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    Undergraduates and Financial Aid

    Decisions about financial aid for newly entering international undergraduates are made at the time of admission and are not changed for the duration of the undergraduate program. Cornell has a limited amount of funding available for international undergraduates, awarding only 10 - 15 scholarships in each entering class. The scholarships are either partial or full, based on the selected student’s need. It is not possible to apply for financial aid from Cornell after enrollment.

    Note: Citizens and landed immigrants of Canada, citizens of Mexico, and U.S. Permanent Residents DO qualify to apply for financial aid at Cornell and can obtain applications and information at the Financial Aid Office.

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    Graduate Assistantships, Fellowships and Taxes

    If you will receive assistantship support from Cornell, approximately 20% of your salary or monthly stipend will be deducted for federal and state income taxes. If you receive fellowship support, approximately 15% of your stipend will be deducted for taxes. If your country's government has a tax treaty with the U.S. the percentage deducted may be less. Students on assistantship through the Cornell University payroll must enroll in direct deposit and will receive a salary check deposited to their bank account twice a month, usually the first and fifteenth day of the month. Students receiving Cornell graduate fellowships are encouraged to sign up for direct deposit and typically receive their stipend in a lump sum on the first day of the semester. For questions about fellowships contact the Graduate School Student Services Office, Cornell University, 143 Caldwell Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, grad_fellowships@cornell.edu or http://www.gradschool.cornell.edu/.

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    Transferring funds to the US

    To avoid delays and cash-flow problems, you may want to open a bank account before you come to the U.S. There are four banks in Ithaca to which you can write to set up a checking account:

    Ask the bank in your country if one of these Ithaca banks is more convenient than the others for the transference of funds. Foreign checks or drafts require several weeks for collection. Drawing checks in U.S. dollars on corresponding banks in New York City will prevent delays. Direct foreign currency exchange is available on a limited basis through the Tompkins Trust Company. When initiating a transfer of money from overseas, be sure to request receipts, and allow one month for processing. The university and all local businesses accept checks or drafts only in U.S. dollars.

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    University Billing and Payments

    Billing

    The Office of the Bursar provides monthly electronic billing statements of tuition, fees, and other charges incurred by the students including housing, dining, other Campus Life expenses; parking services; health services; etc. All students will receive monthly bursar bills electronically through Cornell Net.Pay, our online billing and payment service. Paper bills will not be sent. Once you receive and activate your NETID, you will be able to enroll in our electronic billing service called Cornell Net.Pay, which allows you to receive your bursar statement on-line and make payments from a U.S. checking or savings account. For more information visit http://www.bursar.cornell.edu/. “Your Student Center” allows you to view your up-to-date account information. Forms and additional information can be located on the Office of the Bursar web page. You can also contact the Office of the Bursar via phone at (607)255-2336 or via e-mail at uco-bursar@cornell.edu.


    Payments

    Before registering, each student must pay:

    • the acceptance deposit, if required by your program
    • the current semester’s tuition
    • room and board charges (if living and eating on campus).

    In July and December, the Office of the Bursar will provide an electronic bursar bill listing the amount you need to pay before registration and the date by which it must be paid (usually five to ten working days before registration). The statement may include charges for on-campus housing, accident and sickness insurance, and the on-campus dining plan.

    If you will be paying for your university expenses out of your own funds, arrange to bring enough money in U.S. dollars to pay all university expenses. Do not bring excessive amounts of cash; instead, purchase travelers checks or a bank draft or money order which is drawn on a U.S. bank from a local bank in your country.

    You can arrange to transfer payment by wiring funds to the Cornell University bank account directly from overseas. You can find information on how to do that at http://www.bursar.cornell.edu/Wire_Transfer.cfm.


    Any charges not paid by the due date specified on the monthly Bursar bill will be assessed a finance charge of 1.25% monthly (15% annually) on the unpaid balance. Students’ university expenses are generally paid either from personal resources, by Cornell, or by sponsors.

    If your expenses will be paid by Cornell (for example, by a Teaching or Research Assistantship or Fellowship), payment for your tuition should automatically be credited to your Bursar’s account. Do not become alarmed if payment for your tuition does not appear on your July bill, as these tuition awards often are not processed until August or September. If you have received notice from Cornell that your tuition will be paid for you, deduct the tuition amount from the amount shown as due on your bill and send the difference to the Bursar so it will be received by the bill due date.

    If you are sponsored by an organization, a business, or your home government, you’ll need to mail or present a letter to the Office of the Bursar, 260 Day Hall, authorizing the Bursar to bill your sponsor. The letter should contain the following information: Name of student, Student’s Cornell ID number, beginning and ending date of the sponsorship, type of fees covered, and Sponsor’s billing address. The Office of the Bursar will prepare a separate statement for each sponsor. Items not paid for by the sponsors will appear on your monthly bursar’s statement. If your sponsor does not pay the invoices, you are still responsible for those charges.

