Janice Lozano
Cornell University, located in Ithaca, New York, is committed to ensuring that its educational opportunities are accessible to students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. The university offers financial aid programs to assist low-income students in covering tuition, housing, and other expenses. While some students have expressed concerns about the cost of living and additional expenses, Cornell provides support through grants, scholarships, work-study programs, and low-interest student loans. The university also offers the First Generation and Low-Income (FGLI) Student Support program, which aims to foster an inclusive educational environment for students facing financial challenges.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Financial aid | Cornell meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all eligible undergraduates with annual aid offers that include Cornell grants and endowed scholarships, Pell grants and NY State grants (when eligible), work-study, and low student loans, depending on total family income. |
| Cost of attendance | For the 2024–25 academic year, most families with a total annual income of up to $75,000 will receive aid offers that include grant aid and work-study only, with no student loans. Families with a total annual income above $75,000 will receive aid offers that include grant aid, work-study, and student loans. |
| Student demographics | 19.6% of students have family incomes in the bottom 60% (<$65,000). Within the Ivy League, only Harvard, Columbia, and Cornell have more students from the bottom 60% than the top 1%. |
| First-generation and low-income student support | Cornell offers First-Generation & Low-Income (FGLI) Student Support to promote awareness, identity exploration, community engagement, and self-advocacy for students who identify as first-generation and/or low-income. |
| Student experiences | Students from low-income backgrounds have shared varying experiences at Cornell, from finding financial assistance and support to facing challenges with dining and accommodation costs. |
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What You'll Learn
Financial aid for low-income students
Cornell University is committed to ensuring that its educational opportunities are accessible to students from all socioeconomic backgrounds. The university offers a range of financial aid programs to assist low-income students in meeting the cost of attendance.
For the 2024–2025 academic year, Cornell has pledged to offer over $400 million in need-based grant aid to more than 7,500 undergraduate students. This aid is designed to cover the full demonstrated financial need of eligible students, with no expected student or parent contributions. In addition to Cornell grants and endowed scholarships, the university also provides Pell grants and NY State grants (when eligible), work-study opportunities, and low or zero student loans, depending on total family income.
To determine eligibility for financial aid, Cornell's Office of Financial Aid and Student Employment reviews a student's annual CSS Profile application and supporting documentation to assess their expected family contribution (EFC). For families with a total annual income of up to $75,000, aid offers typically include grant aid and work-study, with no student loans required. Above this income threshold, aid packages may include a combination of grant aid, work-study, and reasonable student loan options.
Additionally, Cornell offers need-based institutional grants that are awarded based on a student's financial need. The amount provided is determined by the family's financial situation, aiming to bridge the gap between the cost of attendance and their ability to pay. High school performance, standardised test scores, and participation in extracurricular activities can also contribute to scholarship eligibility.
Cornell's financial aid programs have been designed to make the university accessible to a diverse range of students. The university understands that each student's financial situation is unique, and they strive to provide affordable options for those from low-income backgrounds.
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Scholarships and grants
Cornell University offers a range of scholarships and grants to support low-income students in accessing the institution. The university is committed to ensuring that Cornell is accessible to students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.
Cornell meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all eligible undergraduates with annual aid offers. These offers may include Cornell grants, endowed scholarships, Pell grants, NY State grants (when eligible), work-study opportunities, and low or zero student loans, depending on total family income. For the 2024-25 academic year, families with a total annual income of up to $75,000 are expected to receive aid offers that include grant aid and work-study without the need for student loans.
Cornell grants and endowed scholarships are a cornerstone of the university's undergraduate aid program. These are need-based "gift aid" that does not need to be repaid. Eligibility is determined by the information provided on the CSS Profile application and the FAFSA form. The amount of aid provided varies and is based on demonstrated financial need. Undergraduate students who are eligible for a Cornell grant may also qualify for named endowed scholarships. These endowed scholarships are funded by individuals who care about Cornell and its students, including alumni who previously received student aid.
Additionally, many Cornell students receive scholarships from private external organizations, such as foundations, religious institutions, civic service organizations, or corporations. These outside scholarships are awarded based on specific criteria, such as academic performance, special talents, involvement, or interests. Work-study programs also provide a need-based opportunity for students to work part-time to contribute to their educational costs.
While Cornell does not offer merit-based or athletic scholarships, students can explore payment plans with Cashnet, which accepts credit cards. However, it is important to note that these payment plans may only be available up to a certain date, typically the second month of the semester.
Cornell is committed to minimizing student debt and encourages students to carefully consider their borrowing options. The university provides resources to help students make informed decisions about their financial aid and loan options.
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Work-study and student loans
Cornell University is committed to ensuring that its educational opportunities are accessible to students from all socioeconomic backgrounds. The university provides financial aid to all eligible undergraduates who demonstrate financial need. This aid can come in the form of work-study programs and student loans, among other options.
