Calling all Cornell (Johnson) Fall 2011 applicants!

The key phrase "does not allow US student loans". US student loans are not part of finance declaration, but you still can apply for funding. Loans without US co-signer if your school finds a bank to offer it. You have to get access to student loans at home/non US, loans from family, savings.

Correct, you can use loans from savings (family, friends, etc - they don't need to be all pooled into one account, they can be in the name of the person who owns the money, provided they write a letter that they will support you) as well as loans from your home country. You cannot use loans from the US, co-signer or not, through the school or not - you just can't. And it gets even better - you need to show you can cover cost of attendance (tuition + plus living expenses) for both years if you're going for the two year program. Last year that was to the tune of 142k or so. Also the assets have to be liquid, something like a 401k is a grey area, so use as a last resort. Your sponsors, however, can also be in the US - there are no restrictions in terms of sponsors and you can have as many sponsors as you like.

I'm confused.. So basically, Johnson offers an international student loan program, but I can't use that loan as a source of funding for my visa application. So if I'm relying on the loan to fund my MBA and can't show 142k in other funds I won't be able to get a visa?

Unfortunately, that is correct and I know that it doesn't make sense at all. I went through the exact same thing last year. You could get multiple sponsors though.

No, that doesn't make any sense! What do you mean when you refer to "sponsors"?

Sponsors are people who can show that they have funds in the bank under their name (the more the better) and write a letter that they will sponsor you - that's how you get your visa.

Cornell does have loans for international students that cover cost of tuition only. The financial aid office worked with Quorum for the first time this year and were able to get better terms than in previous years (they take on some of the risk).

lol I can't believe they make it so complicated.. I understand most programs don't provide loans which is why they may be wary against them.. but they should be making an exception for MBA applications.. oh well.. I guess I'll figure out how to cross that bridge when I get there.. thanks Ariel!!

I know, but I'm sure they have good reasons. If I had to venture a guess, I'd say that they're trying to be cautious in the unlikely event their international student loan program falls through. Someone also told me that it's a Cornell thing, not a Johnson School thing. Hope I was able to help and let me know if you have any other questions. I remember really stressing out about this last year (see my thread about financing and international students), but it somehow came all together in the end. You'll be fine.

Oh so the same rule doesn't apply to other MBA schools?

With the count I have seen on the forums...there arent as many invites that have been sent out...Ive ocunted about 20+ so far....if I am right..it should be a sign for more invites to come...else ...the end of the road...any others with their app still "Under Review" ?

I almost gave up !! guess time to move on...

staind and Ariel:

Being in the international student in the same boat: R2 application, visa and funding hell.

It is almost Catch 22: US loans can't be counted towards funding in visa application. Hence you need to find home funding from family, equity, domestic banks. But some students from low income countries simply don't have access to such lending. They are effectively priced/frozen out. Not everyone is a hedgie, IBer or consultant. Working stiff here.

Once you can secure funds without US loans of $142,000 to receive visa, you don't really then need US loans without cosigner at 9% plus 3 % arrangement fees. That is almost rip off. I am surprised that this applies to Canucks as you are North Amercians, thought it would be easier for you folks with special arrangement.

Among the schools I apply for, Cornell stands out in making it difficult for a international student to arrange funding and visa. This is a turn off. I ran the numbers on a spreadsheet and can't currently secure funds of $142,000 without US loans/scholarships, hence no visa. Under current scenario with no changes: Even if I got admit, I would have to turn down Johnson flat. Now I understand why only a handful of international students from my Continent are enrolled at Johnson.

International R1 applicant here, and I am very surprised to see the discussion on funding for international candidates in this forum! Looks like I have not done enough homework on financial aid and I have obviously missed this potential complication

I am actually gearing up for my alum interview tomorrow, and this discussion is certainly not helping in my motivation now. I hope there is a way out for internationals who are not able to source for the necessary funding without US student loans. I, for sure, fall into this unfortunate category.

I have some optimism (thats quickly dying out) left in me.....fingers crossed

Hi,

can anyone please post the recommendation form for cornell. Need to give the standard questions to my recommender.

regards,
madzy

hello all, I will be gearing up for round 3 of the application. =)

Hi Kevintay,

Congrats to your R1 interview invitation and good luck. Ignore the funding hell, just wow the interviewer. I see you have great options with other school interviews completed. With your profile and Gmat, Johnson will be glad to have you in its class.

I was caught off by the funding small print and didn't motivate with my R2 application. It felt like wasting good efforts for a vital application that could have gone to another school. Maybe you can ask the interviewer how he managed the funding conundrum.