    After you arrive, you should contact the Office of the Bursar to receive information about the process of billing sponsors. If you anticipate difficulty making payments, contact Brendan O’Brien at the ISSO.

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    Planning Your Living Expenses

    Undergraduates

    Initial expenses

    New students have settling-in expenses such as cold-weather clothing, temporary housing upon arrival, taxi and bus fares, and some room furnishings. These items may amount to $1,400-$1,700 for a single student living on campus.

    A student living off campus may have total initial expenses as high as $3,000, since landlords require immediate payment of the first and last month's rent, plus a deposit equal to one month's rent.


    Living expenses

    Depending on your life-style, living expenses range between $1,850-$2,050 per month. Out of this money the following must be paid: housing (and sometimes utilities), food, telephone, television, laundry, entertainment, bus transportation, clothing, renter's insurance, health insurance and other miscellaneous or emergency items. Actual expenses vary widely, owing to individual life-style.


    First Year Expense Calculator

    • One year's tuition: $__________
      amount varies depending on college
    • Settling-in expenses: $__________
      $1,400-$1,700 for single students living on campus
      $3,000 for single students living off campus
    • Living expenses (nine months): $__________
      $18,200-$21,200 for single students
    • Books and supplies: $740.00
    • Health insurance (estimated for '09-'10*): $ 1,650.00
      *The Student Health Insurance Plan premium for 2009-10 will be established in the next few months. New students in Jan. '10 should inquire about prorated insurance fees. Click here for coverage dates.

    Total estimate for first year: $__________

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    Graduate and Professional Students

    Initial Expenses

    New students have settling-in expenses such as cold-weather clothing, temporary housing upon arrival, taxi and bus fares, and some room furnishings. These expenses may amount to approximately $1,400 for a single student or $3,100 for families living on campus.

    A student living off campus may have total initial expenses as high as $3,100. This figure covers the $1,400-$1,700 of settling-in expenses plus three months' rent, since landlords require immediate payment of the first and last month's rent, plus a deposit equal to one month's rent.

    Families living off campus will need to bring at least $3,300 with them for settling-in expenses to cover initial housing payments and other possible initial costs, such as, the purchase of furniture, kitchen utensils, bedding, and other household items, plus installation charges for telephone and television service. Winter clothing expenses vary but can be considerable for a family.


    Living Expenses

    Depending on your life-style, living expenses range between $1,900-$2,250 per month. Out of this money the following must be paid: housing (and sometimes utilities), food, telephone, television, laundry, entertainment, bus transportation, clothing, renter's insurance, health insurance, and other miscellaneous or emergency items. Actual expenses vary widely, owing to individual life-style and cost of housing. For 2009-2010, books and supplies are estimated to cost around $700. Health insurance costs are not currently known, but are estimated to be around $1,650 for individual students.

    Before deciding to bring dependents, carefully consider the cost of living in the U.S. A married couple without children needs at least $2,650 a month. Families with children should add $300/month for each child. Besides having enough funds to meet basic living costs such as housing and food, a spouse and children must also have health insurance. Health insurance can be very expensive but is absolutely a necessity. Without it, emergency medical care can cost thousands of dollars. It should also be noted that immigration regulations REQUIRE J-2 dependents to carry insurance that meets certain standard requirements.


    First Year Expense Calculator

    • One year's tuition: $__________
      amount varies depending on program
    • Settling-in expenses: $__________
      $1,400 for single students living on campus
      $3,100 for single students living off campus
      $3,100 for families living on campus
      $3,100 for families living off campus
    • Living expenses (twelve months): $__________
      $22,500 - 25,500 for a student
      $7,200 for a spouse
      $3,600 for each child
    • Health insurance (estimated for '09-'10*): $__________
      $1,650 for a student
      $4,320 for a spouse
      $2,527 for all children

      *The Student Health Insurance Plan premium for 2009-10 will be established in the next few months. New students in Jan. '10 should inquire about prorated insurance fees. Click here for coverage dates.
    • Books and supplies: $700.00

    Total estimate for first year: $__________

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    Student Employment

    Employment of foreign students is closely regulated by United States immigration laws. Students with J-1 exchange visitor status may work only with the written permission of their program sponsor. Students with F-1 status may seek employment on campus. See the ISSO for more details. Students should not plan on employment to significantly supplement their income while in the U.S.

    Information about on-campus employment opportunities can be found online at http://studentjobs.seo.cornell.edu/sjp/about.htm.

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