West campus in fall, with Cayuga Lake in the background.

Financial Aid

A World-Class, Ivy League Education Within Reach

Ezra Cornell’s founding vision — a university where “any person can find instruction in any study” — holds true today.

More students than ever are able to graduate from Cornell with little to no debt, and about half of all undergraduate students receive substantial financial aid in the form of Cornell grants — this is free money that does not need to be repaid.

After factoring in funding awarded through grants and work-study programs, the cost of a Cornell education may be less than you would expect. And, in many cases, families qualify for no or reduced loans, too.

We encourage you to explore all available aid options at Cornell. Our admissions and financial aid counselors are available to help you on your way to becoming part of the Big Red family.

Cards Section

Cost of Attendance

Financial Aid

Value of a Cornell Education

Application Timeline

Early Decision First-Year

  • November 15 | All Financial Aid application requirements due
  • Mid-December | Financial Aid notifications sent to admitted students
  • Early January | Deposit due to Admissions

Regular Decision First-Year

  • February 15 | All Financial Aid application requirements due
  • Early April | Financial Aid notifications sent to admitted applicants
  • May 1 | Deposit due to Admissions

Fall Transfer

  • March 15 | All Financial Aid application requirements due
  • By June 15 | Financial Aid notifications sent to admitted students
  • By July 1 | Deposit due to Admissions

International Applicants

  • November 1 | Early Decision applicants
  • January 2 | Regular Decision applicants
  • March 1 | Current International reapplication deadline
  • March 15 | Fall Transfer applicants

Current Students

  • October 1 |CSS Profile available (international and undocumented students)
  • December 1 |Winter Session financial aid application due
  • December |FAFSA available (U.S. and eligible non-citizen students only)
  • March 1 |Appropriate financial aid form(s) due for all continuing students
  • May 1 |Summer Session aid application due
  • May - August |Financial Aid decisions posted to Student Center
  • August 7 |Fall Bursar bill due