Accepted International Students
Enrollment Checklist
To accept our offer of admission, please complete the online “Reply to Offer of Admission” form which can be found on your My Next Steps page in your Admissions Portal.
Once you complete this form, your My Next Steps page will be updated and you will be able to confirm your Enrollment. Details and due dates are outlined in the section below.
Master's Students
You are required to submit your $500 non-refundable enrollment deposit to the Office of Graduate Enrollment Services in order to reserve your place in the program, allow for the provisioning of your RIT student account, and apply for campus housing. The deadline for submission of your tuition deposit is:
- May 1 (Summer or Fall term entry)
- December 15 (Spring term entry)
- If your acceptance offer is received after the standard due date, you will be required to confirm your enrollment within 2 weeks of your acceptance notification.
To pay via credit card and to expedite the processing of your online deposit, please log into your Admissions Portal and on the My Next Steps page submit your payment using the secure link found under “Payment Due”. If you would like to pay your admission deposit by mail or wire transfer please view our additional methods of payment. Once your deposit is received, please allow 1-2 business days for processing. Your other required enrollment steps (i.e., RIT Account, housing contract) will not be available until your payment has been processed.
Ph.D. Students
Ph.D. students are required to confirm acceptance of your offer to the Office of Graduate Enrollment Services, to the Dean of Graduate Studies, and to your academic department. Confirmation of your enrollment will reserve your place in your program, provision your RIT Account and allow you to apply for campus housing. The deadline for confirming your acceptance of our offer is stated in your acceptance letter. Please see your acceptance letter for additional details and any additional required steps to confirm your enrollment. Ph.D. students do not need to pay a tuition deposit.
Your RIT Account and Your RIT Email address will be provisioned when you confirm your enrollment, as indicated in the step above. You will receive an account activation email from RIT when your Acceptance of Admissions deposit has been received and posted to our system. The account activation email will be sent to the email address supplied on your admissions application. If after two business days you have not received the account activation email, please contact the RIT Service Center. Please note: the RIT Student Account is different than the RIT Admissions Account you used during the application process.
RIT is provides Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) as an extra layer of security for systems that store sensitive data. MFA is a way of ensuring that only you are able to access your accounts in these applications. In addition to your username and password, MFA requires you to provide an additional verification step to prove it is really you accessing your account. All RIT students’ need to enroll in MFA. Learn how to enroll in MFA
Current RIT community members/current students who already have an active RIT Account will not receive an activation email as your current RIT Account will remain the same.
RIT has partnered with Google to provide RIT Gmail accounts to all students. To access your RIT Gmail account, visit the home for Google Apps at RIT, google.rit.edu. All email communication from RIT will be sent to your RIT student email address. Additionally, you can set e-mail preferences by visiting the Start portal.
Students from China may not be able to access your RIT email account since it is driven by Google. If this is the case, it is important that you follow the instructions below to forward email from your RIT account to another email account you use.
- Navigate to the Start portal and click the Mail Preferences link on the left.
- You will be prompted to log in using your RIT Account.
- Under the Mail Forwarding option, click the other radio button and provide the full email address that you want the mail to go to.
- Save by selecting Change my Email Settings.
Visit RIT Housing if you would like to be considered for on-campus housing. RIT Housing assignments are made on a first-come, first-served basis, depending upon the date you confirm your enrollment and submit your housing application. RIT Housing is available for graduate students but cannot be guaranteed.
You can also view our housing options guide for helpful information to aid in your on- or off-campus housing search.
The orientation event schedule will be announced closer to the start of the term. You will receive details in your rit.edu email for any orientation events offered and any registration links (if required). Generally, orientation events occur the week before classes begin.
All graduate students enrolled in another college must submit final official transcripts. If you will receive a degree prior to enrollment at RIT, final transcripts must indicate receipt of the degree and conferred date.
Transcript Requirements
International Students/International Colleges and Universities:
- Official Final Transcript(s) (for all universities/colleges attended) - English and foreign language versions
- Official Degree Certificate(s) (international universities only) - English and foreign language versions
US Citizens/US Colleges and Universities:
- Official Final Transcript(s) (for all universities/colleges attended)
How to Submit Transcripts
When all your classes are complete, make arrangements to submit transcripts to the Office of Graduate Enrollment Services:
- By mail - Original transcripts issued by your university and sent to RIT in a sealed envelope. (If they are mailed to you, they must remain in their original, sealed envelope.
