration fee is received. Allow 7-10 days after confirmation of payment to receive information on next steps.

C. Activate your Cornell NetID

After your registration is processed, you'll receive email instructions from IT@Cornell foractivating your Cornell NetID and setting up your Cornell NetID email.

D. Complete the Financial Responsibility Agreement

Using your NetID, please complete the Financial Responsibility Agreement. All students are required to complete this form.

E. Complete the Term Checklist

The Checklist will appear in your "To-Do List" in Student Center the day after you've fully activated your Cornell NetID by logging in the first time.

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

5. Review your enrollment confirmation

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

You'll also receive an email if your preferred and alternate course or courses are full. You may opt to choose a different course or withdraw your registration request.

As a reminder, all students on an F1 visa must maintain full-time student status, which means you must be enrolled in at least six credits in a six- or eight-week session or two back-to-back three-week sessions.

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.

6. Pay your tuition and fees

Tuition and fees are due within four days of your receipt of enrollment confirmation. You will be dropped from your course(s) if payment is not received within four days.

See tuition, how to pay. and payment deadlines.

If you're participating in more than one session, payment must be submitted for all sessions according to the applicable dates for the first session in which you are enrolling.

You're responsible for the tuition associated with all classes in which you’re enrolled, whether or not you participate in those classes.

If you no longer wish to take a class, follow the steps on the course changes page to drop it immediately. If you drop after the refund period has passed (see dates and deadlines), you'll be responsible for the total cost of your tuition.

International students attending on-campus classes are required to pay the Student Health Fee and enroll in Cornell's Student Health Plan. See the health services page.

7. Submit I-20 Documents

After you have completed the registration requirements and been enrolled in your course(s), you will gain access to the I-20 request form in your registration account.

Use that form to submit the following required information:

• A clear copy of the biographical data page of your passport.
• Financial verification:
  • Personal funds: You must provide a current statement from a bank guaranteeing that you have sufficient funding to cover your tuition and living expenses while studying at Cornell.
  • Sponsorship: If receiving funding from a sponsorship or scholarship, you must provide a letter certifying your funding and the total amount given.
  • The total in U.S. dollars for sufficient funding must equal the course fee of$1,840 per credit, plus $550 per week estimated living expenses, plus fundsto cover either the Cornell student health fee or heath plan (between approximately $210 and $3,500, depending on coverage).

Notes:

• If you have received your I-20 form and have questions regarding your F-1 student visa application or other immigration matters, contact the Office of Global Learning's International Services.
• If you have not received your I-20 form as expected, contact our office.
• If you're already attending a school in the U.S. or will be in the next term, a new I-20 may not be required. To check, please contact our office at cusce@cornell.edu and include information about your current status.

8. Complete your onboarding requirements

Before beginning your term, you must complete the steps on the SCE onboarding page.

These requirements include familiarizing yourself with important policies and determining if you need to enroll in Cornell's student health plan.

Note:

By submitting an online registration, you are recognizing your responsibility to read, understand, and abide by the rules and procedures outlined on this website, including the image release statement, and the policies under the "Students" heading on the Cornell Policy Office site. You further recognize that you will not be exempted from the requirements of those rules and procedures because of ignorance, negligence, illness, other personal factors, or contradictory advice from any source.

9. When you arrive on campus

All students

• Once you arrive at Cornell and are within five days of your Cornell start date, you must complete the Office of Global Learning International Services (IS) online status activation procedure.
• IS provides many useful services and programs to international students, including a quick guide to life at Cornell.