Carnegie Mellon University

Visiting/Non-Degree Student FAQs

The semester has already begun, but I want to take courses. Can I register as a non-degree student? 
Unfortunately, no: once the petition deadline has passed, you will not be able to register for courses. Faculty/Staff Non-Degree students must submit their petitions by the first day of classes of the semester in which they wish to enroll.

The semester has already begun, but I would like to audit a course. Is this possible?
Anyone wishing to sit in on a class must already be registered for said class. If you would like to audit a course, you must complete the Course Audit Approval (pdf) form. Tuition is charged for audited courses.

I've tried to register for a course, but there is a waitlist. How can I get into the course?
Non-degree students have the lowest priority in gaining enrollment in coursework. You should plan to remain on the waitlist and attend the course the first week to find out whether there is space. Departments must accommodate degree-seeking students first, so it may not be possible for you to enroll in your course of choice if there are space limitations. 

I'm unable to register myself for a course because of pre-requisites, but I have the knowledge necessary to be successful in the course. What should I do? 
Email the instructor to explain your interest and academic background and ask for permission to enroll. If the instructor emails back providing permission, forward that message to non-degree@andrew.cmu.edu and someone will register you for the course. 

Can I take graduate level coursework as a non-degree student?
It is ultimately up to the instructor to decide whether or not you are able to enroll in a course if there are restrictions. If you attempt to register for a graduate course and are unable, email the instructor to explain your interest and academic background and ask for permission to enroll. If the instructor emails back providing permission, forward that message to non-degree@andrew.cmu.edu and someone will register you or place you on the waitlist if space is not available. Keep in mind that you will have to pay taxes on tuition benefits for graduate coursework over a certain amount. 

I dropped my course(s) but the tuition charge is still on my account - what do I do? 
If you dropped the course(s) by the first drop deadline (to receive a tuition adjustment) then the charges should come off of your account. Contact non-degree@andrew.cmu.edu if this does not happen. If you dropped the coursework after that date, then you are responsible for the charges on your account. If there were extenuating circumstances behind your need to drop after the deadline, you may submit a Tuition Appeal Adjustment (pdf) form to request that a portion or all of your tuition be refunded/removed.

Tuition charges and university fees are showing on my student account. Aren't my staff benefits supposed to cover those? 
Make sure you have followed the appropriate process to request your tuition remission benefits. If you  have followed the process, but the remission still has not been applied to your student acount, reach out to the CMU Works Service Center

Transportation and technology fees are waived for faculty and staff. However, if you are registered for 19 or more units, you are responsible for paying the Student Activities fee even if you receive tuition remission. See the current listing of fees on the university fees webpage for exact amounts. 

The semester has already begun, but I want to take courses. Can I register as a VND student? 
Unfortunately, no: once the petition deadline has passed, you will not be able to register for courses during that semester. You may take courses during future semesters, however, provided you meet the petition deadlines and have not exceeded the three-semester limit for fall/spring courses.  

The semester has already begun, but I would like to audit a course. Is this possible?
Anyone wishing to sit in on a class must already be registered for said class. If you would like to audit a course, you must complete the Course Audit Approval (pdf) form. Tuition is charged for audited courses.

I'm unable to register myself for a course because of pre-requisites, but I have the knowledge necessary to be successful in the course. What should I do? 
Email the instructor to explain your interest and academic background and ask for permission to enroll. If the instructor emails back providing permission, forward that message to non-degree@andrew.cmu.edu and someone will register you for the course. 

I tried to register for my course but there is a waitlist. How can I get into the course? 
Visiting/non-degree students have the lowest priority in gaining enrollment in coursework. You should plan to remain on the waitlist and attend the course the first two weeks to find out whether there is space. Departments must accommodate degree-seeking students first, so it may not be possible for you to enroll in your course of choice if there are space limitations. 

Can I take graduate coursework as a visiting/non-degree student?
It is ultimately up to the instructor whether or not you are able to enroll in a course if there are restrictions. If you attempt to register for a course and are unable, email the instructor to explain your interest and academic background and ask for permission to enroll. If the instructor emails back providing permission, forward that message to non-degree@andrew.cmu.edu and someone will register you for the course or place you on the waitlist if space is not available. 

I am an international student - will Carnegie Mellon University sponsor my visa to study as a visiting student? 
Unfortunately, CMU is unable to provide visa documentation for VND students. International students who are already in the U.S. may be able to participate in the program, although we recommend that VND students have an immigration status that allows them to take classes at Carnegie Mellon. 

I’ve already applied or was planning to apply to Carnegie Mellon. Can I take coursework at CMU’s Pittsburgh campus in the meantime? Would that help me become a degree-seeking CMU student?
CMU undergraduate applicants for the current or upcoming academic year aren’t eligible to become visiting/non-degree students. If you’ve already applied this academic year or plan to apply for the next year, you wouldn’t be eligible for visiting/non-degree student status. If you’re interested in becoming a degree-seeking student at Carnegie Mellon, you must apply as a first-year or transfer student through the Common Application. Prior coursework taken at Carnegie Mellon doesn’t advantage students in this admission process.

I dropped my course(s) but the tuition charges are still on my account - what do I do? 
If you dropped the course(s) by the drop deadline (to receive tuition adjustment) then the charges should come off of your account. Contact non-degree@andrew.cmu.edu if this does not happen. If you dropped the coursework after the date, then you are responsible for the charges on your account. If there were extenuating circumstances behind your need to drop after the deadline, you can submit the Tuition Appeal Adjustment (pdf) form to request that a portion of your tuition be refunded/removed. 