Attention: Office of Graduate Enrollment Services
Rochester Institute of Technology
Bausch & Lomb Center, Bldg. 77, Room A-130
58 Lomb Memorial Drive Rochester, New York 14623-5604 - Digital Copy - Some institutions allow you to request a digital copy. You can request a PDF official copy be emailed to gradinfo@rit.edu.
- In-Person - You may present them in-person in their original, sealed envelope.
Failure to submit official original transcripts and proof of completion of degree required for entry to your RIT program will result in your being unable to register for courses.
If your admission to RIT is contingent on additional coursework or other special requirements, a Graduate Admission Contingency Form is enclosed in your acceptance packet. Please read it carefully. Sign one copy and send it to the Office of Graduate Enrollment Services in the envelope provided, or fax to 1-585-475- 7164, or send a scanned copy by email to gradinfo@rit.edu. If you have any questions regarding the conditions of your acceptance, please contact your academic department.
Directions for completing required health history and immunization forms will be emailed to your RIT Account from the Student Health Center. Forms should be submitted as early as possible. Please contact the Student Health Center at (585) 475-2255 or ritshc@rit.edu with questions.
Additional information is available on the Student Health website, including information related to student health immunizations.
All full and part-time international students (except those on H1b Visas) will be automatically enrolled in the RIT Student Health Plan each semester, based on registration status, and billed by Student Financial Services. International students who have comparable ACA-compliant coverage may submit a waiver form. Short-term and travel insurance plans are not comparable coverage. For more details visit the RIT Health Insurance website and your Wellness Portal.
If you have questions about your program or registering for classes, contact the graduate program director or advisor in your academic department. Visit the Department Contact List and click on your specific program to obtain your Graduate Program Director’s contact information. They can assist you in reviewing program requirements, planning a schedule, and guiding you through the registration process.
Review the section below under Guide for Full Time Students to help you plan for your arrival.
If, due to unusual circumstances, you are unable to attend RIT in the term you have been admitted, you may be able to defer your admission to a future term. Admitted students may defer their offer of admission one time and may request a deferral for up to one year. Defers will require that the student has confirmed their enrollment indicating they have accepted the offer of admission and paid the tuition deposit, when applicable. Approval for the deferral of the admission also requires the approval of the Graduate Program Director. Email Graduate Admissions at gradinfo@rit.edu, if you have additional questions.
Guide / Arrival Information
The information provided here will help you as you plan for your arrival at RIT. If you are beginning your studies at RIT in Spring or Summer terms, you may move into your RIT housing on the day before classes begin.
RIT has a semester calendar. With academic department approval, you may join classes NO LATER than the sixth class day from the beginning of the term.
RIT is located within 7 miles of the Rochester International Airport. If you are arriving by plane, you should take a taxi from the airport to the campus. The taxi fare is approximately $20. If you are arriving by bus or train, you should choose the destination of “Rochester, New York” and take a taxi from the train station or bus terminal to the campus. The ride will be about 20-30 minutes and the taxi fare will vary.
If you are assigned campus housing, the Housing Operations Office will contact you with more details regarding move-in dates and procedures. Check the On-Campus Living website for more information.
Remember that most of the RIT housing available for graduate students is not furnished. You should have something to sleep on for your first night on campus. Students living in RIT apartments should not send their belongings ahead.
The weather in Rochester is varied. It is usually hot and humid from June through September, and cold and snowy from November through March. Other months are moderate in temperature. You will need a heavy wind and rain resistant coat, waterproof boots, and gloves for the cold months. Students usually wear comfortable, informal clothing to attend classes.
If you will arrive in Rochester prior to when you can move into your graduate housing, you should make arrangements to stay in an area hotel. You should make a reservation at the hotel/motel before you arrive, and be sure to ask if there is an RIT discount rate. RIT does not offer early arrival accommodations.
You should bring enough money with you for your first few weeks at RIT. Many students have found it helpful to bring $1,000 in traveler’s checks. You may also wish to consider using an ATM machine on campus to access cash from an account previously established. The ATM machines on campus are supplied by Advantage Federal Credit Union, Bank of America, First Niagara and M&T, and use the NYCE, CIRRUS, Global Access, PLUS, Visa, and MasterCard networks. You should not carry more than $100 in cash.
