Graduate Students
The Office of Financial Aid and Student Employment processes Graduate Student loans. Additional financial information is provided by the Graduate School in their financial support section.
If you are going to attend one of the professional schools (Johnson, Law or Vet), please contact their financial aid office directly to discuss your options.
This page provides information about applying for federal and private loans, the estimated cost of attendance, and applying for an additional loan (cost of attendance appeal). Click on the headings below to review the information.
Applying For Loans
Academic Year Federal Loans
We will use your FAFSA application to evaluate your eligibility for the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan. Most graduate borrowers are limited to $20,500 per year but this amount may be impacted if you receive funding from your field or department. If you need additional funding through the Graduate PLUS Loan, please submit the Graduate PLUS Federal Loan Request Form.
To apply for the upcoming academic year:
- Complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the upcoming academic year
- If interested in a Graduate PLUS Loan, complete and submit a Graduate PLUS Federal Loan Request Form
- Review our Loan Information for Graduate Students
Summer Federal Loans (only if enrolled in 6 or more credits)
You may apply for and receive graduate federal loans if you will be enrolled in six (6) or more credits over the summer.
To apply for summer graduate federal loans:
- Complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- If interested in a Graduate PLUS Loan, complete and submit a Graduate PLUS Federal Loan Request Form
- Review our Loan Information for Graduate Students
Private Student Loans
If you are not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States or are ineligible for federal student loans, you may apply for a student educational loan through an alternative/private lender.
Private lenders will vary on the interest rate, how much can be borrowed, and repayment terms. Research the different options to see which you prefer and apply directly through that lender.
****The selection of a private lender is the students’ choice. Many vendors offer educational loans. Any list of vendors provided is a partial listing of the largest commercial lenders compiled based on services offered to students, interest rates, and past loans taken out by students. The Graduate School receives no compensation or items of value from these vendors. Students should consult with lenders regarding loan terms, particularly whether or not lenders sell loans and if terms or conditions beneficial to the borrower travel with the loans that are sold.
Information on Loan Acceptance, Disbursement, and Repayment
Please review the loan information for graduate students page.
Cost of Attendance
2021-22 Estimated Cost of Attendance
We create an estimated cost of attendance for a student to attend Cornell University Graduate School for one academic year. Below is the estimated cost of attendance for 2021-22. To find details on which column is applicable to you, find your field.
| 2021-22 | Endowed Colleges (professional degrees**) | Professional degree** programs in NYC | Contract Colleges (professional degrees**) | Endowed Colleges (research degrees***) | Contract College (research degrees***) |
| Tuition | $60,286 | *Depends on degree program | $39,466 | $29,500 | $20,800 |
| Student Activity Fee | $86 | $86 | $86 | $86 | $86 |
| Health Insurance Fee | $420 | Health Fee is only charged if enrolled on Ithaca Campus | $420 | $420 | $420 |
| Housing Allowance (on- or off-campus) | $10,800 | $16,800 | $10,800 | $10,800 | $10,800 |
| Dining Allowance (on- or off-campus) | $6,434 | $6,570 | $6,434 | $6,434 | $6,434 |
| Books & Supplies | $1,386 | $1,386 | $1,386 | $1,386 | $1,386 |
| Transportation | $1,700 | $1,100 | $1,700 | $1,700 | $1,700 |
| Personal & Miscellaneous | $5,432 | $5,432 | $5,432 | $5,432 | $5,432 |
| TOTAL | $86,544 | *Depends on degree program | $65,724 | $55,758 | $47,058 |
*In absentia tuition charge (all colleges): $400; Current tuition rates can be viewed on the Office of the Bursar's Tuition Rates and Fees webpage.
**Professional degrees (MAT, MFS, MHA, MILR, MLA, MMH, MRP, and MPS)
***Research degrees (M.A., M.S., M.S./Ph.D., Ph.D.) and non-degree students
Summer 2020 Estimated Cost of Attendance
We create an estimated cost of attendance for a student to attend a Cornell University Graduate School Summer program. Below is the estimated cost of attendance for Summer 2020.
| Summer 2020 | Cornell Executive Master of Human Resource Management Class of 2021 | Cornell Executive Master of Human Resource Management Class of 2020 | Executive Master of Health Administration May 2020 cohort | Executive Master of Health Administration May 2021 cohort | Students enrolled in the Summer Graduate-Level Research Course | Students enrolled per credit through the School of Continuing Education and Summer Sessions |
| Tuition | $5,655 | $16,375 | $14,812 | $14,294 | N/A | Per credit, check with Continuing Education |
| Student Activity Fee | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Health Insurance Fee | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | Check with Student Health |
| Housing Allowance (on- or off-campus) | $4,214 | $4,214 | $4,214 | $4,214 | $4,214 | $4,214 |
| Dining Allowance (on- or off-campus) | $2,347 | $2,347 | $2,347 | $2,347 | $2,347 | $2,347 |
| Books & Supplies | $444 | $444 | $444 | $444 | $444 | $444 |
| Personal & Miscellaneous | $2,340 | $2,340 | $2,340 | $2,340 | $2,340 | $2,340 |
| TOTAL | $15,000 | $25,720 | $24,157 | $23,639 | $9,345 | Tuition + $9,345 Cost of Living |
Cost of Attendance Appeal
You may find that you need additional loan due to your actual cost of attendance being greater than the estimated cost of attendance. Complete and submit the Graduate Student Budget Increase Application.