Permanent Residents At Cornell: International Student Status?

Cornell University considers students who are not U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, or those who do not have refugee/asylee status as international students. Students with approved permanent resident status (green card) are not considered international students. Those with pending permanent resident status are considered international students until their status changes to approved. Undocumented students with or without DACA status are considered domestic students for admissions and financial aid.

International students' financial aid

Cornell University considers students who are not U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, or those who do not have refugee/asylee status as international students. U.S. undocumented residents are considered domestic students for financial aid purposes. Applicants with dual U.S. citizenship are not considered international students for financial aid.

International Students Financial Aid:

Cornell University provides need-based financial aid to admitted international students who have applied for financial aid and demonstrated financial need. The university does not offer merit, athletic, or talent-based aid to students. The admissions decisions for international applicants are need-aware, meaning applications are evaluated with consideration of the student's or parents' ability to pay educational costs. Students who are admitted and have applied for financial aid will receive a financial aid package that meets 100% of their demonstrated financial need.

International applicants who do not apply for financial aid when they apply for admission will not be eligible to apply for financial aid as an undergraduate at Cornell. All financial aid applicants must reapply for financial aid each year. International students who have not received financial aid from Cornell are not eligible for the initiative. However, if they have received a need-based financial aid offer from another Ivy League institution, Stanford, Duke, or MIT, Cornell will strive to calculate the same eligibility.

International students seeking Cornell grant or scholarship aid must complete the CSS Profile when they apply for admission. All admitted first-year and transfer undergraduates will receive an estimate of their expected family contribution, cost of attendance, and the financial aid they may be eligible for in the upcoming academic year.

International students' admissions

At Cornell University, international students are those who do not hold US citizenship or approved permanent resident status (green card). Students with pending permanent resident status are considered international students. If their status changes to approved during the application process, they must inform the university, and their status will be updated. Undocumented students with or without DACA status are considered domestic students for admissions and financial aid.

Cornell University provides need-based financial aid to admitted international students who have applied for financial aid and demonstrated financial need. The university does not offer merit, athletic, or talent-based aid to students. Admissions decisions for international applicants are need-aware, meaning that applications from international students will be evaluated for admission with consideration of the ability of students or parents to pay educational costs.

International applicants who are admitted and did not apply for financial aid when they applied for admission will not be eligible to apply for financial aid as an undergraduate at Cornell. To apply for the university’s need-based financial aid program, applicants must complete and submit the CSS Profile by the deadline.

All Cornell students must have a strong command of the English language to succeed in their academic studies. English proficiency can be demonstrated by one of the following methods:

• Being a U.S. Citizen/Permanent Resident
• Submitting an English proficiency exam score from the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test. Score requirements for admissions consideration to be most competitive in the review process include a minimum of 100 on the TOEFL internet-based exam, a minimum of 7.5 on the IELTS, or a minimum of 130 on the Duolingo English Test.

Cornell University files petitions for lawful permanent residency ("green cards") for international faculty and staff working in permanent academic positions. The university can only file a permanent residency petition if the department supports it. International Services communicates the results of the discussion to the unit or department. It is recommended that applicants be in H-1B visa status before the university files a permanent residency petition on their behalf.

Permanent residency petitions

Cornell University files petitions for lawful permanent residency or "green cards" for international academic staff holding permanent academic positions. Postdoctoral fellows or those with "visiting" or "temporary" in their job titles are not considered permanent employees and do not qualify for Cornell sponsorship.

Cornell University does not allow outside attorneys to represent the institution in employment-based permanent residency cases except under very limited circumstances. In such circumstances, there is a review and approval process for permission.

Interested applicants must schedule an appointment to discuss eligibility and filing procedures before International Services will process a permanent residency petition. The staff at Cornell work with hiring units and eligible applicants to determine the best route to lawful permanent residency and advise applicants through the process.

Cornell's International Services recommend that applicants be in H-1B visa status before they file a permanent residency petition on their behalf. It is also wise to start the petition process early, as one can only remain in H-1B status for up to six years.

Most Cornell permanent residency petitions utilize the EB-1B priority worker category for outstanding professors or researchers. Cornell can also support the EB02 National Interest Waiver category for scholars whose work is of substantial merit and national importance. In some cases, Cornell may recommend permanent residency by EB-2 labor certification (PERM).

International students' English proficiency

At Cornell University, students who are not US citizens, US permanent residents, or those who do not have refugee/asylee status are considered international students. US undocumented residents are considered domestic students for financial aid purposes.

Cornell requires all students, including international students, to have a strong command of the English language to succeed in their academic pursuits. International students can demonstrate English proficiency by submitting scores from English proficiency exams like TOEFL, IELTS, or the Duolingo English Test. While applying, students can submit unofficial test scores, but upon admission, they must submit official scores sent by the testing agency.

Cornell University has set minimum scores for admissions consideration to be most competitive in their review process. For the TOEFL internet-based exam, a minimum score of 100 is required, while a minimum score of 7.5 is required for the IELTS exam. For the Duolingo English Test, a minimum score of 130 is expected.

International students enrolling in on-campus courses at Cornell University must obtain an F-1 student visa to attend credit-bearing educational programs in the United States. The process of obtaining the F-1 visa can be lengthy, so students are advised to initiate their application as soon as they receive their admission confirmation.

International students' citizenship status

At Cornell University, international students are defined as those who are not US citizens, do not have approved permanent resident status (green card), or do not have refugee/asylee status. US undocumented residents are considered domestic students for financial aid purposes. Applicants with dual US citizenship are not considered international students. International students must demonstrate English proficiency by submitting an English proficiency exam score from the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test.

Cornell University provides need-based financial aid to admitted international students who have applied for financial aid and demonstrated financial need. However, it does not offer merit, athletic, or talent-based aid to international students. International students who have received financial aid offers from other Ivy League institutions, Stanford, Duke, or MIT will have their eligibility evaluated based on parent contribution, student contribution, and initial loan offers.

In terms of immigration status, international students at Cornell are typically on an F-1 student visa, which requires them to maintain their non-immigrant status and comply with the rules and responsibilities associated with their visa. They must also notify the International Student Affairs (ISA) office of any changes in their program or status. For those interested in applying for permanent residence in the US, Cornell's International Services office provides support and guidance on eligibility and filing procedures. The process can be complicated and lengthy, with backlogs for citizens of certain countries.

Overall, Cornell University has specific definitions and requirements for international students' citizenship status, offering financial aid and support with immigration processes to ensure a smooth transition for its international student population.

Frequently asked questions