You may open a checking and/or savings account at a bank in the Rochester area usually between the hours of 9:30 am and 3:00 pm, Monday through Saturday. It will take about 2 weeks for your new account to be activated, and for you to receive personalized checks from the bank.
Keep your passport, I-20 or DS-2019, other important documents, and your money on your person at all times. Immigration documents must be presented at the port of entry to the United States.
During travel, you should carry a small bag with personal items, a change of clothing, and any valuable items in case your luggage does not arrive in Rochester when you do. You should contact the airline or other carrier with which you will be traveling to find out about any luggage weight, size, or quantity restrictions. Be sure to label your luggage with your name, address, and telephone number, both at home and at RIT.
You should bring enough money to cover your expenses while traveling. We recommend that you carry at least $100 in U.S. dollars (include smaller denominations too, as you may need them for airport shuttles, taxis, etc.).
Remember that most of the RIT housing available for graduate students is not furnished. You should have something to sleep on for your first night on campus.
The weather in Rochester is varied. It is usually hot and humid from June through September, and cold and snowy from November through March. Other months are moderate in temperature. You will need a heavy wind and rain resistant coat, waterproof boots, and gloves for the cold months. Students usually wear comfortable, informal clothing to attend classes.
Students living in RIT apartments should not send their belongings ahead. Please DO NOT send baggage to International Student Services.
- RIT Graduate Bulletin
- International Student Services
- Rochester Global Connections – A non-profit organization committed to enriching the lives of international students studying in the Rochester area (585-275-8779)
The RIT mobile app includes essential information and services including a searchable RIT campus map, real-time bus locations, next-time arrivals, and schedules, campus dining locations and hours, a calendar of campus events, and more.
Obtaining or Maintaining Your Student Visa
Ph.D. Students: Fully funded PhD students, typically, do NOT need to submit VISA Document checklist items (Financial Support Documents or Sponsor Letter). Please email gradinfo@rit.edu, if you have questions.
These steps apply to you whether you are obtaining a new student visa, transferring from another U.S. university to RIT, or updating your status due to a new degree level at RIT:
Upload Documents to Your RIT Admissions Portal
To receive your I-20 or DS-2019 from RIT, upload the following materials to your RIT Admissions Portal. The VISA Documents checklists will be added to your portal after admission. At that time, you will be able to upload your documents.
- Visa Documents: Financial Support Documents: Upload any of the below acceptable financial support documents to demonstrate proof of funding.
- Visa Documents: Sponsor Letter (if applicable): If the funds are not in your name, you need to provide a sponsor letter from each person owning the funds. You may use this sponsor letter template.
- Visa Documents: Passport: Upload a copy of the identification page of your passport. Your passport may be added at the time you submit your application or after admission.
View the items below for additional information on these requirements and additional requirements that may apply to you.
Financial Support Documents
Acceptable financial support documents
RIT accepts the following liquid funds as Financial Support Documents:
- Savings or Checking Account - a statement or letter from the bank confirming total available funds.
- Term/Fixed Deposits - showing a maturity date no later than the program start date and/or a statement confirming funds are accessible at any time.
- Student Loan Sanction Letter - indicating the amount of funding and the period of eligibility. The funds cannot have any contingencies other than visa approval.
- Government/Agency Sponsor Original Letter - indicating the amount of guaranteed financial funding and eligibility period.
Note: RIT Graduate Scholarship and/or Graduate Assistantship, if awarded, will be considered as part of the available funds when issuing your I-20 or DS-2019.
The following list includes financial documents that RIT does NOT accept as proof of funding, but it is not exhaustive:
- Investment portfolios
- Provident funds
- Retirement plans
- Salary agreements or pay stubs
- Lines of credits
- Deeds to real estate
Once your financial support documents are provided, your admissions counselor will review them to ensure they meet the requirements. Once verified, your I-20 or DS-2019 will be sent to you via email within 7-10 business days.
Financial support document requirements
- Must be issued within the past 6 months
- Must be marked with the official stamp and/or seal of the issuing financial institution
- Must state the account holder’s name
- Must indicate the currency of funds in U.S. dollars or be accompanied by an official document confirming conversion to U.S. funds
- Must be in English
A note on multiple funding sources: You may secure funds from multiple sources, following provided guidelines. The total amount of the funds must equal or exceed the amount required in your I-20 or DS-2019 Visa Information Sheet.
