Lana Oconnell
Cornell University's admissions process for international students has been a topic of discussion, with some considering it the least generous Ivy League school for financial aid. The university is need-aware for international applicants, meaning their ability to pay tuition fees is considered during the admissions process. However, Cornell does provide need-based financial aid to admitted international students who have demonstrated financial need, striving to meet 100% of their demonstrated need. While Cornell does not offer merit, athletic, or talent-based scholarships, international students can benefit from full scholarships through programmes like the Levitan Family Scholarships and the Levitan Scholars Fund.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Need-blind for international students? | No, Cornell is need-aware for international students. |
| Need-blind for US citizens and permanent residents? | Yes |
| Financial aid for international students? | Yes, Cornell provides need-based financial aid to admitted international students who have applied for financial aid and demonstrated financial need. |
| Merit-based scholarships for international students? | No |
| Full scholarships for international students? | Yes, a cohort of international students receive full scholarships via the Levitan Family Scholarships. |
| Student loans for international students? | Cornell's financial aid packages include student loans, but these are US federal student loans, which are technically "need-based aid". |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Cornell's definition of an international student
Cornell University defines an international student as someone who "does not hold US citizenship or approved permanent resident status (green card)". Students whose permanent resident status is pending are also considered international students. Undocumented students with or without DACA status are considered domestic students for admissions and financial aid.
Cornell University is not need-blind for international students. This means that applicants' financial circumstances are considered as part of the admissions process. The university provides need-based financial aid to admitted international students who have applied for financial aid and demonstrated financial need. Therefore, international students must apply for financial aid when applying for admission. Cornell does not offer partial financial aid awards. Students who are admitted and have applied for financial aid, demonstrating their financial need, will receive a financial aid package that meets 100% of their need. However, not all international students with demonstrated need will receive aid due to Cornell's limited budget for international student assistance.
All Cornell students must have a strong command of the English language to be successful in their academic pursuits. English proficiency can be demonstrated by one of the following methods:
- Being a U.S. Citizen/Permanent Resident.
- Having English as your native language.
- Having English as the primary language of instruction for the past four years.
Applicants who do not meet one of these criteria are required to submit an English proficiency exam score from the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test. Score requirements for admissions consideration include a minimum of 100 on the TOEFL internet-based exam, a minimum of 7.5 on the IELTS, or a minimum of 130 on the Duolingo English Test.
Cornell has a thriving international student community, with over 1,600 undergraduate international students representing more than 120 countries. The overall acceptance rate for Cornell University is 7.9%, while the acceptance rate for international students is significantly lower at 2.8%.
Clerking as an International Student: Is It Possible?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Need-aware admissions for international students
Cornell University is a need-aware institution for international students. This means that applications from international students are evaluated for admission with consideration of the ability of students or their parents to pay educational costs.
Cornell University provides need-based financial aid to admitted international students who have applied for financial aid and demonstrated financial need. The university does not offer merit, athletic, or talent-based aid to students. Students who are admitted and have applied for financial aid, demonstrating financial need, will receive a financial aid package that meets 100% of their demonstrated financial need. Cornell does not provide partial financial aid awards.
The financial aid office uses the CSS Profile to determine the financial need of international students and to come up with their aid package. International students who have received a need-based financial aid offer from another Ivy League institution, Stanford, Duke, or MIT, will have their eligibility calculated based on the information provided. Cornell does not offer financial aid to international students based on athletics and/or merit.
Cornell University treats undergraduate students with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status the same as U.S. citizens and permanent residents for admission and financial aid purposes. These students are eligible for need-blind admission and will no longer have to compete with international students for the limited pool of financial aid funds available to them. Cornell provides institutional aid to DACA students as they are not eligible for federal and state grants and loans.
Declaring Dependents: A Guide for International Students
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$13.89 $15.86
Financial aid for international students
Cornell University provides need-based financial aid to admitted international students who have applied for financial aid and demonstrated financial need. Cornell's undergraduate admission process for international students is "need-aware", meaning that applications from international students will be evaluated for admission with consideration of the ability of students or parents to pay educational costs. Cornell does not offer merit, athletic, or talent-based aid to students. All financial aid is need-based, and there are no loans offered through the university.
