CUNY International Students: A Comprehensive Guide

The City University of New York (CUNY) is a diverse and welcoming institution for international students. With over 8,000 students from more than 100 countries, CUNY is committed to providing a supportive environment for international students as they adjust to new cultural and academic practices. This guide offers essential information and resources for prospective and current international students at CUNY.

CUNY's Commitment to International Students

CUNY values its diversified student population and is committed to helping international students adjust to new cultural and academic practices in a supportive environment. The CUNY Office of International Student and Scholar Services plays a central role in this commitment.

Mission of the Office of International Student and Scholar Services

The CUNY Office of International Student and Scholar Services leads the university community in providing services and programs that facilitate the transition, integration, and retention of international students and scholars. They work with campus administrators and faculty to ensure University compliance with federal regulations and to provide critical support services.

Getting Started: Visas and Immigration Status

For international students seeking to study at CUNY, understanding the visa requirements is crucial.

Required Visa Status

To study or conduct research in the U.S., you will need to obtain either the F-1 Student Visa and Immigration Status or the J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa and Immigration status.

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Obtaining the F-1 or J-1 Visa

Acceptance to a CUNY College: After being accepted to a CUNY College, you will receive the necessary documents from your College’s Designated School Official (DSO).
Document Submission: You will then need to complete and return the required documents to the DSO.
I-20 or DS-2019 Form: After evaluating your documents, the DSO will issue the I-20 or DS 2019 form needed to obtain the F1 or J1 visa, and US immigration status.
Visa Application: Take your I-20 or DS 2019 and the SEVIS I-901 receipt to your visa interview. It is also recommended that you take copies of the Welcome Letter and supporting financial documents, including the.
Dependents: Your dependents may go with you to the U.S. Consulate or join you later. They will need to take their I-20 or DS 2019.

Visa Denial and Reapplication

If you or your dependent's visa is denied, it's important to:

Find out why you or your dependent were denied the F/J visa.
Find out when you can reapply.

Reporting to Your College

You and your dependents should report to your College within 3-4 days of your arrival or by the date listed in the instruction letter that your College’s DSO will send you.

Maintaining Your Immigration Status

One of the most important responsibilities you will have during your CUNY stay is to maintain your immigration status.

Full-Time Enrollment

Tuition and Fees stated are based on the students taking at least 12 credits per semester. This is the minimum number of credits required to be a full-time student necessary for international students to maintain the lawful immigration status.

Health Insurance Requirements for J-1 Students

Federal regulations governing J-1 status require all J-1 students and their dependents to carry health insurance throughout their duration of status in the United States.

Read also: CUNY Admission Guide

Sponsors must require that all exchange visitors have insurance in effect that covers the exchange visitors for sickness or accidents during the period of time that they participate in the sponsor’s exchange visitor program.
In addition, sponsors must require that accompanying spouses and dependents of exchange visitors have insurance for sickness and accidents.
The period of required coverage is the actual duration of the exchange visitor’s participation in the sponsor’s exchange visitor program as recorded in SEVIS in the “Program Begin Date,” and as applicable, the “Program End Date,” “Effective Program End Date,” or “Effective Date of Termination” fields.
Sponsors are not authorized to charge fees to their sponsored exchange visitors for the provision of insurance coverage beyond any demonstrable and justifiable staff time.
Sponsors are not required to, but may, offer supplemental “entry to exit” coverage (i.e., coverage from the time the exchange visitor departs his or her home country until he or she returns).
If the sponsor provides health insurance or arranges for health insurance to be offered to the exchange visitor, via payroll deduction at the host organization, the exchange visitor must voluntarily authorize this action in writing and also be given the opportunity to make other arrangements to obtain insurance.
Accompanying spouses and dependents are required to be covered by insurance in the amounts set forth in paragraph (b) of this section.

Important Note: Keep in mind that the requirements above meet the minimum specifications. J-1 students who willfully fail to maintain J-1 health insurance, misrepresent their insurance coverage, or fail to maintain coverage for their dependents are considered in violation of status. Consequently, the college is required to terminate the student’s J-1 Program in SEVIS [22 CFR 62.14(h)(i)] and [62.78]. Students who lose their status due to non-compliance with health insurance requirements cannot reinstatement their J-1 status [62.45(f) (1)].

Health Insurance Recommendation for F-1 Students

US health insurance is a mandatory requirement for J1 students and their J2 dependents. Since health care in the US is very expensive, it is highly recommended that F1 and F2 students obtain medical insurance as well.

Financial Matters

Navigating financial aspects is a key part of preparing for and managing your studies at CUNY.

Financial Aid Eligibility

International students holding the F/J visa type are not eligible for Federal or NY State financial aid.

Opening a Bank Account

You should see if your home bank has a branch in New York. Otherwise, you can open an account with an American bank.

Read also: CUNY GPA Guide

Social Security Number

No. You will not need a Social Security Number to enroll at CUNY College. The University/College will assign you a student identification number. You will need to use this number in order to register for classes and to obtain a student identification card.

Academic and Support Services

CUNY provides a range of services to support international students in their academic and personal lives.

English Language Proficiency

If English is not your first language, you will have to take one of the following exams. Please note that all colleges accept TOEFL. or an English Speaking country like the U.K. Minimum requirements for all programs: 550 (Paper), 213 (Computer), or 79-80 (Internet). Please Note that IELTS academic exam scores are also accepted. Score for all programs: 6.5.

