Admissions Requirements

Additional Documentation

Students should also be prepared to submit a copy of their Passport, Student VISA (if obtained), and I-94 form.

Applying for a Driver's License

If you are inquiring about what you need in order to get or renew a driver's license, please first check your local Department or Bureau of Motor Vehicles (DMV/BMV). Driver's Licenses are issued by states, each of which has its own unique rules and regulations about licenses for international visitors and students.

Many states require that you or your dependent have an SSN or have already applied for one before you apply for a driver's license. In these states, if you or your dependents are not eligible to work but want to apply for a driver's license, you must first apply for an SSN at the local SSA office and receive a Form SSA-L676, "Refusal to Process SSN Application."

In most states, students applying for a driver’s license should be prepared to present the below listed documents to the D/BMV (if applicable):

1. Passport

2. Visa

3. I-94

4. Continued Attendance I-20

5. Proof of residency – check with your state (i.e. utility bills, bank statements)

6. SSN Card or SSA-L676 Form, "Refusal to Process SSN Application

7. D/BMV Support Letter from Cumberland University (in some states, you might need one).

If requesting a letter, email ISS at iss@cumberland.edu or Click Here to Request a D/BMV Support Letter – Please fill out the request form by writing all the information exactly as seen on your I-20

When requesting a Cumberland D/BMV Support Letter, please keep in mind the following:

• D/BMV Support Letter is for currently enrolled students

• It can take up to 3-5 days to receive your D/BMV Support Letter

For more information see the following website:

Learn More >>
 

Do I need to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN)? Many students think that they need to have a SSN to open a bank account, or rent an apartment. You do not need an SSN to do any of these things. An SSN is a nine-digit number assigned by the SSA to track workers’ earnings and for tax purposes. The SSA generally only assigns SSNs to U.S. citizens, permanent residents and individuals legally authorized to work in the United States.

As an F-1 student, you may be eligible for an SSN in certain circumstances:

• You have authorization for curricular practical training (CPT)
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has approved your application for employment authorization (i.e. OPT)
• You have have secured on-campus employment. If you have on-campus work authorization, it is especially important to talk to your DSO about requirements because the SSA will need specific information from the on-campus employer and from the DSO about the on-campus job.

To obtain a Social Security Number (SSN), you must first have a job offer and CPT work permission by Cumberland University. To apply, the student must be in the US and apply with the local SSN office no earlier than 30 days before the start date of employment as recorded on their I-20 form. For more information, click HERE. 

Once you receive a job offer and CPT is approved by one of our Cumberland University DSOs,  you may request an SSN Support Letter. You will need to take your SSN Support Letter and Continued Attendance I-20 with Work Authorization along with the items below to your nearest social security office:

1. Passport
2. Visa
3. I-94 (can be downloaded from https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/search/recent-search)
4. Two (2) proof of residency (current utility bills, bank statement, rental contract, automobile/life/health insurance, etc.)
5. Employment Letter
6. SS-5 Form - Please fill out the request form by writing all the information exactly as seen on your I-20.

• CU SSN Support Letter is for currently enrolled students
• It can take up to 2 weeks to receive your CPT I-20 and another 3-5 days to receive your CU SSN Support Letter
• SSN applications often take 2-4 weeks to process, but can take longer depending on how busy your local SSN office is
• F-2 dependents are not eligible for a SSN

Once you've obtained an SSN card, you are required to send a copy to us at iss@cumberland.edu. Please keep these processing times in mind when you apply for CPT if you need an SSN. For more information, visit their website.

Employment Options for F-1 Students

F-1 students have limited employment options under U.S. immigration regulations. All employment, whether on or off campus, must be reviewed and approved in advance by a Designated School Official (DSO) in the International Student Services (ISS) Office.
 

On-Campus Employment

Cumberland University offers a limited number of on-campus employment opportunities for graduate students. Students may work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year. These positions are commonly referred to as Graduate Assistant (GA) roles.

To be eligible, students must live within a one-hour drive of campus.

View On-Campus Job Opportunities >>
 

Off-Campus Employment

F-1 students may not work off campus without prior written authorization from the International Student Services Office.

ISS can assist eligible students with the required steps and documentation for:

• Curricular Practical Training (CPT) 
• Optional Practical Training (OPT).

Students must contact ISS before accepting or beginning any off-campus employment.

 

CPT Information

CPT is a type of off-campus training—such as an internship, practicum, or co-op—that is required by your degree program and directly related to your major. As defined by federal regulations (8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(i)), CPT must be part of your academic curriculum and offered through a partnership between your school and an employer.

• Graduate students can request CPT in their first semester of enrollment, it is an integral part of the student’s graduate studies.
• There is no limit to the number of months a student utilizes part-time CPT.
• If a student completes 12 months (11 months and 29 days) or more of full-time CPT, he or she will not be eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT). It is student’s responsibility to keep track of the number of months he or she has participated in CPT.

