Financial Aid
Cornell University provides several different forms of financial assistance based upon need, but we follow a need-blind admissions policy. When the admissions committees evaluates your application, we consider your intellectual ability, activities in your school or community, fit with the ILR School, and a number of other factors, but we do not know whether you have applied for aid and do not consider your ability to afford Cornell when making decisions.
While Cornell does not award scholarships based upon athletic or academic merit, Cornell Grants are available to students with financial need, as determined by the Office of Financial Aid and Student Employment. This aid may come from the university endowment, the funds of an individual college, alumni, or a general university fund.
To apply for financial aid, you will need the following items:
- Cornell Freshman or Transfer Financial Aid Application, available from the Cornell Office of Financial Aid
- College Scholarship Service (CSS) Financial Aid PROFILE
- Copies of your and your parents' most recent federal income tax returns, including all schedules and W-2 forms
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Please pay particular attention to the submission deadlines.
The Cornell Commitment Office provides a limited number of students with scholarship programs that recognize achievement and can help finance your education. The ILR Admissions Selection Committee nominates students to be considered for these programs when applications are initially reviewed.