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 a certificate of eligibility for F-1 / J-1 student status.. International students may not file a FAFSA as they are not eligible for any federal student aid.
The International Center will reach out with the necessary documents to show proof of financial support, which include the following:
- Complete the Certificate of Finance Form. On this form you will need to show specific amounts of support and the sources of the support.
- Copy of your financial documentation
- Copy of your passport
For estimated costs, please view the Student Achievement Services (SAS) website.
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 up to $45,000 annually.
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
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 wage is minimum wage). Under the terms of the F-1 student visa, international students cannot work more than 20 hours per week on campus while school is in session. Please note that international students are not eligible for federal work study positions.
Off-campus Jobs
Off-campus employment must be authorized under the regulations of the F-1 / J-1 student status. The International Center will advise students on the correct employment authorization for those who wish to pursue employment opportunities off campus.