212.772.4864 ▪ fax 212.650.3147 ▪ intlss@hunter.cuny.edu
695 Park Avenue, Room 1109 East, New York, New York 10065

Click any of the links below to get quick answers to your questions.  We strongly recommend our international students to contact the International Student Office if they have specific questions about some of the benefits that are part of the F-1/J-1 visa categories.  You can contact us by phone at (212) 772-4864 or by email at:  intlss@hunter.cuny.edu.

General Requirements of an Exchange Visitor

Any program in which an exchange visitor will participate in must be suitable to the exchange visitor's education, experience and needs. Prospective Exchange Visitors must have earned at least a bachelor's degree to participate in the Professor, Research Scholar or Short-term Scholar categories. In addition, the exchange visitor must possess sufficient proficiency in the English Language. Exchange visitors are required to purchase and maintain adequate health insurance for themselves and any accompanying family members. At a minimum, insurance coverage shall include: (1) medical benefits of at least U.S. $50,000 per person per accident or illness; (2) repatriation of remains in the amount of U.S. $7,500; and (3) expenses associated with medical evacuation in the amount of U.S.$10,000. A policy secured to fulfill the insurance requirements shall not have a deductible that exceeds U.S.$500 per accident or illness, and must meet other standards specified in the Exchange Visitor Program regulations, 22 CFR part 62.14. Finally, they must have proof of enough financial support for the duration of their stay.

Financial Aid and Tuition Rates for International Students

Am I eligible to apply for federal or state financial aid as an international student?

No, any type of federal financial aid, along with other sources of state financial assistance, is reserved for citizens and permanent residents. International students are not eligible to apply.

Are there any other sources of financial assistance an F-1 or J-1 student might be eligible for?

There are a very limited number of grants and scholarships available for F-1 and J-1 students, especially for undergraduate studies. However, we encourage you to log onto the International Students website, stop by the International Student Office and review the International Student Scholarship Guide, or speak with one of our advisers (Fall 2010 Hours: Mon. 10:00 AM-12:00  PM, Wed. 9:00 AM-10 AM; Thurs. 9:00 AM-12:00 PM). You should review the scholarships advertised in the weekly in The Hunter Gatherer.

Should I fill out a FASFA (Free Application for Federal Financial Aid)?

Since international students cannot receive federal or state financial aid, it is best  to fill out a paper FASFA form. Yet, you may wish to fill out a paper FASFA (available in any NY public library) in order to determine your estimated family financial contribution; some private funding resources would like to know your estimated family contribution in order to determine your financial need and aid eligibility. In this case fill out a FASFA leaving your social security number blank and marking “c. No, I am not a citizen or eligible non-citizen.” The application will be rejected and returned to you, but will include your estimated family contribution, which could be used by private scholarship funds to determine your financial aid eligibility.

On what grounds can I get financial assistance?

Generally, scholarships and grants for international students are not based on financial need solely. Ethnic background, academic merit, and other significant achievements are all common factors contributing to financial aid eligibility. Please consult the requirements for the specific scholarship you are interested in to see if you are qualified.

Am I eligible for in-state tuition rates?

Non-resident tuition for state colleges is higher than in-state tuition. In New York, students who are not citizens or permanent residents are eligible for in-state tuition if they meet the following requirements;

• Have lived in New York Sate more than one year prior to the first day of school and are “lawfully present in the US.” To fulfill this requirement you need to have one of the authorized visas: A-1, A-2, A-3, E-1, E-2, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, G-5, H-1, H-4, I, K, L, N, R, S, T, U, or V (please note that, F-1 and J-1 are not included). Alternatively, individuals who have been granted the status of refugee or parolee are also considered lawfully present in the US.
• Have attended for at least two years and graduated from an approved New York State high school and applied for CUNY within five years of receiving a high school diploma.

I meet these requirements and would like to be considered for in-state tuition rate. How do I do it?
You need to fill out an application and provide supplementary documentation which proves that you have lived in New York State more than a year prior to the first day of school (e.g. a valid NY driver’s license, lease agreement, etc.). Incoming freshmen should approach the Admissions Office and current students who changed their status to one of the above since they first matriculated should approach the Office of the Registrar to obtain the application form and the complete list of required documents.

Diversity Visa 2013

What is the Diversity Visa?
Every year, the U.S. Department of State runs the Diversity Visa Program, which grants 50,000 visas to people all around the world, as well as those currently residing in the United States. The recipients are chosen from a pool of eligible applicants through a lottery system. All 50,000 winners are issued a U.S. Green Card (permanent residency) authorizing them and their families to live and work in the United States.

Does applying for the DV negatively affect my current status?
No, in the event you are not granted a green card, participating in the Visa Program will not change your current status. However, undocumented students, who live in the US without legal authorization, should not apply.

Where can I obtain an application?
The application should be filled out and submitted electronically at http://www.dvlottery.state.gov/.

When does the registration period take place?
The DV-2013 usually begins on the first week of October.  For more information, please visit the following website, www.dvlottery.state.gov. 

What are the requirements for applying?
In order to qualify, your native country must be on the list of eligible countries. The list of countries is provided on www.dvlottery.state.gov. The Department of State requires that every applicant must have at least a high school education or its equivalent or, within the past five years, have two years of work experience in an occupation requiring at least two years training or experience.

Who is not eligible to apply?
For DV-2013, check the following website, www.dvlottery.state.gov for the list of eligible countries. 

What is the procedure of applying?
An application is considered complete once it is filled out and submitted electronically along with pictures of the applicant and his/her spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age.

Who can I include in my application?
An applicant may list his/her spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age. Also, a husband and wife may each submit one application if each meets the eligibility requirements. If either were selected, the other spouse would be entitled to derivative status automatically.

Do applications I have submitted for DV in previous years affect my current eligibility somehow?
No, previously submitted application will not interfere with your current application.

What is the cost of applying?
There is no fee for applying. We encourage you to avoid private companies which offer to fill out your application for additional fees.

Where can I obtain additional information about the DV?
If the above website does not address your concerns, feel free to contact the Office of International Students at Hunter College or www.dvlottery.state.gov.