Apply for Financial Aid
Applying for aid is easy
Completing your financial aid application is an important step in preparing for college. Whether it’s your first time attending or you’re getting ready for your next exciting semester, our financial assistance team at Cornell is here to help. We’ve made the process easy—just follow these simple steps for applying for aid, and don’t forget to add Cornell College to your list of schools.
First-year and transfer students
Step 1: Complete your application
The first step is the easiest: Just complete your application to Cornell College. Your financial aid package cannot be processed until you have been admitted to Cornell. When you apply, you will receive automatic scholarship consideration. First-year students are considered for a wealth of first-year scholarships, and transfer students receive consideration for transfer merit scholarships.
Step 2: Complete the FAFSA
Be sure to submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It’s important to file, as you might be eligible for an array of valuable federal aid. Cornell College also uses the information in your FAFSA to help determine school-specific awards.
We’ve compiled some helpful tips to make filing easier. Find tips on filing your FAFSA.
Step 3: Review the FAFSA Submission Summary
The FAFSA Submission Summary is a document that summarizes the information you provided on your FAFSA. Be sure to review your report to make sure the answers are all accurate. If anything needs to be corrected, you may do so on the FAFSA website.
Step 4: Document special circumstances
If you have any special circumstances not reflected in the FAFSA that you’d like us to consider, let us know. Examples of these circumstances include a recent job loss, a separation or divorce in your family, or the loss of untaxed income or benefits. Please reach out to our office to talk through any documentation that may be needed to add these circumstances to our records.
Connor Foster
Information for returning students
Step 1: Complete the renewal FAFSA by April 1
Be sure to renew your FAFSA. It’s important to file every year, as you might be eligible for new awards. Cornell College also uses the information in your FAFSA to help determine school-specific funding.
The FAFSA is going to be different for 2024-25, check out our guide to the changes.
Step 2: Review the FAFSA Submission Summary
The FAFSA Submission Summary is a document that summarizes the information you provided on your FAFSA. Be sure to review your report every year to make sure your answers are all accurate. There may be new information in this year’s report, so be sure to always read it thoroughly. If anything needs to be corrected, you may do so on the FAFSA website.
Step 3: Document special circumstances
Have you experienced any special circumstances since you first received financial aid from Cornell? Examples of these circumstances include a recent job loss, a separation or divorce in your family, or the loss of untaxed income or benefits. If you have, now is the time to talk with a financial aid counselor about any documentation that may be needed to add these circumstances to our records.
Still, have questions about paying for college?
Reach out to our financial assistance team and talk one-on-one with an expert. We’re dedicated to helping you experience a high-quality education.