The process will be completed through Dropbox Sign, an e-signature platform that allows all required parties to review and sign the Cooperative Agreement electronically. After you submit this form:

1. You will receive an email from Dropbox Sign (name: Int Student Services at Cumberland U, email: noreply@mail.hellosign.com) with a link to complete your section of the Cooperative Agreement. Upload your offer letter (details below) on official company letterhead in the field provided and submit once all fields are complete.

2. Your employer will then receive an email to review and sign their portion. Ask them to check spam/junk folders if they do not see it.

3. Once the employer signs, your DSO will review the document and process your CPT authorization.

Required documents for your CPT application include:

A signed Cooperative Agreement, completed by you, your employer, and your Designated School Official (DSO). The DSO confirms that the position is related to your major and meets academic program requirements. You can see a draft version of the CU CPT Cooperative Agreement here. The form you submit will be online. 

Offer Letter on company letter head and signed by the employer or student's supervisor. The letter must include the following:

• Student Name
• Company Name and Address
• Worksite Address (if different from company address)
• Job Title
• Start Date and End Date
• Number of Hours Per Week
• Name and Contact Information for Work Supervisor
• Job description/job posting indicating the job duties

To maintain your CPT authorization, you must stay enrolled full-time and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 as a graduate student.

To begin the CPT process, please fill this form out: Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Please note:
CPT must be approved by a Designated School Official (DSO) and entered into SEVIS. You may only start training after receiving a new Form I-20 with CPT authorization on page 2.

 
CPT Applications

• Applications are specific to term and employer
• If employment changes OR if a student starts a new program of study a new request is required (Submitting a request for one term does not automatically carry over to the next term even if some requests have already been applied, approved, or issued)
• Please make sure to submit the proper application and/or renewal for each term. It is a student’s responsibility to keep track of employment details and update their DSO.

Changes to your Job

You must complete a new application at least 2 weeks before you:

• Change your employer
• Change your position at the same employer
• Switch to part-time or full-time employment

• If you lose your job, decide to quit, or otherwise stop working before the CPT end date written on your I20, you must request to cancel your CPT.
• If you stop working on the day written on your I20, you do not need to do anything.  Your authorization will automatically end.
• To request cancellation or removal of CPT from your I-20, please send an email to iss@cumberland.edu

Health Insurance

Cumberland University does not provide health insurance plans for international students.

While U.S. government regulations do not require F-1 students to carry health insurance, having coverage isstrongly recommended. Medical care in the United States can be very expensive, and health insurance helps protect you from unexpected costs.

Students who wish to have health insurance should arrange coverage independently. For informational purposes only, one option students sometimes explore is International Student Insurance, which lists available plans.
 

For additional guidance on why health insurance is important in the U.S. and how it works, we also recommend watching this short video: https://vimeo.com/72268541

Making Payments

The most convenient method of making payment(s) is submitting an electronic payment online via the Student First Portal.


CLICK HERE to Login to Student First >>


Online payment can be made by e-check from a U.S. Checking account or by Credit or Debit cards – Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. Students may also pay by checks drawn on U.S. banks and money orders in U.S. dollars by mail or pay in person by cash, check or debit/credit card.

Please mail payments to:

Cumberland University
Attn: Accounts Receivable
One Cumberland Square
Lebanon, TN 37087

All other questions related to billing or payments can be directed to studentbilling@cumberland.edu
 

Graduate programs offered in the executive format require in-person attendance at one weekend residency each semester, held on campus.

Residency classes take place on Friday and Saturday of the assigned residency weekend and are taught by the professor of record. Attendance is mandatoryand is an academic and immigration requirement.

Residency Requirements

• Each residency consists of 16 hours of in-seat coursework per semester. This requirement supports both academic progress and SEVIS compliance for students in F-1 status.
• Students may complete a make-up residency only once during their program. Failure to meet residency requirements in future semesters may place a student’s SEVIS record at risk of termination.
• Punctual attendance is required. Students must arrive on time and remain on campus for the full residency schedule.
• A government-issued photo ID is required for check-in.
• Students will receive a personalized QR code before each day of residency. This code is required to confirm attendance. Registration is required for both Friday and Saturday.
• Students are expected to remain on campus during residency hours. Scheduled breaks and lunch periods are included in the residency schedule.

On-Site Support

Representatives from the International Student Services (ISS) Office will be available during residency to answer general questions. Staff from the Business Office (Student Billing) will also be present to accept payments.

Once a student has been admitted into the University and official transcript(s) have been received from the previous University, a student can submit a petition to transfer credit. Transcripts are considered official when they are sent directly to Cumberland University from the issuing institution.

Please note Cumberland University’s policy:

• A maximum of (6) credit hours can be accepted of completed coursework from another institution
• Approved transfer courses must have a grade of “B” or better
• Transfer courses have to be relevant to courses that are part of the student’s graduate program at Cumberland University
• Transfer credits from a previously completed degree will not be approved
• All transfer courses are determined by the Dean or Program Director and Registrar's Office

We request that students allow at least five business days for transfer requests to be processed. If interested, please complete the Transfer Credit Review Form.