Cornell
Decision sheet

The starting point

Cornell does not award merit or athletic scholarships — all grant aid is need-based. The CDS reports N/A for non-need merit, confirming truly zero institutional merit aid. Cornell meets 100% of demonstrated need with income-tiered loans (families under $75,000 pay zero with no loans). NY residents in SUNY-affiliated colleges save ~$24,000/year on tuition automatically.

Start with the aid policy. This research does not list a merit award. Check the school's financial aid options and application requirements; an empty award list is not proof that no aid is available.

Awards to discuss

No merit awards are listed in this research. Ask the school about need-based aid and any other funding options.

Ask before you decide

1. Which entering-year policy and residency category apply to us? What are the admission and scholarship deadlines?
2. What grades and credits are required to renew, and for how many terms?
3. How would other school awards or outside scholarships change the offer?

Recorded stacking policy: Outside scholarships reduce student loans and work-study dollar-for-dollar first. Only after self-help is fully eliminated may Cornell reduce institutional grants.

Our unanswered questions / Family notes

Keep the sources with the decision

Full research, award details and source context: https://meritplaybook.com/colleges/cornell/merit-aid

• Cornell stacking policy: https://www.finaid.cornell.edu/outside-scholarships
• Cornell Common Data Set: https://irp.dpb.cornell.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/CDS-2024-2025-v6-print.pdf
• Cornell cost-of-attendance worksheet: https://finaid.cornell.edu/cost-to-attend

The research date is not a guarantee that a policy still applies. Confirm current amounts, deadlines and conditions with the school before making a financial decision.