Dollar amount required
According to U.S. government regulations, you must demonstrate sufficient financial resources to cover tuition, fees, supplies, health insurance, and living expenses for at least one academic year (two semesters) of full-time study.
The exact dollar amount is provided as part of your admission letters in your I-20 or DS-2019 Visa Information Sheet. Proof of Funds required to issue your I-20 or DS-2019 is not your total graduate education cost.
To learn more about your graduate education cost, visit our Estimate Your Graduate Education Cost website. Please note that the cost of attendance is subject to annual changes and may be slightly higher at the time of enrollment.
Additional Requirements For:
Current RIT students obtaining a new degree at RIT: Complete the Request for Change of Level I-20/Matriculation DS-2019 form. RIT's International Student Services will process the form and contact you directly via email.
International students currently attending a U.S. school: Work with your current university/college International Student Services representative to complete the SEVIS Transfer Release Form: New Graduate Students Transferring to RIT. Complete it and email it to gradinfo@rit.edu.
Requirements for Dependents
You have the option to request an I-20 or DS-2019 for your spouse and/or unmarried children under the age of 21 (dependents). To process the I-20 or DS-2019 for your dependents, RIT requests the following:
- Completed Biographic Information for Dependents Form
- Copy of each dependent's passport information page
- To cover the living expenses of your dependents, the following additional financial supporting funds are required:
|
Number of Dependents |
Amount |
|---|---|
| 1 | $16,142 |
| 2 | $24,213 |
| 3 | $32,284 |
| 4 | $40,355 |
| 5 | $48,426 |
Complete these requirements and send them to gradinfo@rit.edu. You can expect to receive your dependents’ I-20 or DS-2019 within 5-7 business days.
The following instructions are for obtaining your F-1 student visa if you have an I-20 Certificate of Eligibility:
You should contact the Embassy or Consulate of the United States at which you expect to apply for an F-1 Student Visa, and ask what will be required in the application process. This varies from station to station. You may or may not be interviewed in person for visa approval. Regardless, you should be prepared for the visa interview with the following documents:
- Entire I-20 form (three pages)
- The original letter of admission to RIT
- Copies of all academic records and test results, including GMAT or GRE (if required for admission to RIT), and TOEFL report
- Scholarship or assistantship notification letter if you have a financial aid offer from RIT
- Assistantship or campus employment notification if awarded
- Original bank statement showing the amount you or your sponsor is expected to contribute to your expenses at RIT, as shown on your I-20
- Letter of support from your sponsor, indicating the amount of funding to be given for your support
- Letter of guarantee from the bank or other agency if a loan is part of your support
If you are currently in your country of citizenship and do not possess a valid (un-expired) F-1 visa, present your I-20 form and your passport to the nearest American Consulate to officially apply for an F-1 student visa.
Please note the following if you possess a valid F-1 visa from another school: If you have previously entered the US with an I-20 and visa from another school, you may use that same visa along with an RIT I-20 to re-enter the US for attendance at RIT.
If your F-1 visa has never been used to enter the US, then you will need to get it replaced or adjusted at the US embassy. The very first time you enter the US with a new F-1 visa, the school that is noted on that visa must match the I-20 and must be for the school you will attend. So, you will need to go back to the embassy and request a replacement or adjustment to the school annotation on your visa. Please be prepared to show all the documentation that you showed on your first visa interview (acceptance letter, proof of financial support, I-20).
If you are not in the United States, and not in your country of citizenship, present your I-20 form and your passport to the nearest American Embassy or Consulate and follow the procedures above as if you were in your country of citizenship.
If you are in the United States and are transferring to RIT from another school, and do not intend to leave the U.S. prior to your arrival at RIT, bring your RIT I-20 and your passport, proof that you were a full-time student at your previous school in the term prior to your transfer to RIT (International Student Advisor’s Report), and a copy of your official registration at RIT as a full-time student to International Student Services at RIT no later than 15 days after the beginning of classes. The Coordinator will endorse your transfer to RIT and return your I-20 Student Copy to you. This will complete your transfer to RIT.
