Experience Cornell Work-Study Waiver Request

Students who participate in qualifying Experience Cornell opportunities during the summer semester may be eligible for a one-time waiver of their annual work expectation (a.k.a. work-study) — up to $1,500 — for the academic year immediately following the qualifying experience.

Qualifying Summer Experience Cornell Opportunities

Waivers are intended for undergraduate students who are interested in valuable summer educational opportunities that may be minimally paid. Qualifying opportunities include (but are not limited to): unpaid or low-paid internships, research opportunities, public or community service, fellowship programs, or credit-bearing coursework applicable to your degree. 

Eligible opportunities must include a minimum of 100 hours of engagement or reasonable equivalent if participating in credit-bearing coursework. Example: three credits of experiential learning, individual study, studio, or practicum coursework involves approximately 120 hours of total engagement.

Eligible Students

This opportunity is closed for the 2023–24 academic year — waiver requests will re-open for the 2024–25 academic year in March 2024.

To be eligible for a waiver, you must:

  • be enrolled as a first-, second-, or third-year undergraduate in the current academic year.
  • submit a complete waiver application prior to the application deadline.
  • participate in an eligible Experience Cornell opportunity in the summer semester immediately following a request for a waiver.
  • be an institutional aid recipient with a non-zero accepted work-study award* for the 2024–25 academic year.

*Students who receive waivers or whose work-study offer is reduced via funding support from another university program or external source may not be eligible.

Please complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as early as possible at studentaid.gov (application opens in December 2023) prior to requesting a waiver — eligibility cannot be determined prior to receiving your 2024–25 Cornell Aid Offer in Student Center for the upcoming academic year.