Lana Oconnell
Cornell University defines an international student as someone who does not hold US citizenship or approved permanent resident status (green card). Students with pending permanent resident status are also considered international students. Applicants who have dual US citizenship are not considered international students for financial aid purposes. Undocumented students with or without DACA status are considered domestic students for admissions and financial aid.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cornell's definition of an international student | Those who do not hold US citizenship or approved permanent resident status (green card) |
| Students considered domestic | Undocumented and DACA students, US citizens living abroad |
| Students considered international | Those with pending permanent resident status |
| Financial aid for international students | Need-based financial aid is provided to admitted international students who have applied for financial aid and demonstrated financial need |
| Financial aid for domestic students | Cornell meets the full demonstrated financial need for all admitted students who are US citizens and eligible non-citizens |
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What You'll Learn
Cornell's definition of an international student
Cornell University defines an international student as someone who does not hold US citizenship or approved permanent resident status (green card). Students with pending permanent resident status are also considered international students. Applicants who have dual US citizenship are not considered international students for financial aid purposes. Undocumented students with or without DACA status are considered domestic students for admissions and financial aid.
Cornells offers need-based financial aid to 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. Cornell is need-aware for international students, meaning that applications will be evaluated 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.
International students at Cornell must also demonstrate English language proficiency. They are welcome to submit unofficial test scores when they apply, but they will be asked to submit official test scores sent from the testing agency if they are admitted and choose to enrol. International students can also work on campus, with F-1 students not requiring special authorization to do so.
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Financial aid for international students
At Cornell, students who do not hold US citizenship or approved permanent resident status (green card) are considered international students. Undocumented and DACA students are considered domestic students, as are US citizens living abroad.
Cornell University provides need-based financial aid to admitted international students who have applied for financial aid and demonstrated financial need. All financial aid is need-based, and Cornell does not offer merit, athletic, or talent-based scholarships. Cornell meets 100% of admitted international undergraduates' demonstrated financial need with annual aid offers that include Cornell grants, an annual work-study award, and reasonable student loans depending on total family income.
International applicants who do not apply for financial aid when they apply for admission will not be eligible to apply for financial aid at any point during their undergraduate course at Cornell. Therefore, applicants who anticipate the need for financial assistance must apply for aid when they apply for admission. To apply for the university's need-based financial aid program, applicants must complete and submit the CSS Profile by the deadline. After receiving the CSS Profile application, Cornell may request additional forms or documentation.
If you received a need-based financial aid offer from another Ivy League institution, Stanford, Duke, or MIT, Cornell will strive to calculate the same eligibility based on the information provided. International students who have not received financial aid from Cornell are not eligible for this initiative.
Scholarships:
Cornell offers the Levitan Family Scholarships, which provide a cohort of international students with full scholarships and access to mentorship and financial assistance for academic and professional experience opportunities. Additionally, undergraduate applicants eligible for the Tata Scholarship will be considered if they complete the admission application and apply for financial aid.
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Admissions for international students
Cornell University defines an international student as someone who does not hold US citizenship or approved permanent resident status (green card). Students with pending permanent resident status are also considered international students. Applicants who have dual US citizenship are not considered international students for financial aid purposes. Undocumented students with or without DACA status are considered domestic students for admissions and financial aid.
Cornell is a major research university in Ithaca, New York, with over 16,000 undergraduate students. It is a member of the Ivy League and offers educational tracks and opportunities, like the hospitality school and agricultural programs, that no other top schools do.
Cornell is test-optional for the SAT and ACT through the fall of 2025, with the possibility of extending the policy further. Three of the undergraduate colleges don't use the SAT or ACT scores at all: Agriculture and Life Sciences; Architecture, Art, and Planning; and the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business (the school of Hotel Administration and the school of Applied Economics and Management). While five of the other Cornell colleges do use the tests if they are submitted. If the college you are going to apply to would consider the SAT or ACT, it is highly recommended to submit a strong score as an international applicant. Doing so underlines your academic readiness and may even exempt you from the English Proficiency Testing requirement.
Cornell is not need-blind for international students. This means that applications from international students will be evaluated for admission with consideration of the ability of students or parents to pay educational costs. Applicants who anticipate the need for financial assistance at any point during their undergraduate course of study at Cornell must apply for aid when they apply for admission. 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.
International students who have been admitted and have applied for financial aid, demonstrating financial need, will receive a financial aid package that meets 100% of their demonstrated financial need. Cornell meets the full demonstrated financial need for all admitted students who are US citizens and eligible non-citizens. Eligible non-citizens include permanent residents, refugees and asylees, and undocumented students.
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English proficiency requirements
Cornell University requires all its students to have a strong command of the English language to be successful in their university studies. International students at Cornell can demonstrate their English proficiency in several ways. One way is to submit English proficiency exam scores from the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test. The minimum score requirements for admissions consideration 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.
Students can also submit unofficial test scores when applying to Cornell, but they will be asked to submit official test scores sent from the testing agency if they are admitted and choose to enroll. Additionally, students who have studied and/or worked full-time for at least two consecutive years within the last ten years in a country where English is an official and widely spoken language can note this experience on their transcript, resume, or CV.
For graduate students, there are additional English proficiency requirements. Doctoral and research master's degree students who are appointed as teaching assistants must demonstrate a higher level of English proficiency. They can do this by submitting IELTS Academic or TOEFL iBT scores or providing proof of an exemption. Some graduate fields and programs may require higher IELTS Academic or TOEFL iBT scores or request an interview before offering admission.
Furthermore, research degree applicants must demonstrate language proficiency by achieving scores in either Tier A or Tier B. Tier A applicants are automatically approved to serve as teaching assistants, while Tier B applicants must consult with their department to arrange for an English Language Assessment with Cornell's International TA Program to determine their need for additional language support.
Overall, Cornell University sets high standards for English proficiency to ensure that all students, including international students, have the necessary language skills to succeed in their academic pursuits.
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Pending permanent resident status
At Cornell, students who do not hold US citizenship or approved permanent resident status (green card) are considered international students. This means that if your permanent resident status is pending, you will be considered an international student. If your status changes to approved during the application process, you must inform Cornell, and they will update your status.
Cornell's admissions process does not consider citizenship status. Instead, it reads applications based on the school you currently attend and where that school is located. If you are a full-time student at another institution, you must apply as a transfer student.
If you are an international student who has received a need-based financial aid offer from another Ivy League institution, Stanford, Duke, or MIT, Cornell will strive to calculate the same eligibility. However, if you have not received financial aid from Cornell, you will not be eligible for financial aid at Cornell.
If you are granted permanent residency later in the academic year, you will be considered for the William D. Ford Loan and Federal Pell Grant only. To be considered for Cornell and federal aid funding for the academic year, you must present your original documentation of permanent residency before the start of the fall semester. If your documentation comes in after the start of the fall semester but before the spring semester, you will be reviewed for eligibility for aid for the spring semester. If your documentation comes in after the start of the spring semester, you will be considered for the William D. Ford Loan and Federal Pell Grant only.
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Frequently asked questions
Cornell defines an international student as someone who does not hold US citizenship or approved permanent resident status (green card). Students with pending permanent resident status are also considered international students.
No, permanent residents are not considered international students at Cornell.
Undocumented students with or without DACA status are considered domestic students for admissions and financial aid.
