Early Financial Aid Estimates for Recruited Athletes

The Office of Financial Aid and Student Employment provides early financial aid estimates to recruited athletes upon request by Cornell Athletics.

If you intend to apply for need-based Cornell financial aid in the 2026-27 academic year (applications open in October 2025), and Cornell Athletics has requested an early financial aid estimate for you, please complete the following requirements:

The Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) is a federal law designed to protect the privacy of a student’s education records. All schools receiving funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education, including Cornell University, must comply with FERPA. FERPA generally prohibits schools from releasing education records or certain information contained in such records, such as your grades, billing and payment records, financial aid awards, and other student record information, to third parties.

Veterans can apply for Federal Student Aid and Cornell institutional grant aid in conjunction with VA benefits. Seeing a complete picture of aid options helps students make an informed decision on how to best utilize VA benefits as part of college financing.

The U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires Cornell University to withhold 14% of grant, scholarship, or fellowship aid in excess of qualified tuition and fees for students, researchers, or grantees who are temporarily present in the United States with an “F,” “J,” “M,” or “Q” visa unless, eligible for an exemption or lower tax rate under a current tax treaty.

As a student you have the right to:

  • know what financial assistance is available to you, including all federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs.
  • know the deadlines for submitting applications for applicable financial aid programs and the process required.
  • know how your financial need is determined, including how cost of attendance budgets are developed.
  • know what resources are considered in the calculation of your financial need, and how much of your need as determined by Cornell University has been met.
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In some instances, usually for the last term of enrollment, students may wish to explore with their College the option of enrolling for fewer than 12 credits. In addition to academic considerations, enrolling for fewer than 12 credits could result in a prorated tuition charge.

The prorated, per credit tuition charge is calculated by dividing the semester tuition amount by 12.

Policy for Undergraduate Financial Aid Applicants

The New York State Education Department regulations regarding eligibility to receive Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) and all other New York State Scholarships require that students be in good academic standing. To maintain good academic standing a student receiving a general or academic performance award must: (1) pursue the program of study in which he or she is enrolled, and (2) make satisfactory academic progress toward the completion of his or her program's requirements.

Policy Statement

Cornell University, as a participant in federal loan programs, is required to have a code of conduct applicable to the institution’s officers, employees, and agents. The code of conduct requirements are set forth in the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) signed into law on August 14, 2008. The Code of Conduct Related to Student Loan Activities is a requirement specific to certain transactions and activities related to financial aid matters.

To be eligible for financial aid, students must meet minimum enrollment requirements.  A change of enrollment status at any point during a term could result in a revision of the financial aid award.  As the policies vary from college to college, students need to work closely with their college when considering taking a leave of absence or withdrawing from the university.

Verification is a process used to confirm the information you reported to the U.S. Department of Education on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. In most cases, the U.S. Department of Education requests verification—Cornell facilitates the process and will request documentation required by federal student aid program rules. If any discrepancies or inconsistencies are noted, Cornell will update your FAFSA to ensure your eligibility for federal student aid funds has been calculated accurately.

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