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Applying for Financial Aid

Financial aid from our office is available to undergraduate students who are citizens of the US, Canada, and Mexico.  If you are a Permanent US Resident, you are also eligible to be considered for financial aid.  If you are from a country not listed above, please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office (UAO) for information about financial aid for international students.

In thinking about financial aid, please remember two important facts:

  1. Cornell has a need-blind admissions policy, which means that we review your application without considering whether you've applied for aid;
  2. Cornell awards all financial aid on the basis of demonstrated financial need.



The following items must be submitted in order for your financial aid application to be considered complete.

****Please pay careful attention to the deadlines.****

Complete the Freshman or Transfer Financial Aid Application
Tell us you want to apply for aid by completing and mailing the Cornell Freshman Financial Aid Application or the Cornell Transfer Financial Aid Application.

CSS PROFILE
Register for the CSS PROFILE by visiting their web site at www.collegeboard.com. This is an online application through the College Board. Click on CSS/PROFILE under "Pay for College" on the student's home page. The PROFILE number for Cornell is 2098.

Additional instructions are available to assist Canadian students in better completing the CSS PROFILE application.

Income Tax Returns
Send us signed copies of your parents' most recent federal or foreign income tax returns. Be sure to include all schedules and W-2 forms. If your parents do not file income tax returns please contact our office.

Send us signed copies of your most recent federal or foreign income tax return. Be sure to include all schedules and W-2 forms. If you do not file income tax returns please contact our office.

Your financial aid application will not be considered complete until we have complete tax data for you and your parents.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov or pick up a copy at your high school guidance office. The Title IV Institution Code for Cornell University is 002711.

Other Requirements

Selective Service
Male US citizens and Permanent Residents aged 18-25 are required to register with Selective Service.

Eligible Non-Citizen Documentation
If you are applying as an eligible non-citizen, you need to submit a copy of your Alien Registration Receipt Card or a copy of the Arrival-Departure record (I-94) from the US Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS).  If your application for US permanent-resident status is pending, you must be able to document approval by your admission deposit date (May 1 regular decision, January 7 early decision) to be considered for aid for the 2008-2009 academic year. If you are unsure if you are an eligible non-citizen please visit the FAFSA web site.

Canadian and Mexican Citizenship Documentation
If you are applying as a Canadian or Mexican citizen, you need to submit documentation of your citizenship.

Noncustodial Parent PROFILE
If your parents are divorced, separated, or were never married your noncustodial parent is required to complete the Noncustodial PROFILE. The application is available online through the College Board. Following the completion of the CSS PROFILE registration process, the College Board will provide you with instructions and information to pass on to the noncustodial parent. The message will include:

  • A link to the Noncustodial PROFILE web site where the noncustodial parent will be required to log in;
  • A pre-assigned login and password that must be used by the noncustodial parent the first time he or she accesses the site;
  • A message clarifying that the noncustodial parent will be required to change the pre-assigned password to access the application.
Should the noncustodial parent have any problems with the application, extensive online help is available from College Board.

Business/Farm Supplement
If your parents own a business or farm, they will complete the Business/Farm Supplement.  This form will be sent to you with the PROFILE application or you can download it from our Forms page.