Cornell College Debt Reduction Pledge
Cornell’s Debt Reduction Pledge is a program for admitted students who started at Cornell in Fall 2022 & 2023. Cornell committed to pay half of your total federal student debt upon graduation—up to your pledge award amount—when you graduate from Cornell in four years. This payment will be made directly to your federal student loan servicer, on your behalf, before your first student loan payment is due.
The Debt Reduction Pledge works in conjunction with all of Cornell’s current financial assistance support and will not impact any aid, scholarships, work study, or other funding you receive as a student.
What is required to qualify for loan repayment?
During your four years at Cornell you will need to
- Live in Cornell College residential housing
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress
- Be enrolled as a full-time student all four years
- Graduate in good academic standing after four years
Why isn’t this program available to students after Fall 2023?
For fall 2024 we adjusted the program participation requirements and renamed it Cornell’s Student Loan Partnership. It is still offered to students when they are admitted to Cornell and prior to their first day of classes. If you are a new first-year student, ask your Admission Counselor for details about the program.
Questions about your pledge?
If you are a current student and accepted the Debt Reduction Pledge you can get information about the status of your pledge from the Financial Assistance Office.