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 Students/General Registrants
• 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 three credits for a three-week session
• At least six credits for a six- or eight-week session

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 International Student Required Documents.

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 your course number and title, which you will need to complete the steps below.

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

Choose your course(s) from the Summer Session course roster.

4. Submit International Student Required Documents

To enroll for on-campus study, you must

A. Create an online enrollment account

B. Use that account to submit the following required information:

• A clear copy of the biographical data page of your passport.
• The courses you wish to take, including course title, number, and section.
• Documentation showing that you've met the English Language Proficiency test score requirements.
• 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 $1,750 per credit, plus $550 per week estimated living expenses, plus funds to cover either the Cornell student health fee or heath plan (between approximately $210 and $3,500, depending on coverage).

Notes:

• A $75 non-refundable I-20 processing fee will be collected when you submit the request form and corresponding documents.
• 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 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

5. Pay your tuition and fees

Tuition and fees are due upon submission of your International Student Required Documents.

See tuition, how to pay. and payment deadlines.

In addition to the payment methods listed on the how to pay page, international students who are visiting Cornell may also pay by credit card (this exception does not apply to full-time Cornell students).

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

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.

6. Complete enrollment requirements

A. Activate your Cornell NetID

You'll receive email instructions from IT@Cornell for activating your Cornell NetID and setting up your Cornell NetID email.

B. 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.

7. 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 the SCE Registrar will send you an email from cusce@cornell.edu confirming enrollment.

You'll also receive an email if your approved course or courses are full. Please have one or two back-up courses in mind so that we can help you enroll in your second choice(s). As a reminder, all students on an F1 visa must maintain full-time student status, which means you must be enrolled in at least three credits for a three-week session or at least six credits for a six- or eight-week session during Summer Session

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.

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.

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.