HOUSING

On-campus housing
We regret that there is a general shortage of on-campus housing at Cornell, and cannot guarantee accommodation to all applying exchange students.  In particular, demand for on-campus rooms for the fall semester is very high.  If you plan on studying at Cornell for a single semester and want to live on campus, we strongly recommend that you arrive in the spring (January) semester.  There are many benefits to studying at Cornell in spring, including an exciting orientation program comprised of mostly exchange and transfer students; the Chili Cook-Off in Downtown Ithaca; Spring Break; and Slope Day!

After student applications have been processed (4-6 weeks after the exchange application deadline), students are emailed an "applicant number."  Students may submit their housing application online only AFTER they receive their applicant number.  Applying before the housing deadline is critical, but applying early doesn't affect your chances of getting a room since housing assignments are made after the deadline. 

Singles, doubles, triples, and quads are available in most residence halls.  Each hall has shared bathrooms, laundry facilities, kitchenettes, and common areas, plus Internet access, basic campus phone service, and optional cable television (with an additional charge).  Whether you arrive in fall or spring, we cannot guarantee you will be assigned your requested room type or building preference.  For information about housing options for exchange students, visit the "Transfer Housing" page at:  http://www.campuslife.cornell.edu/campuslife/housing/transfer-housing.cfm. 

Full-year rates for housing can be found at www.campuslife.cornell.edu/campuslife/housing/2011-12-undergraduate-housing-rates.cfm.  All housing contracts are issued for the full academic year; but if you are here for the fall semester only, your contract will be cancelled at the end of your stay.  Housing fees are prorated for single semester students.

Off-campus housing
Unfortunately, we cannot secure off-campus housing for exchange students. If you choose not to live on campus, you will be responsible for securing your own housing. While we cannot find housing for you, we are happy to help advise you on location, safety or general questions about off-campus housing.  In addition, we suggest that students read about off-campus housing services at http://dos.cornell.edu/ocho/students/index.cfm.

MEAL PLANS

You'll find plenty of variety and convenience with over 30 dining locations across campus.  However, you don't have to be on a meal plan to dine on campus.

Traditional Meal Plans
As a member of a Cornell Dining meal plan or debit plan, you can use your Cornell ID card instead of money in Cornell Dining facilities, to obtain food for less than the cash price.  There are also unlimited servings in each of the 10 All-You-Care-to-Eat Facilities.  For Meal Plan options, visit: www.campuslife.cornell.edu/campuslife/dining/options.cfm.

House Meal Plans (West Campus House System)
House Meal Plans are required for residents of Alice Cook House, Carl Becker House, Hans Bethe House, William Keeton House, and Flora Rose House. In the House System, upper-level students are not only part of an actively engaged living and learning community, under faculty leadership, but also enjoy the comforts of having their own dining room right where they live. Students living in the House System are required to enroll in one of the Cornell Dining meal plans designated specifically for the House System buildings. You will be automatically enrolled in the House Traditional Plan if you have signed a housing contract but you have not selected a House Meal Plan. 

House Meal Plans can increase your budget dramatically, so be sure to look at the costs prior to applying for any of the West Campus houses.  For more information about meal plan options:  www.campuslife.cornell.edu/campuslife/dining/mealplanoverview.cfm

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

You will be responsible for any expenses (excluding Cornell tuition) that are incurred during your stay at Cornell. 

Declaration of Finances Form

Evidence of financial support, $8,775 for one semester or $17,400 for a full year (2011-12 rates), must be provided at time of application.  This needs to be an original document, for example an original bank statement received in the mail, a letter signed by an official of a financial institution attesting to the availability of funds at these levels, etc.

On-campus costs

All exchange students are responsible for the Cornell Student Activity Fee (approximately $108/semester), SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) fee (approximately $200), health insurance, meals, books, housing, printing fees, physical education (PE) course fees (if you choose to take a PE course), travel costs, and all personal expenses.  You will be billed for university-related expenses online through Cornell's Office of the Bursar.  Throughout the semester, you will receive a monthly bursar bill by email for any other expenses you may incur.   You are responsible for all fees billed by the Bursar.

Banking

There are several banks close to or on the Cornell campus.  The easiest way to handle money is to open an account in Ithaca and have money transferred or directly deposited.  It is also useful to arrive with U.S. currency for buses, phone calls, taxis, etc.  There are three banks on campus: CFCU (607) 255-5111; M&T Bank (607) 257-5121; and Tompkins Trust Company (607) 257-5121. More information can be found at www.bursar.cornell.edu/Local_Banking_Services.cfm.