Scholarships and Awards
All Cornell scholarships are renewable. You will receive your first-year scholarship for four years as long as you maintain satisfactory academic progress. When you apply to Cornell, you are automatically considered for Cornell's first-year or transfer merit scholarships and awards, no additional materials are required. If you live off campus, your merit and/or fine art scholarships will be reduced proportionately.
Cornell scholarships and awards
| First-year scholarships and awards | 2025-26 |
|---|---|
| Iowa Promise Scholarship | $35,000 + |
| Freeway Scholarship | $35,000 + |
| National Academic Award | $33,000 + |
| Transfer merit scholarships | 2025-26 |
|---|---|
| Iowa Promise Scholarship | $31,000 |
| Freeway Scholarship | $31,000 |
| Achievement Scholarship | $31,000 |
| Trustee Scholarship | $30,000 |
| Presidential Scholarship | $24,000 + |
International merit scholarships
Merit scholarships for first-year international students range from $33,000-$37,000 per year. International students are not eligible for federal aid.
Talent awards are renewable for up to four years like our merit scholarships, and may require additional steps beyond your application for admission and will be added to your merit scholarship.
| Talent awards | |
|---|---|
| Cornell College Music Award | up to $5000 |
| All-State Music Award | $5000 |
| Cornell College Art Award | up to $5000 |
| Cornell College Theatre Award | up to $5000 |
| Cornell College Dance Award | up to $5000 |
| Cornell College Esports Award | $1,000 - $5,000 |
| Spirit Award | $1,500 |
| Mock Trial Award | $1,000 - $5,000 |
| Legacy Award | $2,000 |
| Transfer PTK Award | $1,000 - $2,000 |