Undergraduate students

There are a few reasons that you may need to request additional financial aid. Most of the time additional aid is awarded in the form of a loan. If you have any questions, please call or visit to speak with one of our staff members.

• If you were unable to earn and save your standard Student Contribution over the summer as expected, you may request a loan to replace this amount through the Undergraduate Student Appeal Form.
• If you have exceptional expenses not already included in Cornell’s cost of attendance, we may be able to provide additional funding through the Undergraduate Student Appeal Form. 
• If you are in need of an additional funding options beyond the Student Contribution replacement and Cost of Attendance appeal, please let us know by emailing or calling our office. We will review your account and notify you of any additional loans available to you. Be aware that your eligibility for additional loans is based on your federal financial aid eligibility, which is determined by the FAFSA.
• If your family circumstances change, see information about our Appeal Process.

Cost of Attendance Specifics

You can find your estimated cost of attendance in your financial aid offer summary on Student Center. Below are some educational costs that are allowable through a budget increase (Step 2 on the Undergraduate Student Appeal Form).

Course-Related

• Architecture fees, studio fees, lab fees, etc.
• Required physical education class fees
• Computer: loan funding up to $1,500 for one device (e.g. computer, tablet); warranty and necessary software can be included. Students are limited to 1 request for a computer purchase every two years; subsequent requests and special circumstances will be reviewed by the Financial Aid Office. Funds are disbursed to your bursar account and any outstanding charges are paid before a refund can be issued.

Required documentation:

• Documentation of your expense if it's not charged on your bursar account.
• Computer: invoice or documentation showing an estimate of cost OR receipt showing amount paid.

Health

• Cost of the student health plan less the health fee, dental, and vision plans 
• Medical expenses (not covered by insurance)

Required documentation:

• We can see expenses charged on your bursar account - you don't need to provide any documentation for these expenses.
• Bill from doctor and/or provider of services and documentation from insurance company of what will be covered by insurance.
• Receipts or bills for medication, optical, or dental expenses; the bill must indicate amount not covered by insurance.

Housing

• Townhouse, single room, or super-single room on campus
• Off-campus housing costs solely in the student's name (9 months only): rent, heat/electric, water/sewer, internet

Required documentation:

• We can see expenses charged on your bursar account - you don't need to provide any documentation for these expenses.
• Copy of lease or copies of canceled rent checks.
• Copies of utility bills specifying your portion (if claiming this expense).

Child Care

• Child care (you must be the custodial parent of a dependent child)

Special circumstances should be discussed with a financial aid counselor.

Items not eligible

The following items are NOT eligible. These items should be included as part of your personal/miscellaneous budget or are considered non-essential.

• laundry money
• dining administrative fee (included in the budget)
• City Bucks, Big Red Bucks
• housing security deposits
• summer housing
• Commencement housing
• fraternity/sorority expenses
• athletic sports equipment and related expenses
• travel expenses
• Kaplan, Princeton Review, or other test prep courses
• cable/satellite TV expenses
• cell phone expenses
• data usage and Net print fees
• CU ID card replacement
• parking fines and vehicle-related expenses
• library fines
• Graduate school applications (students from low-income families can apply for fee waivers)
• job interview costs (travel, clothing, etc.)

Graduate Students

Graduate students may be eligible for additional loan if they have exceptional expenses not already included in their estimated cost of attendance. Complete the Graduate Student Budget Increase Form.