International applicants seeking Cornell grant or scholarship aid must complete the CSS Profile when they apply for admission. After receiving the CSS Profile application, Cornell may request additional forms or documentation. All admitted first-year and transfer undergraduates will receive an estimate of their expected family contribution, cost of attendance, and the financial aid they may be eligible for in the upcoming academic year.
If you received a need-based financial aid offer from another Ivy League institution, Stanford, Duke, or MIT, Cornell will strive to calculate the same eligibility based on the information provided. However, Cornell is unable to consider evaluating scholarship offers that are not from one of these institutions or offers based on athletics and/or merit. International students who have not received financial aid from Cornell are not eligible for the initiative.
It is important to note that international applicants who do not apply for international financial aid when they apply for admission will not be eligible to apply for financial aid at any time after enrolling as an undergraduate at Cornell. Additionally, Cornell does not provide partial financial aid awards. Some candidates who apply for financial aid may be admitted without a financial aid offer if they do not demonstrate financial need.
The Cornell Installment Plan (CIP), also known as the Full-Service Payment Plan, enables students and their families to make monthly instalments to cover each semester's tuition and expenses.
Premed Students: Internship and Research Opportunities
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Scholarships and mentorship for international students
Cornell University provides need-based financial aid to international students who have applied for financial aid and demonstrated financial need. International students who have received a need-based financial aid offer from another Ivy League institution, Stanford, Duke, or MIT can have their eligibility calculated based on the information provided. Cornell 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.
To apply for financial aid, first-year and transfer undergraduate international applicants must complete the CSS Profile when they apply for admission. After receiving the CSS Profile application, Cornell may request additional forms or documentation. All admitted first-year and transfer undergraduates will receive an estimate of their expected family contribution, cost of attendance, and the financial aid they may be eligible for in the upcoming academic year.
There are also mentorship programs available for undergraduate students at Cornell, such as the Graduate Students Mentoring Undergraduates (GSMU) program. Undergraduate mentees will be matched with a mentor and meet a minimum of two times per semester. GSMU works to provide both structure and flexibility so that participants can engage in ways they find meaningful.
Cornell also has an International Students Association (ISA) that provides mentorship to international students.
Colleges' Role in Easing International Students' Culture Shock
You may want to see also
Explore related products
International students and loans
Cornell University provides need-based financial aid to admitted international students who have applied for financial aid and demonstrated financial need. Cornell does not offer merit, athletic, or talent-based aid to students. Admissions decisions for international applicants are need-aware, meaning that applications from international students will be evaluated for admission with consideration of the ability of students or parents to pay educational costs. Students who are admitted and have applied for financial aid will receive a financial aid package that meets 100% of their demonstrated financial need. Cornell does not provide partial financial aid awards.
Cornell does not offer loans, but international students may be able to apply for a loan through a private lender. Cornell's website has a list of lenders that undergraduates have used in the past. Additionally, the Cornell Installment Plan (CIP), also known as the Full-Service Payment Plan, enables students and their families to make monthly installments to cover each semester's tuition and expenses.
International students can also use loan comparison tools to find and compare international student loans that are available for foreign and study abroad students. Most loans for non-US citizens will require a US cosigner, which will improve their chances of getting approved and lower their interest rate. However, there are also no-cosigner loans available to students at a growing number of universities and colleges. Students can use loan comparison tools to see if they are eligible for a loan without a cosigner.
Communicating with International Students: Strategies for Success
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
No, Cornell University is not need-blind for international students. Cornell is still need-blind for U.S. citizens and permanent resident applicants.
Being need-aware means that Cornell will evaluate international applicants for admission with consideration of the ability of students or parents to pay educational costs.
Cornell will provide all admitted international students with financial aid packages that meet 100% of their demonstrated need. However, Cornell has a limited budget for international student aid, so not all applicants with demonstrated need will receive aid.
International students must fill out the CSS Profile, which the financial aid office uses to determine financial need and develop aid packages.
Cornell does not offer full scholarships based on merit, athletics, or talent. However, the Levitan Family Scholarships provide full scholarships to a cohort of international students with financial need.
