English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements

All Cornell students, including Precollege students, must have a strong command of the English language to be successful in their university studies. Review English Language Proficiency requirements

I-20 forms and F-1 student visas

After you have applied and been accepted into Precollege, you will select and enroll in your chosen course(s).

  • International students enrolling in online courses are not required to obtain a visa.
  • International students enrolling in on-campus courses as residential or commuter students must obtain an F-1 student visa to attend credit-bearing educational programs in the United States; you cannot attend on a B-1 or B-2 visa.

F-1 student visa requirements

To obtain an F-1 student visa, you must:

  • Be fluent in written and spoken English
  • Be enrolled for at least six weeks and taking at least six credits. (For example, you could take two six-week classes or two back-to-back three-week classes.)
  • You cannot take a single three-week program.

Applying for a visa

After you have enrolled, you will submit an I-20 request form via your Accepted Student Portal. The I-20 request form requires you

1. Submit a clear copy of the biographical data page of your passport.

2. Provide financial verification.

You (or your parent/payor) must provide a current statement from a bank guaranteeing that you have sufficient funding to cover your tuition and program fees while studying at Cornell.

The total in U.S. dollars for sufficient funding must be equal to or greater than the amount below for your program:

Residential Programs

(See Tuition for the Summer Residential Program for a breakdown of charges.)

For a residential six-week session or two back-to-back three-week sessions

  • For a six-credit program: $11,040 tuition plus $5,714 residential charge plus $670 health insurance = $17,424
  • For a seven-credit program: $12,880 tuition plus $5,714 residential charge plus $670 health insurance = $19,264
  • For an eight-credit program: $14,720 tuition plus $5,714 residential charge plus $670 health insurance = $21,104

Commuter Programs

(See Tuition for the Summer Commuter Program for more information.)

For a commuter six-week session or two back-to-back three-week sessions

  • For a six-credit program: $11,040 tuition plus $3,300 estimated living expenses plus $829 health insurance and health fee = $15,169
  • For a seven-credit program: $12,880 tuition plus $3,300 estimated living expenses plus $829 health insurance and health fee = $17,009
  • For an eight-credit program: $14,720 tuition plus $3,300 estimated living expenses plus $829 health insurance and health fee = $18,849

I-20 and F-1 processing

It can take up to four weeks after you submit your deposit and I-20 documents for your I-20 to be generated, so please be patient.

When your I-20 is ready, you will be able to access and download your document in your Accepted Student Portal.

As soon as you download and print your I-20, take it -- along with a copy of your admissions acceptance letter -- to your U.S. embassy or consulate to apply for an F-1 visa.

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.

Requirements for Canadian citizens

Canadian citizens do not need to go to a U.S. consulate to apply for a visa stamp. However, you do need to pay the SEVIS fee, and you must request F-1 status when you enter the United States by presenting

  • Your I-20
  • Your Canadian passport
  • Receipt showing you have paid the SEVIS fee