Cornell University
PA-8: Affordability and Access

The University provides what is known as need-based aid. This means that a calculation based on the information from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) and Collegeboard’s CSS Profile is used to create a financial aid award for students. Based on these calculations, the University will provide aid to meet the full need of the student.

Additionally, the University also has developed affordability initiatives as it pertains to financial aid. The first is to assist with loans and parent contributions from families based on income levels, the second is to support the reduction of student loan debt based on income levels, and the third is in support of students that are undocumented of DACA recipients. The first two are tiered programs and the third is for students that do not qualify for federal aid, all to assist in making Cornell more accessible.

The "Zeros Student Loans and Zero Expected Family Contribution" initiative states that “families with total income below $60,000 and typical assets, will have no parent contribution and no loans in the initial aid package.”

The "Low Student Loan" initiative has been in place for a number of years. It was updated for 23-24 to further reduce the standard amount of loan in initial aid offers. It currently states, a family with income below $75,000 will have a student aid offer of $0 loan. For families with income between $75,001 and $125,000 loans offers will be a maximum of $2000. If the family income is between $125,001 and $175,000 the maximum loan offer will be $400. And if the family income is above $175,000, the maximum loan offer will be $6000. All of these options make Cornell a very affordable institution for our neediest students.

The last initiative is the "Undocumented Undergraduate Applicant Initiative" stating that "As of fall 2021, all current and future enrolled undergraduate students who attended and graduated from a U.S. high school without U.S. citizenship, residency, or visa status are eligible for a Cornell financial aid package that matches their demonstrated financial need. All applicants attending and expecting to graduate from a U.S. high school despite lacking citizenship, residency, or visa status will be evaluated as part of Cornell’s need-blind admission review alongside their U.S. peers."

The Office of Undergraduate Admissions works in collaboration with the Office of Financial Aid and Student Employment, to have a team that works to assist families with the application process to Cornell and subsequently complete the financial aid application process. Virtual sessions are offered in fall and early Spring in conjunction the Office of Academic Diversity Initiatives, to present "Cornell University, and Affordable Ivy League Education." These sessions are shared through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions to students and families across the United States. Additionally, in support of the New York State Opportunity Programs (EOP/HEOP), sessions are offered to share with New York residents about these programs, the benefits, and application process.

Additionally, admissions representatives from the Office of Undergraduate Admissions as well as members of the individual college admissions teams provide workshops throughout the year for students to understand the application process and will support students in completing the process. Many of the workshops are hosting in support of Community Based Organizations and schools aimed at support low-income and first generation applicants be able to complete the college application process.

https://finaid.cornell.edu/cost-to-attend/cornells-commitment-to-access-and-affordability
https://finaid.cornell.edu/policies/eligible-us-citizenship-status-eligible-non-citizens-undocumented-students
http://www.oadi.cornell.edu/

Units in the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education (OVPUE), which includes the Office of Academic Diversity Initiatives (OADI), offers programming that encompasses non-traditional students. Programming and support are given to students who are adult learners, students with dependents, veterans/active military, and first-generation students.

Through the OVPUE, Cornell has hired a full-time Undergraduate Student Veteran Program Director (USVPD). The USVPD works closely with the students on the Veterans Summer Bridge Program (VSBP) and throughout their time at Cornell to make sure they are applying for and accessing all of the opportunities they have available to them through their benefits. The USVPD provides support, advocacy, programming, and referral to our undergraduate student veterans while serving as a point of contact and direct link between them, Cornell, the VA Regional Office, Department of Defense, and other federal, state, and local veterans’ agencies and organizations. The office staff member works closely with the leadership of the Cornell University Veterans Association (CUVA), a veteran student organization, and the Veterans Colleague Network Group. Additionally, the USVPD partners with and works closely with the Undergraduate Admissions Office to participate in recruiting events and workshops specifically geared to veteran/military applicants.

Additionally, the Dean of Students Office in Student and Campus Life has staff that supports first-generation and low-Income students. They work collaboratively with staff in OADI and other units across campus to help develop a sense of support and community for these students. They partner with colleagues in the College of Arts and Sciences who have received funding to create a support program for first-generation college students in the college and have developed a summer experience for students to participate in to assist in the transition for the College of Arts and Sciences.

A Non-Traditional Students of Cornell (NTSOC) student organization was founded and consults with both OADI and DOS on ways our campus can further support the unique academic journeys of non-traditional students.

https://oadi.cornell.edu/
https://scl.cornell.edu/first-generation-low-income-support
https://military.cornell.edu/
https://veterans.cornell.edu/

http://dos.cornell.edu/student-development-diversity-initiatives
http://www.oadi.cornell.edu/
https://dos.cornell.edu/
http://irp.dpb.cornell.edu/university-factbook