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