You are required to report to International Student Services in the Office of Student Transition and Support at RIT within 5 days of your arrival at RIT. Failure to do so may jeopardize your visa status. The International Student Services office is located in the Student Alumni Union. Contact information is available at the end of this packet.
The following instructions are for obtaining your J-1 exchange visitor visa if you have a DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility:
You should contact the Embassy or Consulate of the United States at which you expect to apply for a J-1 Student Visa, and ask what will be required in the application process. This varies from station to station. You may or may not be interviewed in person for visa approval. Regardless, you should be prepared for the visa interview with the following documents:
- Entire DS-2019 form (three pages)
- The original letter of admission to RIT
- Copy of all academic records and test results, including GMAT or GRE (if required for admission to RIT), and TOEFL report
- Scholarship or assistantship notification letter if you have a financial aid offer from RIT
- Assistantship or campus employment notification if awarded
- Guarantee from your sponsor indicating the amount of funding which will be provided for your support while at RIT
- Proof of health insurance which will be valid in the United States
- Original bank statements showing the amount you will provide for your support, if appropriate.
Be advised that some persons granted J-1 visas are subject to a “two year residency requirement” which means that the visa holder will be required to return to his/her home country for a period of two years before certain other U.S. visas will be granted. Persons who are subject to this requirement are those whose exchange visitor program is financed by either the government or the home country; whose skills are needed by the home country; or whose purpose in coming to the United States is to receive graduate medical education or training.
If you are in the United States and are transferring to RIT from another school at which your category in section 4 of your current DS-2019 is “student,” you will not be required to leave the U.S. to obtain a new visa if your current “program sponsor” will sign the release at the bottom right side of the RIT DS-2019 allowing your program sponsorship to be assumed by RIT. You must present your RIT DS-2019 with the signed release section to International Student Services upon arrival at RIT. If your current category was other than “student” or if your current school will not release you, then you must apply from outside the United States for a new visa before beginning your studies at RIT.
You are required to report to International Student Services in the Office of Student Transition and Support at RIT within 5 days of your arrival at RIT. Failure to do so may jeopardize your visa status.
If you currently hold an F-2 Visa, please note the following: Applicants for a change of status from F-2 to F-1 may not attend RIT until their change of status is approved by USCIS. You will find change of status information on the International Student Services website. RIT's ISS staff will assist you in applying for a change of status. Please contact the ISS office at 475-6943 as soon as possible to begin the process of changing your visa status.
Arrival Information
RIT is located within 7 miles of the Rochester International Airport. If you are arriving by plane, you should take a taxi from the airport to the campus. The taxi fare is approximately $20. If you are arriving by bus or train, you should choose the destination of “Rochester, New York” and take a taxi from the train station or bus terminal to the campus. The ride will be about 20-30 minutes and the taxi fare will vary.
Students arriving in New York City (NYC) by plane should book passage through to Rochester, which is an additional one-hour flight. You may also take a train or bus from New York City, which will take an additional 8 hours to reach Rochester. Allow yourself enough time to travel from the NYC airport (LaGuardia, Kennedy, or Newark) to the train station or bus terminal, as ground transportation in NYC can be time-consuming.
If you are assigned campus housing, the Housing Operations Office will contact you with more details regarding move-in dates and procedures. Visit RIT Housing for more information.
Remember that most of the RIT housing available for graduate students is not furnished. You should have something to sleep on for your first night on campus. Students living in RIT apartments should not send their belongings ahead.
The weather in Rochester is varied. It is usually hot and humid from June through September, and cold and snowy from November through March. Other months are moderate in temperature. You will need a heavy wind and rain resistant coat, waterproof boots, and gloves for the cold months. Students usually wear comfortable, informal clothing to attend classes.
All international students must attend the International Student Orientation Program. This program provides information on programs and services offered by the International Student Services and other RIT Offices. Information sessions cover topics such as employment in the U.S., immigration information, health care and health insurance, U.S. tax obligations, safety concerns, and U.S. Social Security Numbers. At the International Student Orientation, you will meet the PALs (Peer Advisor Leaders). PALs are current RIT International and American student volunteers who will help answer your questions and assist you in getting settled at RIT. Enclosed is a letter from International Student Services (ISS) with more information. The ISS Orientation registration form is available at the international student orientation website
Additional Information for Graduate Students
The RIT student ID is a picture ID, your RIT library card, and your access to campus facilities. You will need your RIT student ID for student rates for tickets to special campus events, to obtain an on-campus parking permit, or to write a check on campus.
