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 | 2026-27 |
|---|---|
| Iowa Promise Scholarship | $37,000 - $42,000 |
| Direct to Cornell Scholarship | $37,000 - $42,000 |
| National Academic Scholarship | $35,000 - $42,000 |
| Transfer merit scholarships | 2026-27 |
|---|---|
| Transfer Scholarship | $33,000 |
|
Students transferring with less than 7 credit hours |
|
International merit scholarships
Merit scholarships for first-year international students range from $35,000-$40,000 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 | |
|---|---|
| Art Award | up to $5000 |
| Creative Writing Award | up to $5000 |
| Esports Award | up to $5,000 |
| Mock Trial Award | up to $5,000 |
| Music Award | up to $5,000 |
| All-State Music Award | $5000 |
| Spirit Award | $1,500 |
| Theatre and Dance Award | up to $5000 |
| Legacy Award | $2,000 |
| Transfer PTK Award | $1,000 - $2,000 |