Prospective U.S. Students or First-Time Aid Applicants

Starting your financial aid application early is a small step that can make a big difference. With our dedicated Financial Aid team by your side, we aim to make this journey straightforward and stress-free. Let’s get started.

How to Apply

Cornell’s undergraduate admission process for U.S. students is need-blind, meaning interest in or need for financial aid is not amongst the many factors considered when making admission decisions.

*U.S. students include U.S. citizens, eligible non-citizens such as refugees or asylees, and undocumented students who attended and graduated from a U.S. high school, with or without DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) status.

  1. Complete the CSS Profile (all students)—the 2024–25 application opens October 1, 2023.
  2. Review your preliminary Cornell Aid Estimate
    Cornell will use your CSS Profile Application to estimate your cost of attendance, family contribution, financial need, and financial aid for the upcoming year.
    • Estimated offers will be available shortly after admission decisions are released, if you successfully submitted your CSS Profile by the priority date.
    • Your estimated aid offer is for informational purposes only.
    • Official aid offers will be released in the Spring (tentatively, early-April), if you successfully submit your FAFSA by the priority date.
  3. Complete the FAFSA (U.S. citizens and eligible noncitizens only)—the 2024–25 application opens December, 2023.
    • Getting Started and How Federal Aid Works
    • Search for "Cornell University" or use code 002711 when prompted
    • Transfer your IRS tax information securely into your FAFSA when prompted
    • If you are a New York resident: complete the NYS aid application when prompted—search for "Cornell University" or use codes 0174 for NYS contract colleges or 0175 for endowed colleges
    • If you are an eligible noncitizen: learn more about aid opportunities from the U.S. Government and New York State
  4. Application Review
    After receiving your aid application(s), Cornell may request additional forms or documentation if required or to clarify information on your application(s).
    • Requests are initiated by Cornell, via the College Board's Institutional Documentation Service (IDOC).
      • If you receive a request, please log into your IDOC Student Dashboard and upload signed copies of requested documents as soon as possible
      • Please avoid uploading documents that have not been requested - unnecessary submissions may slow application review.
      • If you do not receive a request for additional documentation - no additional action is needed.
    • Have questions about documentation requirements? We're here to help! Please review the IDOC FAQ for answers to common questions about submitting requested documents or contact us via email at finaid@cornell.edu to expedite your inquiry (include your name and student ID number).
  5. Review your official Cornell Aid Offer
    Official aid offers will be released in the Spring (tentatively, early-April), if you successfully submit your CSS Profile and FAFSA applications by the priority dates.
    • For more information about how Cornell determines eligibility for aid, please see Financial Aid Eligibility.
    • If your financial circumstances have changed, please use the appropriate appeal process, after receiving your initial aid offer.
    • Have questions about your aid offer? We're here to help! Please contact us via email at finaid@cornell.edu to request an appointment with a Cornell Financial Aid Counselor.

Try Cornell’s Financial Aid Calculators

Access the Calculators


Financial Aid Application Priority Dates

Please complete your financial aid applications by the applicable date and respond to all requests for documentation promptly to ensure your preliminary Cornell Aid Estimate and official Cornell Aid Offers are available as soon as possible, and to ensure you have the cost and aid information you need prior to your admissions deposit deadline.

For applicants starting in Fall 2024:

  • Complete the 2024–25 CSS Profile as soon as possible (applications open October 1, 2023), but no later than...
    • Early Decision: November 15, 2023
    • Regular Decision: February 15, 2024
    • Transfer: March 15, 2024
  • Complete the 2024–25 FAFSA as soon as possible (applications open December 2023), but no later than...
    • Early Decision: February 15, 2024
    • Regular Decision: February 15, 2024
    • Transfer: March 15, 2023

Important U.S. Tax Information for Admitted U.S. Students

The Internal Revenue Service classifies grant or scholarship aid greater than tuition and mandatory fees as taxable income. If your annual aid offer includes grant and scholarship aid greater than tuition and mandatory fees, you will receive a 1098-T form each year for use in preparing your tax return. Cornell cannot provide individual tax advice; please contact your personal tax advisor with any questions or concerns.