DACA, Undocumented Applicants, and Green Card Applicants
Cornell will offer institutional financial aid to admitted and currently enrolled undergraduate international students who have been long-term Green Card applicants but have not yet achieved Legal Permanent Resident (Green Card) status. Undergraduate students who are determined to have satisfied Cornell's documentation requirements will be eligible for need-blind admissions and need-based financial aid like any U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
Additionally, undergraduate students who hold DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival) status granted by the federal government and students who have been long-term undocumented individuals will be considered domestic students by Cornell University for purposes of admissions and financial aid, and thus are eligible for need-blind admissions and need-based institutional financial aid.
The Office of Financial Aid and Student Employment has staff available to assist applicants with DACA status and with a pending Green Card application through the financial aid process.
See our requirements below and please contact us if you have any questions.
Deadlines:
Spring Transfer 2021: October 15, 2020
Early Decision 2021-22: November 21, 2020
Regular Decision 2021-22: February 15, 2021
Fall Transfer 2021: March 15, 2021
Continuing Students: March 1, 2021
International applicants should refer to these deadlines.
Green Card Applicants:
Cornell will offer institutional financial aid to admitted and currently enrolled undergraduate international students who have been long-term Green Card applicants but have not yet achieved Legal Permanent Resident (Green Card) status. Undergraduate students who are determined to have satisfied Cornell's documentation requirements will be eligible for need-blind admissions and need-based financial aid like any U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
As part of the aid application process, students will be asked to document the following:
- Born on or after June 16, 1981;
- Came to the United States before reaching 16th birthday;
- Continuously resided in the U.S. since June 15, 2009 up to the present time;
- Currently in school, has graduated high school, or obtained a general education certificate (GED);
- Filed an I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status by no later than June 15, 2009;
- Meets financial aid application requirements.
If you meet the above criteria, please contact the Financial Aid office to discuss the financial aid application process.
607-255-5145; finaid@cornell.edu
Long-term Undocumented Applicants:
Cornell will offer institutional financial aid to admitted and currently enrolled Cornell undergraduates who have been long-term undocumented students and who meet the following criteria:
- Born on or after June 16, 1981;
- Came to the United States before reaching 16th birthday;
- Continuously resided in the U.S. since June 15, 2009 up to the present time;
- Currently in school, has graduated high school, or obtained a general education certificate (GED);
- Meets financial aid application requirements.
Undergraduate students who are determined to have met Cornell's requirements will be eligible for need-blind admissions and, if admitted, need-based financial aid meeting full demonstrated need.
If you meet the above criteria, please contact the Financial Aid office to discuss the financial aid application process.
607-255-5145; finaid@cornell.edu
Undocumented applicants residing in the U.S. without DACA status and who do not meet the above criteria should follow the steps to apply for financial aid as an International Student.
Application Requirements for students with DACA Status:
Below are the financial aid application requirements if you currently have DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) status. Per IRS guidelines, we require parental tax information if your parent's earnings are greater than the minimum filing threshold.
Click each step below to see detailed instructions.
Why is our deadline important?
We want you to have all the information you need before making the choice to attend Cornell. Applying for aid by the financial aid deadline will ensure that your financial aid award is available when you receive your admissions decision. If you do not apply by our stated deadline, your award may be delayed.
Federal Withholding Tax
Undocumented students (with and without DACA status) are to be treated, for tax purposes, as any other foreign national student. The Internal Revenue Service classifies grant aid in excess of tuition and mandatory fees as taxable income and requires Cornell to withhold 14% in taxes if you are a non-resident alien and not eligible for exemption from taxes under a tax treaty. If you are deemed to be a "resident alien" based on the amount of time you have been present within the U.S., or if you are from a treaty country that includes a treaty article that would grant an exemption from tax withholding, Cornell would not be required to withhold 14% of excess aid.
In order to evaluate either option for non-withholding, the student will need to complete a Foreign National Questionnaire. Access to the on-line Questionnaire can be gained by emailing cu_fnis@cornell.edu requesting a user name and password.
Do you have further questions?
My Undocumented Life provides resources about scholarships for undocumented residents.