Take a selfie and create your own student ID for pickup during Orientation. Resident students will receive their ID during move-in and commuters can stop by the Office of the Registrar to pick up their ID during Orientation. View photo guidelines and submissions
If you need assistance or have a question related to your ID Card or Photo Submission, please reach out to the RIT Service Center.
This office serves as a resource for all international students on visas as well as for members of the campus community seeking cross-cultural assistance. The staff advises students on immigration issues, helps them adjust to academic and cultural expectations in the United States, and provides cross-cultural programs. In addition, the office coordinates off-campus hospitality through the Rochester International Council. International Student Services offers orientation each term. In the fall, the PAL (Peer Advisor Leader) program matches up returning students with new students on a one-to-one basis to help them with their adjustment to RIT and the United States. Visit their website
The English Language Center offers courses in academic writing, reading, speaking and language analysis for international students. Courses on research and academic language are designed specifically for graduate students. Tuition is charged for the services of the English Language Center. English language courses are not credit-bearing, but course grades appear on RIT transcripts as part of the RIT academic record.
All graduate students whose native language is not English are required to submit scores for an international test of English (TOEFL, IELTS, or the PTE Academic). Those who do not meet the requirements set by the graduate department to which they apply will be admitted contingent upon their taking English language courses in addition to their academic program. Placement in English language courses will be determined based on your English language test overall score and sub scores.
RIT’s English Language Center offers a diagnostic test, which you may choose to take for a chance to challenge the English language requirement (to try to get placed in a higher English level, or to test out of required English courses). The exam is offered online for a cost of $50 and must be taken before the beginning of your first term of study at RIT.
Please visit RIT's English Language Proficiency Test webpage to learn more about the test. Also, visit the English Language Center website for more information about RIT English Language Center courses and services for graduate students, or contact ritelc@rit.edu for questions or details regarding your English language requirements.
All vehicles operated on campus must be registered with Public Safety, and must display an Institute parking hangtag. Both a valid RIT ID and a state car registration (or a copy) are required to register your vehicle. You may register your vehicle online at the parking website or by going to the Public Safety Office in Grace Watson Dining Hall (Building 25). When you register your vehicle, you will receive a Public Safety map that shows the locations of the courtesy call boxes, parking regulations, and other important information.
Selecting and ordering textbooks, other course materials, and supplies can be completed through RIT's online bookstore. You may log in with your RIT account to view a personalized page of your courses and corresponding course materials, or search for materials by course. Materials will be shipped directly to you.
RIT logoed products and spirit wear can be purchased at the Digital Den in Monroe Hall.
MyCourses is the campus-wide course management system in use at RIT. Every RIT course has a myCourses presence. This web-based application enables instructors to enhance their on-campus courses with online features that are utilized at the discretion of the instructor. In addition, many online course instructors employ myCourses to deliver their courses. Students login to myCourses with their RIT DCE account. More information and help on how to use myCourses can be found on myCourses
The Student Information System, or SIS, provides a convenient method for students to register for courses and obtain information from the Registrar’s and Student Financial Services offices. SIS is a menu driven system which uses onscreen prompts to allow you to access the function you desire and navigate through the various options. Once you have a RIT Account you can access SIS.
Each graduate department has specific requirements and procedures for graduate students. New graduate students should contact their academic advisor for additional information regarding registration. View all graduate degrees and locate your degree program for detailed information.
Online Students: Once your academic advisor has assisted you with course registration for your first term of study with RIT, you will be granted access to myCourses, the online course management portal.
Continuing students may register in person, by mail, by fax (585-475-7005), or online via the Student Information System.
Billing and Payment Procedures
Preferred Deposit Method: The easiest and best way to pay your tuition deposit is by logging into your portal account your portal account (your myRIT account) - look for the link to Pay Your Deposit. Paying your deposit in this manner with a credit card makes your payment “authenticated” and will result in faster processing and acknowledgement of your payment.
IMPORTANT: Students submitting the acceptance deposit after the deadline noted in their offer of admission letter may have their deposit returned, once enrollment capacity has been reached.
