Cornell University Financial Aid Overview
Cornell's founding principles - “to do the greatest good” and “… any person … any study” - underpin Cornell University’s commitments to undergraduate financial aid. Cornell students come from culturally, geographically, and socio-economically diverse backgrounds and their financial aid programs are designed to ensure Cornell is accessible to all at an affordable cost.
Cornell is committed to awarding aid based only on demonstrated financial need. Cornell meets 100 percent of demonstrated financial need for all eligible undergraduates with annual aid offers that include Cornell grants and endowed scholarships, Pell grants and NY State grants (when eligible), work-study, and zero or low student loans, depending on total family income.
Annual aid offers are tailored to each student’s unique financial circumstances. Most families with total annual income up to $75,000 and typical assets will not be expected to make either a student or a parent contribution toward the cost of a Cornell University education and a typical aid offer will include grant aid and work-study only – no student loans.
Because family situations can often change significantly from year to year, Cornell reassesses a student's estimated cost of attendance, expected family contribution, and eligibility for aid each year.
Policy on Outside Funding
When you receive outside scholarship funding or other resources intended to cover your annual cost of attendance, your financial aid offer may change. Cornell allows students to receive the maximum benefit possible from outside scholarships:
- Outside scholarships typically reduce self-help aid (student loans or work-study) dollar-for-dollar until no self-help aid remains.
- In rare circumstances, Cornell may be required to reduce federal, state, or other grants and scholarships to comply with applicable rules/regulations.
Reporting scholarship checks and grants:
If you are expecting to receive an outside scholarship from an external organization, please upload a copy of your scholarship award letter to the Secure Document Upload portal.
Outside scholarship organizations should mail scholarship checks to:
Cornell University - Office of Financial Aid and Student Employment
P.O. Box 752
Ithaca, NY 14851-0752
Policy on Health Insurance
Cornell requires all students to have health insurance. All Cornell students must either enroll in the Student Health Plan (SHP) or, waive coverage by documenting alternate health insurance coverage which meets university requirements. All students are automatically enrolled in the SHP plan and billed for the cost, unless eligible to waive coverage.
Your estimated cost of attendance includes the cost of a mandatory health fee but does not include the cost of student health insurance. Need-based grant or scholarship aid is not available for these costs.
You may request student loan funding to cover the cost of SHP.
Policy on Travel Allowance
A travel allowance is determined by Cornell and included in your estimated cost of attendance. Travel allowances vary regionally, depending on your permanent home address. This allowance is an estimate, and your actual travel expenses may differ.
You may request student loan funding to cover additional costs, if actual costs exceed your assigned travel allowance.
Policy on Student Contribution
Cornell’s Office of Financial Aid and Student Employment uses your annual CSS Profile application and supporting documentation to determine your expected family contribution (EFC).
Most families with total annual income up to $75,000 and typical assets will receive aid offers that include grant aid and work-study only—no student loans. A typical aid offer will include:
- $0 expected student and parent contributions (maximizes grant/scholarship aid)
- $3,000 work-study award* (and abundant work-study job opportunities)
- $0 student loans*
*work-study and student loans are both forms of “self-help” aid—students may choose to borrow in lieu of using work-study or earn work-study in lieu of student loans.
Requirements Associated with Maintaining this Award
All students seeking Cornell grant or scholarship aid must complete the CSS Profile annually. All eligible U.S. students must also complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually. All eligible New York State residents must also apply for NYS Tuition Assistance (TAP).
The Office of Financial Aid and Student Employment reviews your application(s) and documentation annually to confirm your expected family contribution, demonstrated need and eligibility for financial aid.
In future years, if your family’s total annual income exceeds $75,000 or significant assets are acquired, your Cornell grant or scholarship aid may be reduced.
All Cornell aid recipients must maintain satisfactory academic progress.
Cornell Academic Materials Program (CAMP)
The Cornell Academic Materials Program is a university-wide program that provides undergraduate students taking undergraduate courses at Cornell with access to their required textbooks and course-packs for a single flat-rate cost, $275 per semester. Materials in this program are provided in a digital format within Canvas and become available for students to access no later than the first day of classes.
All students are automatically enrolled in the CAMP program and the cost is included in your estimated cost of attendance. You may opt out of the CAMP program – if you choose to opt out, your estimated cost of attendance will not change.
You may request student loan funding to cover additional costs, if actual costs exceed your assigned books and course materials allowance.
Note: Your estimated cost of attendance for financial aid only includes mandatory fees charged to all students. Fees not charged to all students are excluded – for example, optional course fees, gym memberships, premium on-campus or off-campus housing options, and the cost of the Cornell Student Health Insurance Plan (SHP). Need-based grant or scholarship aid is not available for these costs.