If you are on a temporary visa and educated in a non-English speaking environment, you must demonstrate proficiency in the English language by submitting test scores from TOEFL or IELTS (Academic Level) or PTE (Academic level). Please request to have your official test scores sent to our processing center, CUNY/UAPC and/or list our University code 2950 when registering for the exams.

Given the recent suspension of activities at testing centers, applicants can now satisfy SLU’s English proficiency exam requirements by taking the Duolingo English Test (DET). Unlike the TOEFL, which has to be taken at a testing center, the DET can be taken at home. Please Note that we also accept IELTS scores. Please note The TOEFL should not be more than 2 years old. The IELTS Academic will be accepted, if available.

Academic Support Services

Your college provides special services, such as writing centers, to help improve your skills. At your college’s writing or language center, you can meet English instructors and tutors who will help you improve your writing skills. They can also provide feedback on papers that you have written. The ability to write well can drastically improve your grades and help you to do well in your professional life.

Career Development

For career information and help with job searches, you can visit your college’s Career Development Office.

Disability Services

Based on nationally regarded best practices, CUNY is deeply committed to ensuring equal access and equal opportunity for students with disabilities through innovative support programs. Each CUNY campus features an Office of Disability Services, managed by a director who oversees the delivery of reasonable accommodation and support services for students with disabilities. They also provide counseling and medical referrals and arrange crucial auxiliary aids and services, including assistive technology services, sign language interpretation, distance learning networks, priority registration, and alternative testing arrangements.

Counseling Services

It is not uncommon for students studying in a foreign country to experience homesickness, cultural adjustment issues, and stress. If you have any of these feelings while studying at CUNY, you may visit your college’s counseling office for help. Services are free and confidential and provided in a safe environment in which students may address personal and other issues that may inhibit them from attaining their academic goals.

Health Services

It is the mission of CUNY’s Student Health Services Division to assist students in receiving quality health care. Each CUNY campus has a health center where you can go for medical referrals, immunizations, and basic first aid. Health services centers can also assist students with questions about health insurance and provide referrals to medical providers in the community. Staff in this office are trained to be sensitive to the cultural diversity of the CUNY population.

Campus Life and Activities

Getting involved in campus life can greatly enhance your experience at CUNY.

Student Life Offices

All CUNY colleges have a student life or student activities office. Participating in student organizations and activities will help you become an integral part of the CUNY campus community, and build a network of friends. Most CUNY colleges have a wide variety of student clubs from which to choose. If you have an interest in writing, broadcasting, or other forms of media, check with your student life office to find out how you may become involved with the student-operated newspapers, magazines, television stations, and/or radio stations.

Athletics

Many CUNY colleges have free athletics facilities where students can exercise or play sports. The City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) consists of ten institutions in the senior college division and five institutions in the community college division. CUNYAC promotes the highest standards of intercollegiate athletic competition at Division II and III levels. The Conference recognizes championships through tournament and league play in more than 11 sports for men and for women (including soccer, basketball, swimming, volleyball, tennis, etc.). Each year over 2,500 student-athletes participate on the athletic teams of the CUNY institutions.

Childcare Programs

CUNY currently operates 19 licensed campus-based childcare programs that provide services to over 2,000 student-parents and 2,200 children of CUNY students. Programs are designed to improve the quality of life for student parents and their families. Educational programs created by the child care centers focus on the children’s cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development.

Leadership Academy

The CUNY Leadership Academy (CLA) is the principal source for leadership education, research, and opportunities at the City University of New York (CUNY). The Academy is where students come together with faculty and other leaders to develop the skills, knowledge, and experience necessary to become global leaders.

J-1 Exchange Visitor Program

The City University of New York is an official J-1 sponsor, which hosts hundreds of international scholars and their dependents each year. Prospective scholars must be invited by one of the college’s academic departments to participate in the Program. Candidates are also required to fall into one of the following J-1 Exchange Visitor Program categories: Professor, Researcher Scholars, or Short-Term Scholar.

J-1 Responsible Officers (ROs) oversee the J-1 visiting scholars programs at the various CUNY colleges to ensure University and participant compliance with federal regulations. The ROs assist the academic departments in hosting the scholar and help the scholar and their dependents obtain and maintain J-1 Visa and Immigration Status.

All Responsible Officers (ROs) and Alternate Responsible Officers (AROs) must comply with the Department of State’s J-1 exchange visitor program incident reporting requirements. As J-1 sponsors, federal regulations mandate that we report any investigations or serious issues affecting our exchange visitor community. It is imperative that these reports are submitted within one business day of awareness.

Additional Resources

The Office of International Students: The Office of International Students provides advice and assistance to students from outside the United States, particularly addressing immigration issues relating to F-1 Student Status and J-1 Exchange Visitor Student category. The office also assists students in understanding American cultural behavior and in interpreting various bureaucratic procedural requirements, including nonresident alien taxation.
Brooklyn College International Student and Scholar Services: International students and scholars have a special place at the college. The office aspires to provide high-quality service and support that will help the international student achieve academic and personal success. From welcoming the student on campus to congratulating the student at the graduation ceremony, our staff members help support the international student experience at Brooklyn College. The Office of International Student and Scholar Services is dedicated to Brooklyn College’s mission of transforming the lives of our international students.
Mayor’s Office for International Affairs: The Mayor’s Office for International Affairs fosters positive relations and creates opportunities for collaboration between the international community and local, state, and federal governments.
Consular Offices: Before you arrive in New York City, please familiarize yourself with where your country’s Consular Office is located.
Citizenship Assistance: Our attorneys and paralegals offer one-on-one consultations to assess participants’ eligibility for legal benefits and assist them in applying when qualified.

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