I have completed a course and would like to order a transcript - what should I do?
As a visiting/non-degree student, you will receive course credit, which will be reflected on your official CMU transcript. Please note that all VND coursework, including graduate-level courses, are considered part of your undergraduate academic career and are reflected on the official transcript as such.

Transcripts may be ordered through Parchment via SIO. You can learn more about ordering transcripts on the transcripts webpage. 

How do I view my student account invoice and billing statements?
You can view your student account invoice by logging into Student Information Online (SIO) and selecting Student Account Invoices under the Finances tab.

The Student Accounts Office manages the student billing and payment process. Invoices are generated on the last day of each month. When an invoice is ready for viewing on Student Information Online (SIO), an email notification is sent to the student's Andrew email account. Students may view their most up-to-date student account balance and activity within SIO.

Questions about billing and payments should be directed to The HUB at thehub@andrew.cmu.edu

What is a Sponsored ID Card and how do I obtain one? 
As a VND student, you are eligible to receive a Sponsored ID Card if you have a current student record and you are eligible to enroll/currently enrolled for the semester in which you are applying for the card.

With this Sponsored ID Card, you will have access to campus athletic facilities, academic buildings, and tickets for athletic events, concerts, films and other activities, as well as university library borrowing privileges. You will not have free access to the city’s public transportation.

Sponsored ID Cards are obtained through The HUB. You can find steps for obtaining one on the Sponsored ID Card webpage.

What benefits am I eligible for as a VND student? 
You can find the benefits you're eligible for as a VND student in the Visiting Guest Student Guide (pdf).  Visiting/Non-Degree students are not entitled to receive any benefits or services that are not specifically enumerated in this document. 

The semester has already begun, but I want to take courses. Can I register as a VND student? 
Unfortunately, no: once the petition deadline has passed, you will not be able to register for courses during that semester. You may take courses during future semesters, however, provided you meet the petition deadlines.  

The semester has already begun, but I would like to audit a course. Is this possible?
Anyone wishing to sit in on a class must already be registered for said class. If you would like to audit a course, you must complete the Course Audit Approval (pdf) form. Tuition is charged for audited courses.

I'm a high schooler or minor (under 18) and I was unable to register myself for coursework in SIO. Why is that? 
As a high school/minor student, there are only certain courses in which  you are able to enroll. This is because Pennsylvania requires all instructors and teaching assistants to have PA Act-153 clearances in order for you to attend their courses.

You must contact the Non-Degree Advisor (non-degree@andrew.cmu.edu) to discuss your schedule. The Advisor will let you know what coursework is available to you that matches your interests and will enroll you in the course(s) you choose. 

I am an international student - will Carnegie Mellon University sponsor my visa to study as a visiting student? 
Unfortunately, CMU is unable to provide visa documentation for VND students. International students who are already in the U.S. may be able to participate in the program, although we recommend that VND students have an immigration status that allows them to take classes at Carnegie Mellon. 

I’ve already applied or was planning to apply to Carnegie Mellon. Can I take coursework at CMU’s Pittsburgh campus in the meantime? Would that help me become a degree-seeking CMU student?
CMU undergraduate applicants for the current or upcoming academic year aren’t eligible to become visiting/non-degree students. If you’ve already applied this academic year or plan to apply for the next year, you wouldn’t be eligible for visiting/non-degree student status. If you’re interested in becoming a degree-seeking student at Carnegie Mellon, you must apply as a first-year or transfer student through the Common Application. Prior coursework taken at Carnegie Mellon doesn’t advantage students in this admission process.

I dropped my course(s) but the tuition charges are still on my account - what do I do? 
If you dropped the course(s) by the drop deadline (to receive tuition adjustment) then the charges should come off of your account. Contact non-degree@andrew.cmu.edu if this does not happen. If you dropped the coursework after the date, then you are responsible for the charges on your account. If there were extenuating circumstances behind your need to drop after the deadline, you can submit the Tuition Appeal Adjustment (pdf) form to request that a portion of your tuition be refunded/removed. 

I have completed a course and would like to order a transcript - what should I do?
As a visiting/non-degree student, you will receive course credit, which will be reflected on your official CMU transcript. Please note that all VND coursework, including graduate-level courses, are considered part of your undergraduate academic career and are reflected on the official transcript as such.

Transcripts may be ordered through Parchment via SIO. You can learn more about ordering transcripts on the transcripts webpage. 

How do I view my student account invoice and billing statements?
You can view your student account invoice by logging into Student Information Online (SIO) and selecting Student Account Invoices under the Finances tab.

The Student Accounts Office manages the student billing and payment process. Invoices are generated on the last day of each month. When an invoice is ready for viewing on Student Information Online (SIO), an email notification is sent to the student's Andrew email account. Students may view their most up-to-date student account balance and activity within SIO.

Questions about billing and payments should be directed to The HUB at thehub@andrew.cmu.edu

What is a Sponsored ID Card and how do I obtain one? 
As a VND student, you are eligible to receive a Sponsored ID Card if you have a current student record and you are eligible to enroll/currently enrolled for the semester in which you are applying for the card.

With this Sponsored ID Card, you will have access to campus athletic facilities, academic buildings, and tickets for athletic events, concerts, films and other activities, as well as university library borrowing privileges. You will not have free access to the city’s public transportation.

Sponsored ID Cards are obtained through The HUB. You can find steps for obtaining one on the Sponsored ID Card webpage.

What benefits am I eligible for as a VND student? 
You can find the benefits you're eligible for as a VND student in the Visiting High School/Minor Student Guide (pdf).  Visiting/Non-Degree students are not entitled to receive any benefits or services that are not specifically enumerated in this document.