Cornell Scholarships: International Students' Opportunities Explored

Cornell University offers a range of scholarships and financial aid to international students who demonstrate financial need. The university's undergraduate admission process for international students is need-aware, meaning that the financial situation of applicants and their families is one of many factors considered when making admission decisions. Cornell does not offer merit, athletic, or talent-based aid to students. However, it meets 100% of admitted international undergraduates' demonstrated financial need through a combination of Cornell grants, annual work-study awards, and student loans. International students seeking scholarships or grants at Cornell must complete the College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile as part of their application for admission.

Cornell University scholarships for undergraduate international students

Cornell University offers a range of scholarships and financial aid to international undergraduate students who fulfill the eligibility criteria or are looking for need-based aid. The university meets 100% of admitted international undergraduates' demonstrated financial need with annual aid offers that include Cornell grants, an annual work-study award, and reasonable student loans depending on total family income.

All financial aid awarded by Cornell is based on financial need. The university does not offer merit, athletic, or talent-based aid to students. Undergraduate applicants eligible for financial aid must complete and submit the CSS Profile by the deadline.

• Apply for financial aid at the university.
• Complete the College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS).
• The university will review the application, and the student must fulfill the eligibility criteria to get the scholarship.
• The university will notify the student whether they have been selected to receive a scholarship.

Some of the scholarships offered to international students at Cornell University include:

• The Tata Scholarship Fund: This fund supports approximately 20 scholars at any point in time and ensures that the best Indian students have access to Cornell, regardless of their financial circumstances. Recipients receive the scholarship for the duration of their undergraduate studies at Cornell.
• Levitan Family Scholarships: This scholarship is for international students with significant financial need. It provides full scholarships to five students every year and offers benefits such as mentorship, a close-knit community, off-campus travel experiences, and financial support for academic research and internships.

Cornell University scholarships for graduate international students

Cornell University offers aid to graduate international students in the form of assistantships, fellowships, student loans, and travel funding opportunities. Graduate international students can also apply for external scholarships and student loans from private lenders.

Assistantships and Fellowships

Cornell University offers assistantships and fellowships to graduate international students. These positions typically involve teaching or research responsibilities and can provide a stipend, tuition waiver, or other benefits. Graduate students can explore assistantship and fellowship opportunities within their specific departments or programs.

Student Loans

While Cornell University does not directly offer loans to international students, they can apply for student loans through private lenders. The university's website offers a range of options from which students can submit their loan applications. It is important to carefully review the terms and conditions of these loans, as they may have different requirements and interest rates compared to federal student loans.

Travel Funding Opportunities

Cornell University may also provide travel funding opportunities for graduate international students who need support with expenses related to academic conferences, field research, or other university-related travel. These opportunities are often offered through individual departments or programs, so students should inquire within their specific areas of study.

External Scholarships

In addition to the funding opportunities provided by Cornell University, graduate international students can explore external scholarships offered by organisations and institutions outside of the university. These scholarships may be targeted towards specific fields of study, diversity initiatives, or other criteria. It is recommended to research and apply for external scholarships well in advance, as they often have competitive application processes.

Application Process for Cornell University Scholarships

To apply for scholarships at Cornell University, graduate international students should follow these steps:

• Apply for financial aid: Complete the College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS Profile) and submit any required documentation to demonstrate financial need.
• Fulfill eligibility criteria: Review the eligibility criteria for the Tata Scholarship and ensure that you meet the requirements.
• Wait for notification: After applying, students will be notified whether they have been selected to receive a scholarship.

Cornell University external scholarships for international students

Cornell University offers external scholarships for international students through the following sources:

• The Tata Education and Development Trust: A philanthropic affiliate of India's Tata Group provides a USD 25 million endowment to Cornell to offer financial aid to undergraduate students from India.
• Levitan Family Scholarships: Cornell alumnus Dr. Alexander Levitan '59 and Mrs. Lucy Levitan established these scholarships to support international students with financial need. The scholarships provide full funding for five students each year and offer mentorship, community, and financial assistance for academic and professional opportunities.

In addition to these Cornell-specific external scholarships, international students can explore other external scholarship opportunities, such as the K.C. Mahindra Scholarships, Robert S. McNamara Fellowships, Amberscholar Scholarship, and more. These scholarships are offered by organisations outside of Cornell University and can provide additional financial support for international students studying at Cornell.

It is important to note that Cornell University's undergraduate admission process for international students is "need-aware," meaning that the interest in or need for financial aid is considered along with other factors during the admissions process. International students seeking financial aid must complete the CSS Profile when applying for admission and demonstrate their financial need. Cornell meets 100% of admitted international undergraduates' demonstrated financial need through a combination of Cornell grants, work-study awards, and student loans.

Cornell University student loans for international students

Cornell University meets 100% of its admitted international undergraduates' demonstrated financial need with annual aid offers that include Cornell grants, an annual work-study award, and reasonable student loans depending on total family income. However, Cornell University does not directly offer loans to international students through the university. Instead, students can opt to apply for student loans through a private lender from the university's website, which offers a range of options.

To be eligible for financial aid, international applicants must complete and submit the CSS Profile by the deadline. The CSS Profile is used to determine the expected family contribution, confirmed cost of attendance, and the financial aid the student is eligible for in the upcoming academic year. Students must also submit any additional requested documentation promptly.

All financial aid awarded by Cornell is based on financial need. The university does not offer merit, athletic, or talent-based aid to students.

Cornell University scholarships application process

Cornell University offers need-based financial aid to international students. The university does not offer merit, athletic, or talent-based aid.

Application Requirements:

To apply for the university's need-based financial aid program, applicants must complete and submit the CSS Profile by the deadline. The CSS Profile is used to determine the expected family contribution, cost of attendance, and the financial aid package offered to admitted students. International applicants must also submit their financial aid application materials by the deadline.

In addition to the CSS Profile, international applicants may be required to submit additional forms or documentation. These requests are typically initiated by Cornell through the College Board's Institutional Documentation Service (IDOC). Applicants should upload signed copies of the requested documents to their IDOC Student Dashboard.

Types of Scholarships:

Cornell University offers various scholarships for international students, including:

• Tata Scholarship for Students from India: This scholarship is funded by a $25 million endowment from the Tata Education and Development Trust and provides financial aid to undergraduate students from India. The scholarship is awarded based on financial need, and recipients receive funding for up to eight semesters of study.
• Levitan Family Scholarships: Established by Cornell alumnus Dr. Alexander Levitan and Mrs. Lucy Levitan, these scholarships provide full funding and mentorship to a cohort of international students with significant financial need. Recipients benefit from a close-knit community, travel experiences, and financial support for academic and professional opportunities.

Application Timeline:

The application timeline for international students applying for Fall 2025 admission is as follows:

• Early Decision: The application deadline for Early Decision is November 1, and the financial aid application deadline is November 1.
• Regular Decision: The application deadline for Regular Decision is January 2, and the financial aid application deadline is January 2.

Application Fee:

Cornell University charges a non-refundable application fee of $80. However, the university will waive this fee if it presents a financial hardship for the applicant or their family. Applicants can request a fee waiver through the Common App Fee Waiver section of their profile.

Frequently asked questions