International Students
International Student Guide to studying in the USA
Required Documents
All applicants for admission who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents (green card holders), are required to show proof of financial support as a condition of being issued an official letter of acceptance and I-20 form. International students may not file a FAFSA as they are not eligible for any federal student aid.
Students need to show support for the total cost of attendance less any international scholarship awarded or loan secured. The cost for the 2021-2022 academic year is $70,656 USD for both first-year students and transfer students (please see Estimated Costs for more details regarding costs). Applicants who cannot show the required amount of support will be disqualified. Clarkson's cost of attendance typically increases 5% each year.
There are two ways to show proof of financial support:
- Complete and return the Certificate of Finance Form. On this form you will need to show specific amounts of support and the sources of the support. You will also need to include the signatures of any sponsors or your parents, in addition to a signature from a bank official.
- Provide a certified letter from your sponsor indicating the amount of support available for each year along with a supporting letter from a bank official. No exceptions can be made on the above requirements.
Scholarships
All accepted international students will be considered for a partial International Scholarship at Clarkson; no separate application is required. These scholarships range from $2,000 to $20,000 per academic year.
The amount awarded is based on the student's academic record. For first-year students this includes: secondary school GPA, rigor of the curriculum, SAT and TOEFL scores, and letters of recommendation. For transfer students, university GPA, rigor of curriculum, TOEFL score, and letters of recommendation are considered.
Students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid in order to renew the international scholarship. International scholarships do not increase after the first year.
Clarkson does not offer need-based financial assistance to international students. International students may apply for admission to the Honors Program. There is a separate application, and an on-campus or telephone interview is also required. Students who are accepted into the Honors Program receive a $2,000 per year scholarship. Admission to this program is very competitive.
Outside Resources
Information on outside scholarships and loans for international students are available at:
Employment
On-Campus Jobs
There are limited work-study positions available for international students on campus. We cannot guarantee that you will be able to secure on-campus employment. Students with jobs typically work about 8-10 hours per week, and the pay is minimum wage (currently $9.70 per hour). Under the terms of the F-1 student visa, international students cannot work more than 20 hours per week on campus.
Off-campus Jobs
Off-campus employment must be authorized under the regulations of the F-1 visa. The International Students & Scholars Office will advise students on the correct employment authorization for those who wish to pursue employment opportunities.