We know costs and financial aid are a very important part of your college decision. Cornell proudly provides financial aid offers that meet 100 percent of demonstrated financial need to all eligible undergraduate aid applicants. If you haven’t yet, please take a few moments to learn more about Cornell’s Commitment to Access and Affordability.
To view your Cornell Financial aid offer, log into Student Center with your admissions login.
Student Center
Note: students admitted in Cornell's Early Decision round receive a preliminary financial aid estimate. Aid estimates include an expected family contribution for the upcoming academic year and standard estimated costs for the current academic year. All costs are subject to change. Official aid offers, including updated estimated costs and grant or scholarship aid, will be available in the spring after Cornell's Board of Trustees approves tuition rates for the upcoming academic year.
Your financial aid offer includes three important sections:
Estimated Cost of Attendance (COA) — Cornell’s estimated cost of attendance includes amounts a typical full-time undergraduate student may expect for a traditional academic year (Fall and Spring), before financial aid. The estimated cost of attendance is used to determine your eligibility for need-based grant and scholarship aid. Your actual costs to attend may vary.
Expected Family Contribution (EFC) — Your Cornell expected family contribution is an estimate of your family’s “out-of-pocket” costs for the academic year. Your expected family contribution is determined annually using information from your CSS Profile and other documents such as tax forms, tax schedules, and W-2 forms. Cornell considers both income and assets in our calculations. Your expected family contribution includes both student and parent contributions.
Financial Aid — Your Cornell aid offer includes financial aid from a variety of sources that equals your financial need for the academic year. Financial aid offers include Cornell grants and scholarships, federal and state grants and scholarships (gift aid that does not have to be repaid), work-study (self-help aid that must be earned), and reasonable student loans (self-help aid that must be repaid), depending on your total family income.
If you are expecting an outside scholarship from an external organization your financial aid offer will be reevaluated. Please upload a copy of your scholarship award letter to our Secure Document Upload portal.
If you are an international student, please carefully review the Terms of International Scholar Awards. Unless you qualify for an exemption, 14% of grant and scholarship aid in excess of “qualified” tuition and fees will be withheld from your aid, per federal Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax requirements.
Thank you for your service to our nation! If you are interested in utilizing Post-9/11 GI Bill and/or Yellow Ribbon benefits, please visit our Veterans Education Benefits page.
Cornell offers several other flexible payment and financing programs to assist your family, including:
Big Red is available 24/7 and can answer many general financial aid questions. For more detailed questions contact the Financial Aid Office by email at finaid@cornell.edu. For questions involving personally sensitive issues, connect with a financial aid counselor by phone (607.255.5145), or by virtual appointment during regular office hours.