Work-study is a need-based financial aid program that allows eligible students to work part-time to meet their educational costs. At Cornell, eligible undergraduate aid applicants with demonstrated need are typically offered $5,000 per academic year through the work-study program. The university offers a wide variety of part-time jobs, both on and off-campus, and students are paid via university payroll. While Cornell does not offer job placement services, students can conduct their own job search to find opportunities that align with their interests, skills, and class schedules. Additionally, U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens with demonstrated need based on the FAFSA form may be eligible for Federal Work-Study (FWS) funding.
Student loans are another option for low-income students at Cornell University. The university offers low-interest student loans, depending on the total family income. Student and parent loan options are available for families who wish to finance any portion of their expected contributions. These loans are considered “self-help” aid, as students may choose to borrow money through loans instead of participating in a work-study program, or vice versa.
Cornell University aims to make its education accessible to students from all financial backgrounds. By offering work-study programs and low-interest student loans, the university ensures that low-income students have the opportunity to pursue their academic goals. The university's financial aid programs are designed to meet 100% of the demonstrated financial need for eligible undergraduates.
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Housing and dining costs
For the 2022-2023 academic year, the estimated cost of attendance for on-campus housing, dining, and other expenses was approximately $19,272, with students paying an average of $19,901 for room and board. This cost is expected to increase for the upcoming academic year, with estimates suggesting a total of $20,553 for the second year and $21,929 for the fourth year. Over four years, students can expect to spend a total of approximately $83,614 on housing and dining, representing a 3.6% annual increase, which is higher than the national average of 2.4%.
Cornell University offers various financial aid options to support students with demonstrated financial need. The university commits to meeting 100% of the demonstrated financial need for eligible undergraduates through a combination of Cornell grants, endowed scholarships, Pell grants, state grants, work-study opportunities, and low-interest student loans. For the 2024-2025 academic year, families with a total annual income of up to $75,000 are expected to receive aid offers that include grant aid and work-study, without the need for student loans. Families with higher incomes may also receive aid packages that include a combination of grant aid, work-study, and reasonable student loan offers.
Additionally, Cornell University does not require any parent contribution for students from low-income families, ensuring accessibility for students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. The university's financial aid programs are designed to make Cornell affordable for all admitted students, regardless of their financial situation.
It is worth noting that some students may opt for off-campus housing to save on costs, as on-campus housing at Cornell is considered expensive compared to the national average. However, the university provides resources to assist students in finding suitable off-campus accommodations. Furthermore, Cornell offers meal plans based on the number of meals per week, allowing students to budget for their dining expenses effectively. Housing rates include utilities and internet service.
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First-generation and low-income student support
Cornell University offers various support services and resources for first-generation and low-income (FGLI) students to ensure they have a positive and successful educational experience.
The First-Generation and Low-Income Student Support, a unit within the Dean of Students' Center for Student Equity, Empowerment, and Belonging, promotes awareness, identity exploration, community engagement, and self-advocacy for FGLI students. They adopt a holistic, intersectional approach to foster an inclusive and transformational educational environment, empowering FGLI students to navigate and access resources and overcome institutional barriers.
One of the key initiatives is the Access Fund, a non-emergency fund supported by alumni and donor contributions. It provides financial assistance to undergraduate and graduate low-income students, including those with undocumented/DACA status. The fund helps students with on-campus barriers, access to necessities, and unexpected expenses not covered by financial aid, health insurance, or other university resources. Undergraduate students can receive up to $500 per academic year, while graduate students can receive up to $300. The fund also supports summer experiential learning, travel to attend a funeral, laptop repairs, and fitness centre memberships.
Additionally, Cornell meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all eligible undergraduates through various aid offers. These offers may include Cornell grants, endowed scholarships, Pell grants, NY State grants, work-study opportunities, and low-interest student loans, depending on total family income. For the 2024-25 academic year, families with total annual incomes up to $75,000 are expected to receive aid offers without student loans, maximising grant/scholarship aid and including a $5,000 work-study award.
Cornell also encourages community-building among FGLI students, with pre-orientation programs and other initiatives to help them connect, share experiences, and support each other throughout their time at the university.
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Frequently asked questions
Cornell University offers financial aid to low-income students in the form of grants, scholarships, work-study, and low-interest student loans. The university aims to ensure that Cornell is accessible to students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.
According to a 2020 statistic, 19.6% of Cornell students have family incomes in the bottom 60% (<$65,000). Within the Ivy League, only Harvard, Columbia, and Cornell have a lower percentage of students from the top 1% of earners.
Low-income students at Cornell have reported feeling supported by the university's financial aid and resources. However, some students have also reported that the day-to-day living expenses in Ithaca are higher than anticipated, and they have had to take on jobs to support themselves.
