After you have applied and been accepted into Precollege, you will select and enroll in your chosen course(s).
International students enrolling in on-campus courses
Residential or Commuter program
- 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.
International students enrolling in online courses
Online program
- Not required to obtain a visa
F-1 student visa requirements
To obtain an F-1 student visa, you must: (icons below are placeholders)
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 class or two three-week classes simultaneously.
Applying for a visa
After you have enrolled, you will submit an I-20 request form via your Student Portal. The I-20 request form requires you to:
1. Submit a clear copy of the biographical data page of your passport.
2. Provide financial verification.
You (or your parent/guardian/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 enrolled program:
Residential Program
For a residential six-week session or two back-to-back three-week sessions
| Tuition | Residential Fee | Health Insurance | Health Fee | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 credits | $11,640 | $6,595 | $670 | $167 | $19,072 |
| 7 credits | $13,580 | $6,595 | $670 | $167 | $21,012 |
| 8 credits | $15,520 | $6,595 | $670 | $167 | $22,952 |
See tuition and fees for the Residential Program for a full breakdown of charges.
Commuter Program
For a commuter six-week session or two back-to-back three-week sessions
| Tuition | Estimated living expenses | Health Insurance | Health Fee | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 credits | $11,640 | $3,300 | $670 | $167 | $15,777 |
| 7 credits | $13,580 | $3,300 | $670 | $167 | $17,717 |
| 8 credits | $15,520 | $3,300 | $670 | $167 | $19,657 |
See tuition and fees for the Commuter Program for a full breakdown of charges.
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 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. 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