Admitted International Student Information
Passports And Visas
Entry Into The U.S.
Generally, international students must obtain a passport from their government and a visa from a United States Consulate or Embassy to be eligible to enter the U.S. You should receive your Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20) along with your acceptance letter. To request your student visa (F-1), take your passport, the Certificate of Eligibility and proof of financial resources to the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Note: You will also need these documents (passport, I-20, financial documents) at the U.S. port of entry. Make sure they are easily available to you as you enter the U.S. Do not leave them in your luggage or in your home country.
You are strongly encouraged to apply for your U.S. student visa as soon as possible after you have received your Certificate of Eligibility from SUNY Cobleskill. It may take significant time for visa processing. Please allow sufficient time to plan for your travel to the U.S. You should plan to obtain your visa and arrive in time to attend the International Student Orientation program in mid-August.
Please note that you are not permitted to enter the U.S. more than 30 days before the start date in Item 5 of your I-20 form.
Reminder: Please keep your I-94 card (which you will receive when you enter the U.S.) in your passport. This is an important document and is expensive and time-consuming to replace.
Student Visa Status
The regulations which govern F-1 immigration status are on page 2 of the original Form I-20. Of special concern are:
If you have been issued Certificates of Eligibility (Form I-20) by more than one school, be sure to use the I-20 issued by the school you plan to attend to obtain your student visa. You must also present the I-20 issued by the school you plan to attend to the border official at the port of entry to the U.S.
You must pursue a full course of study, 12 credit hours for each semester (not including summer).
An enrolled F-1 student may accept on-campus employment for up to 20 hours a week during the academic year and full-time during vacation periods.
Immediate family members (spouse and children under 21 years old) of an F-1 student may obtain an F-2 dependent's visa, but regulations prohibit the acceptance of any form of employment.
If you have attended another U.S. educational institution immediately before attending SUNY Cobleskill, you are required to complete an F-1 transfer. Please notify the International Student Advisor at your current school that you plan to transfer to SUNY Cobleskill and ask the International Student Advisor to complete the "Transfer Eligibility Form" mailed to you by the SUNY Cobleskill Office of Admissions. Once the Office of Admissions has evaluated the information provided on the transfer form, you will receive additional instructions. Note: If you are departing the U.S. before coming to SUNY Cobleskill and if your current F-1 visa will expire before you plan to return to the U.S., you will need to obtain a new F-1 visa to use with the SUNY Cobleskill I-20 form.
Other Temporary Visa Statuses
If you are in some other temporary visa category (other than F-1), you are bound by the regulations of your particular status and will not be sent any visa eligibility form unless you request one as preliminary to a change of immigration status.
Climate
Weather in New York State is extremely variable with four distinct seasons. The winter is cold and snowy; summer is sunny and warm, with mild to cool weather in spring and fall. Normal temperatures in winter range from 10 degrees F to 35 degrees F (-12 C to 2 C); normal temperatures in summer range from 70 F to 85 F (21 C to 28 C).
Travel To Cobleskill, New York
If you are coming to the United States for the first time, you will probably arrive by air. The closest international airport is Kennedy International Airport in New York City. The Albany International Airport serves Cobleskill. You should plan to make connecting flights to Albany. Taxis and rental cars are available at the airport. SUNY Cobleskill is approximately one hour from the airport.
Orientation
SUNY Cobleskill offers an International Student Orientation program prior to each semester. There is also a New Student Orientation program, which takes place during the first arrival days.
Required Health Form
All new international students are required to complete a Health and Immunization form, which is available online prior to arrival at Cobleskill. A paper copy of this form was sent to you with your acceptance letter.
Recommended Arrival Dates: Fall
New international students are encouraged to arrive in Cobleskill before international student orientation. Should you need to arrive at an earlier date, please send email to admissions@cobleskill.edu and they will provide information on available off-campus local accommodations.
Financial Arrangements
Deposit
To indicate your sincere interest in attending SUNY Cobleskill, submit the required pre-admission and housing deposits by May 1 or the date in your letter of acceptance. Deposits may be made with an international money order or by credit card using DISCOVER, MASTERCARD or VISA. To pay by phone, call (518) 255-5539. The pre-admissions deposit is a pre-payment of tuition. The housing deposit serves as your housing damage deposit for the academic year.
Basic Expenses
You will need approximately $14,000 per semester if you are enrolling in a bachelor's degree program. You will need approximately $12,000 for initial expenses if you are pursuing an associate degree program.
To have money immediately available, you may arrange with your bank to cable, in U.S. dollars, to a New York bank. This transaction usually takes five or fewer days. You should also use U.S. traveler's checks. Due to the risk of loss or theft, carrying large amounts of cash is not advisable.
Additional Expenses
Costs for items such as books and supplies winter clothing and in country travel are estimated at $2,800 per year.
Health Insurance
Due to the high cost of health care in the United States, the State University of New York requires all international students and their families to have adequate health insurance. The University has arranged for good health insurance for international students and families at a current yearly cost of approximately $800. Students with health insurance may be exempt from this requirement.
At a minimum, your existing insurance must cover pre-existing conditions, maternity, repatriation and medical evacuation, as well as carry a $0 deductible per illness and a $100,000 maximum reimbursement rate per illness. If you think you are eligible for a waiver, present a copy of your policy in English and proof of current coverage with dates to the Student Accounts Office upon arrival. Note: any student who requests a waiver MUST purchase the Class 8: MEDEX Medical Evacuation/Repatriation Policy.
Payment Of Tuition And On-Campus Housing Costs
Tuition and on-campus housing costs for the fall semester should be paid in full by August 1.
For More Information
Please feel free to contact Dr. Susan Jagendorf, the Director of International Programs at jagends@cobleskill.edu with any questions you may have.
