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Student Financial Services
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Pursuing a legal degree is an investment in your future. To prepare for this investment, it is important to make sure that you are financially ready to take on the costs associated with attendance.
Limiting your borrowing is ideal. Living frugally now will benefit you after graduation. By being proactive and making good decisions now, you can ensure manageable loan debt upon graduation.
Tuition and Expenses (Budget)
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2026-2027 JD Tuition and Estimated Living Costs Cost Tuition $87,908 Student Activity Fee $101 *Health Fee
$600 Housing $19,962 Food $5,768 Books and Supplies $2,464 Transportation $3,754 Loan Fee $246 Miscellaneous Personal $4,196 Total Estimated Cost of Attendance $124,999 *Note that the amount listed is the Cornell Student Health Fee. If elected, budgets may be increased to allow for the cost of the Cornell Student Health Plan. Health insurance is required for all students.
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2026-2027 LLM Tuition and Estimated Living Costs Cost Tuition $87,908 Student Activity Fee $101 *Health Fee
$600 Housing $19,962 Food $5,768 Books and Supplies $2,464 Transportation $3,754 Loan Fee $246 Miscellaneous Personal $4,196 Total Estimated Cost of Attendance $124,999 *Note that the amount listed is the Cornell Student Health Fee. If elected, budgets may be increased to allow for the cost of the Cornell Student Health Plan. Health insurance is required for all students.
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2026-2027 MSLS Tuition and Estimated Living Costs Fall Spring Summer *Tuition $13,992 $13,992 $13,992 Student Activity Fee $50 $51 – Housing $9,981 $9,981 $9,981 Food $2,884 $2,884 $2,8284 Books and Supplies $1,232 $1,232 $1,232 Transportation $1,877 $1,877 $1,877 Loan Fee $123 $123 – Miscellaneous Personal $2,098 $2,098 $2,098 Total Estimated Cost of Attendance $32,237 $32,238 $32,064 *Note that the amount listed is based on 6 credits. Budgets may be increased to allow for the cost of additional credits at $2,332 per credit.
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Cornell Law School will grant budget increases on a limited case-by-case basis.
A budget increase may be granted for the following:
- Medical expenses not covered by insurance
- Computer replacement costs (one time and not to exceed $2,000)
- Required book costs
These items may be considered on a case-by-case basis:
- Cost of living
- Travel
Please note that cost of living increases may not be approved. Do not count on receiving more funds than the published budget.
A budget increase will NOT be granted for:
- Car payments
- Consumer debt
- Furniture
- Summer living expenses
- Moving expenses
- Fall, Winter, and Spring break travel or trips
- Cell phones/internet service
- Sport and fitness club fees
If you need a budget increase, contact the financial aid office at law.financialaid@cornell.edu. You will need to provide documentation to support your request. Submission deadlines are mid-November for fall requests and mid-April for fall/spring or spring only requests. Budget Increase Request form can be found in the forms section.
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Tuition and university charges will be processed through the University Bursar. You should receive your first bill in mid-July and it will be due in early-August. Financial aid offered by Cornell Law School will show as pending aid on that bill. If you apply for a private loan before July 1, that amount will also be reflected on your bill.
If you signed up for direct deposit, your refund will be deposited into your account; otherwise, student refunds will be available at the Bursar Office located in Day Hall. Direct deposit is strongly recommended.
Applying for Financial Aid
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We strive to make the financial aid application process as straightforward as possible. It’s important to begin early and ensure you have all the required information and documentation ready.
The deadline to apply for the Cornell Law Scholarship is March 15.
Please submit one of the following applications to be considered for a Cornell Law Scholarship:
Scholarships: Merit-based
- Cornell Law School Merit-Only Scholarship Application (admitted students may access the application form at the link in their electronic admissions package)
Scholarships: Merit/Need-based
- Cornell Law School Merit & Need Scholarship Application (admitted students may access the application form at the link in their electronic admissions package)
- Submit the documents below to the Secure Upload Portal
- Parent 2024 federal tax return
- Student 2024 federal tax return
File a CSS Profile (campus code 2099)
Make sure to:
- Provide parental information.
