Canadian Border Commuter Students
Canadian students who maintain their residence in Canada and travel to the U.S. for required residencies, orientations or meetings with faculty members are considered border commuter students. Canadian border commuter students are not required to apply for or hold an F-1 student visa in order to enter the U.S., but are required to have a valid passport, and an I-20 issued for each new term. Border commuter students are not allowed to establish a residence in the U.S.
Border commuter students are required to demonstrate that they have the financial resources to fund the current term tuition. They must apply for an I-20 and also submit their proof of financial ability in addition to the application for admission. Canadian border commuter students are not eligible for financial aid, college-sponsored scholarships or employment while studying with Empire State College. Border commuter students are always considered nonresidents for tuition purposes.
Please visit www.esc.edu/ISS for more detailed information on Canadian border commuter student admissions requirements, including demonstration of financial resources and evaluation of non-U.S. credentials. All documentation should be mailed to Admissions, 2 Union Ave., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866-4390, Attention: International Student Liaison, U.S.A.
Once accepted, the international student liaison (ISL) will create the student's initial record in the federal Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), generating the student's I-20, and will keep all personal and academic information current. Students are issued a new I-20 each term and they also must pay a SEVIS fee once the I-20 is issued. They must present the current term I-20, proof of payment of SEVIS fee and their passport when they cross the border into the U.S. to attend a residency or an orientation.
For more information about studying with Empire State College as a border commuter student or with visa questions, please visit our Web site www.esc.edu/ISS or contact Melanie Kaiser, international student liaison, at 518 587-2100 ext. 2447, or e-mail Melanie.Kaiser@esc.edu.
