Cornell University meets the full demonstrated financial need for all admitted students who are United States citizens and eligible non-citizens. Eligible non-citizens include permanent residents, refugees and asylees, and undocumented students.

Undocumented Undergraduate Applicant Initiative

As of fall 2021, all current and future enrolled undergraduate students who attended and graduated from a U.S. high school without U.S. citizenship, residency, or visa status are eligible for a Cornell financial aid package that matches their demonstrated financial need. All applicants attending and expecting to graduate from a U.S. high school despite lacking citizenship, residency, or visa status will be evaluated as part of Cornell’s need-blind admission review alongside their U.S. peers.

Eligible Non-Citizen Documentation Requirements:

Eligible non-citizens must provide documentation of permanent residency or citizenship status. Original documents must be provided to our office for review. Acceptable forms of documentation include either your:

• Resident Alien Card (I-551)
• Arrival/Departure Record (I-94) with all endorsements and temporary I-155 stamp that has not expired and I-797 (Notice of Action) showing that you have applied for permanent residency

When applicable, documentation will be sent to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for review and determination of eligibility for federal student aid.

If the Social Security Administration (SSA) does not have a record of your current citizenship status, you may be required to verify your status when you apply for financial aid. We will include details regarding how to resolve this on Student Center and in an email notification. If you are unable to present your citizenship documentation to our office in person, please complete the Citizenship Affidavit, have it notarized, and return it with a copy of your citizenship documentation. If you are an eligible non-citizen, you must also submit a correction to your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to indicate that you are an eligible non-citizen, and  provide your Alien Registration Number.

Important Information for students with pending U.S. permanent residency:

Prospective Students/Incoming New Students

Deadline for documentation:

• Must document permanent residency by the admission deposit deadline. 

If you miss the deadline:

• If granted permanent residency later in the academic year, you will be considered for William D. Ford Loan and Federal Pell Grant only. Be sure to submit a complete continuing student financial aid application and apply for full financial aid for the following academic year.

Continuing Students

Deadline for documentation:

• Must present original documentation of permanent residency before the start of the semester to our office.

If you miss the deadline:

• If documentation of permanent residency is provided before the start of the fall semester, then you will be considered for Cornell and federal aid funding for the academic year. 
• If documentation of permanent residency comes in after the start of fall semester but before the beginning of the spring semester, you will be considered for the William D. Ford loan and Federal Pell Grant for the fall semester, and you will be reviewed for eligibility for all sources of aid for the spring semester.
• If documentation of permanent residency comes in after the start of the spring semester, you will be considered for the William D. Ford Loan and Federal Pell Grant only. You can submit a complete continuing student financial aid application and apply for full financial aid during the following academic year.