Other Ways to Pay Your Enrollment Deposit: If someone is paying your deposit for you, or if you do not want to pay by logging into your portal account, you can use the following alternative payment methods which occur outside of our admission system. Be aware that using the following alternatives will result in slower processing and payment acknowledgement. A link to these methods can be found here.
Ph.D. students do not need to pay a tuition deposit.
You may view and pay your electronic bill in eServices.
Due dates, payment options, and policies are available through Student Financial Services.
Graduate tuition is charged each semester based on the number of credit hours in which you are enrolled. The following are two cost estimates for one year of study (two semesters); one for degrees that typically requires 9 credit hours per semester, the other for degrees that require 12 or more credit hours per semester.
Information on costs and fees can be found on the tuition and fees page.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Full-time, accepted graduate students may be awarded scholarships and assistantships by their academic departments. Scholarships are generally awarded during the admission review process. If you have been awarded a scholarship, you will receive a scholarship letter in your acceptance packet.
Assistantships are awarded through the academic departments and the process varies by department. For more information regarding application procedures, please contact the graduate coordinator in your academic department.
RIT's Center for Campus Life offers opportunities for Graduate Assistantships. These positions are available to all incoming graduate students. Positions are available in the following areas:
- Building Management Services and Vending
- Campus Life & Student Government
- Clubs & Organizations
- Event Management
- Interfraternity Council Advisor
- Marketing Design
- New Student Orientation Program Coordinator
- New Student Orientation Communications Coordinator
- Off-Campus and Commuter Services
- Space Reservations
Please visit Career Connect to review positions and apply for current vacancies.
If you have not been awarded a scholarship or assistantship, you can contact your academic advisor concerning opportunities that might be available to you after you enroll at RIT.
Alternative educational loans - Alternative educational loans are private loans offered through banks to supplement financial aid awards. RIT is required to certify these loans to ensure that the loan amount does not exceed the cost of attendance less all other financial aid. Most alternative loans are disbursed equally into student accounts according to enrollment plans. If you decide that an alternative loan is right for you, you may borrow from any lender that you choose. When choosing a lender for an alternative loan, you may wish to consider the following factors:
- Citizenship status required by the lender, for both the borrower and the co-signer
- Loan costs (interest rates and fees)
- Borrower benefits and discounts
- Customer service
RIT does not recommend or endorse particular lenders. We encourage students to review all of the options and loan terms and conditions very carefully first.
Student Employment – Full-time, matriculated international students (9 or more credits or full-time equivalents) may hold part-time jobs on campus. Students may apply for campus jobs through the student employment office website or apply directly to campus employers. Students may work up to 20 hours per week when school is in session and up to 40 hours per week during break periods. Students on F-1 or J-1 visas are not allowed to work off-campus without the permission of the International Student Program Coordinator or the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service.
Campus Services
RIT is a remarkable and diverse university with a vast array of services and opportunities to attend activities and events as well as vital student needs. Some of the services provided on campus are the Office of Cooperative Education and Career Services, the Student Health Center, Public Safety, the Wallace Library, Information Systems and Computing Services, the Counseling Center, and Margaret’s House Child Care Program.
Included on campus are laundry facilities, dining halls, convenience stores, hairdressers, bookstore, religious services, athletic facilities, medical facility, and computer centers. There is transportation provided across campus during most hours. A shuttle bus service is provided at set hours between the campus and local shopping areas. Taxis and the regional public bus service also serve the campus.
RIT Housing offers tailored solutions to fit incoming graduate students' unique needs. Housing options include single to multiple occupancy housing, residence halls, Greek housing, and apartment and suite-style options over a wide range of rates. Laundry, utilities, and all functional amenities are included. RIT housing contracts coincide with the academic year and students leaving for co-op, research, or study abroad can rest assured that they can end their housing contract with no fee or subletting needed.
RIT housing assignments are made on a first-come, first-served basis, depending upon the date we receive your tuition deposit and housing application. RIT housing is available for graduate students, but cannot be guaranteed.
RIT has self-operating dining locations and offers a variety of dining options including: Brick City Café, Global Village Cantina and Grille, Grace Watson Dining Hall (Gracie’s), the RITZ Sports Zone, the Commons, and the Crossroads Café and Market. In addition, the Corner Store offers everything a convenience store has to offer and more. Each dining facility is open at specific hours and has unique menus and services. More information can be obtained by visiting the dining services website.
