Financial Aid
College is a lifetime investment in your future
What will your college education cost? It’s an important question to be asking as you prepare to embark on your academic journey. We offer high-quality degrees that are accessible and affordable to students from a variety of backgrounds and income levels. In fact, 99% of our students receive some form of financial assistance. And we’ve increased our commitment to reducing student debt with Cornell’s Student Loan Partnership to further help you afford a private liberal arts education.
When you apply to Cornell College, you’ll receive automatic merit scholarship consideration. It’s that easy. You may also qualify for additional financial aid support, including grants, loans, and work-study programs.
The Cornell College financial aid team is here to answer any questions you may have and help connect you with valuable resources. We welcome students and families to visit our office during a campus visit for an in-person meeting, request a time slot when you plan your visit or reach out to us via email or phone at (877) 579-4049.
of Cornell students received
financial assistance in 2024-25
of the Cornell students
were Pell-eligible in 2024-25
is the average financial aid and federal loan
package for the Class of 2027
Jose De La Torre, a first-generation story
Hear firsthand from Jose De La Torre about his journey to Cornell College and how our scholarships and financial aid packages helped him achieve his goals.
Learn more about your options for college funding
What financial aid will be available to you ? Get an understanding of the many funding sources offered at Cornell. Browse scholarships, need-based grants, work-study programs, and loan options.
Scholarships
You may qualify for a number of exciting scholarship opportunities. We offer a variety of renewable scholarships for first-year, transfer, and international students, including Cornell's Iowa Promise Scholarship and our National Academic Scholarship. Best of all, there’s no paperwork required to qualify, you’re automatically considered when you apply to Cornell.
Additionally, you may apply for scholarships that are awarded to students pursuing special interests including the arts, esports, cheer and dance, and mock trial. Learn which scholarships you may be eligible for!
Explore Cornell College scholarships
Need-based grants
While scholarships are based on merit- or talent-based funding, grants provide assistance based on your financial need. To find out which grants you could qualify for, you will need to submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Learn more about Cornell College grants
Work-study aid
If you qualify for federal work-study based on your FAFSA, there are plenty of opportunities on campus! You might work as a faculty assistant, a football manager, a social media assistant, a stage manager, or a peer writing consultant, to name a few possibilities. Learn more about work-study positions on campus.
Student loans
Get to know the types of loan options that are available to students. With a wide variety of loans available and marketed to you, it might be hard to understand where they’re originating from and what the repayment terms are. The financial aid staff can help answer your questions about loans and help you determine what loan options are right for you and your family.
Financial resources for every stage
No matter where you are in the financial aid process, our counselors can help. If you have any questions, reach out to us! Here's how many successful students approach the financial aid process:
- Complete your application for admission to Cornell College
- Apply for any talent scholarships from Cornell College that might be a good fit
- Complete the FAFSA to find out what Federal aid you qualify for
- Research and apply for outside scholarships at your school, in your community, or with national or global organizations
- Receive and review your Financial Aid Summary from Cornell
- Consider loan options to fill in any gap between aid and out of pocket costs
The Cornell College Office of Financial Assistance
Still have questions? Reach out to our financial assistance team and talk one-on-one with an expert. We’re dedicated to helping you access a high-quality liberal arts education that prepares you for wherever your career goals lead you.