Students may open a Dining Dollars Account to be used in any of the dining location on campus. You may deposit any amount of money into your Dining Dollars account. No minimum balance is required. When using your Dining Dollars Account to pay for food in any of the dining location, you will receive an 8% savings off your total purchase. Any money deposited into your Dining Dollars account will roll over from the fall semester to the spring semester and any unused Dining Dollars will be forfeited.
A Tiger Bucks Account differs from a Dining Dollars Account in that Tiger Bucks allows students to purchase goods and services at participating locations not restricted to dining locations. For example, you may use a Tiger Bucks for purchases at all dining locations, vending machines, the library, and the Digital Den, to name only a few. To add funds to either of these accounts, please visit Tiger Spend. If you have any questions about the dining options or meal plans, please contact Dining at the service center or 585-475-5000.
The Student Health Center provides primary medical care on an outpatient basis. The staff includes physicians, nurse practitioners, a physician assistant, nurses, support staff and an interpreter for the deaf. Services available include: general medical diagnosis and treatment, immunizations, sexual health services, basic laboratory tests, mental health care, prescriptions, and lifestyle counseling.
Students can elect to pay a Health Fee per term, or a fee per visit. RIT requires that full-time graduate students maintain health insurance. Coverage is available through the RIT-sponsored insurance plan. Learn more about the RIT Student Health Insurance Plan. Insurance is necessary to access off-campus services, i.e., referral to specialists and x-ray services.
Security on campus is provided by Public Safety Services, although each individual is responsible for his/her own personal safety. The safety of students and their belongings is a top priority. The campus and its buildings are patrolled regularly, a Mobile Escort van, and walking escort service are available 7 days a week, and blue-light courtesy boxes are located throughout the campus.
RIT Public Safety has worked to develop a unique app, the Tiger Safe app, that provides students, faculty, and staff with added safety on the RIT campus. The app will send you important safety alerts and provide instant access to campus safety resources. Download the app
The RIT Disability Services Office is committed to providing equal access to programs, services and physical facilities to students with disabilities. Students who would like to request academic accommodation due to a disability should submit a request form and documentation of the disability to the Disability Services Office. The Director will review the request and supporting documentation and recommend appropriate and reasonable accommodations as needed. All information submitted is considered confidential and is for use only by Disability Services. No information is released without your consent.
We do not provide or coordinate personal services. Students need to make their own arrangements for mobility training, personal care assistants and personal adaptive equipment. Tutoring is not considered an accommodation; there are various academic support opportunities available within RIT for all students.
To request accommodations due to a disability, please submit a completed Disability Services Request and documentation to the Disability Services Office. You can find the online and printable request form on the disability services website by clicking on the “Accommodations” link. You can also refer to the “Documentation” link for more information about documentation.
Please send requests and documentation to the Disability Services Office; do not send disability information intended to serve as documentation to Admissions, Student Health or other departments within RIT.
Rochester Institute of Technology
Disability Services Office
Student Alumni Union, Room 1150
28 Lomb Memorial Drive
Rochester, NY 14623-5604
Phone: (585) 475-2023 Fax: (585) 475-2215
Web Address: https://www.rit.edu/disabilityservices/
| RIT Graduate School | 585-475-2127 | http://www.rit.edu/academicaffairs/graduateeducation/ |
| Campus Store and Virtual Bookstore | https://www.rit.edu/campus-store | |
| Public Safety |
585-475-2853 |
https://www.rit.edu/fa/publicsafety/ |
| ITS Service Desk | 585-475-5000 | http://www.rit.edu/its/ |
| Student Financial Services | 585-475-6186 | http://www.rit.edu/fa/sfs/ |
| Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships | 585-475-2186 | https://www.rit.edu/admissions/financial-aid |
| Online and Professional Education Admissions | 585-475-2229 | https://www.rit.edu/admissions/online |
| Office of the Registrar | 585-475-2821 | http://www.rit.edu/registrar |
| RIT Libraries at the Wallace Library | 585-475-2563 | https://www.rit.edu/library/ |
| Student Health Center | 585-475-2255 | http://www.rit.edu/studenthealth/ |
| Veterans and Military Enrollment Svcs | 585-475-6641 | https://www.rit.edu/admissions/veterans |