Applications missing parental information will not be reviewed for scholarship consideration unless you have requested and received a waiver from the Financial Aid Office. - Apply by March 15.
Applications must be submitted by March 15, unless your admission decision is still pending on that date. If your decision is pending, a new deadline will be provided upon admission. Applications received after the deadline may be placed on hold. - Contact the Financial Aid Office if you encounter any issues or have questions.
Note:
An applicant is considered independent if they have not been claimed as a dependent on tax returns for the past six consecutive calendar years.If you believe you qualify for independent student status for scholarship purposes, please contact the Financial Aid Office to receive an Independent Student Certification Form.
FEDERAL LOANS
U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible to receive funding through the Federal Direct Loan program.
To apply for federal aid, please follow the steps below:
- File a FAFSA using school code 002711
Once you complete your FAFSA and your eligibility for federal aid has been determined:
- Visit www.studentaid.gov and sign the online promissory note
- Visit www.studentaid.gov and complete the online Entrance Counseling
- Accept, Reduce, or Decline your Direct Loan in Student Center
Upon completion, your financial aid file will be reviewed by the Financial Aid Committee. You will be notified via email with information about your financial aid award.
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Below are useful forms and documents regarding the process of researching and applying for financial aid at Cornell Law School:
- Scholarship Application (available in the Admitted Student Portal)
- Budget Increase Request
- Accept/Reduce/Decline Federal Direct Loan
- Federal Grad PLUS Loan Application
Funding Opportunities
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We know that planning how to fund your education is a big decision, especially with changes to the federal loan landscape taking effect July 1, 2026. Cornell Law Financial Aid has put together a helpful list of resources to guide you as you explore your options.
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Cornell Law School awards more than $18 million in institutional aid each year to new and returning students. More than 85% of Law School students receive scholarship assistance. To be considered for institutional aid, submit a Cornell Law School Scholarship Application (available in the Admitted Student Portal) by March 15.
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The Dean’s Scholarship is awarded annually to a select number of 1L J.D. students who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, intellectual curiosity, and a strong capacity to enrich the Cornell Law School community. Selection is highly competitive and reflects a holistic review of each recipient’s academic accomplishments, leadership experiences, professional promise, and overall contributions to the incoming class.
Recipients are awarded a full-tuition scholarship for up to six semesters of J.D. enrollment, provided they remain enrolled as full-time students in good academic standing. This award is intended to provide recipients with the financial freedom to pursue their academic and professional goals without undue economic burden, allowing them to fully engage in the intellectual life of the Law School.
The Dean’s Scholarship reflects Cornell Law School’s enduring commitment to attracting and supporting students of outstanding promise who will contribute thoughtfully and collaboratively to the classroom experience and broader community. Scholars are individuals who demonstrate not only academic excellence, but also leadership potential, integrity, and a dedication to advancing the study and practice of law in ways that strengthen institutions and serve society.
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Cornell Law School participates in the Federal Direct Lending Program which includes the Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan and the Graduate PLUS Loan.
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to qualify for the federal loans, Cornell University’s federal school code is 002711.
- Eligibility is limited to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
- The loan limit for the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan is $20,500 per academic year.
- The Graduate PLUS Loan limit is determined by the cost of attendance minus other financial aid received (scholarship and loan).
If you have requested a Federal Loan and have decided to attend Cornell Law School, it is now time to complete the necessary steps to accept and allow disbursement of funds.
- Please visit studentaid.gov and sign the online promissory note(s) necessary.
*Note: The Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loan and Graduate PLUS Loan have their own respective master promissory notes. - Please visit studentaid.gov and complete the online entrance counseling.
The graduate/professional entrance counseling covers both the Unsubsidized Direct Loan and the Graduate PLUS Loan.
To cancel or reduce funds, send an email to the financial aid office, listing the loan(s) and amount(s) that you would like to change.
It is important to note that while the fall portion of the loans will be listed on your first bill as anticipated aid, the funds will not be disbursed until 10 days prior to the first day of classes. As long as they are listed, they serve as credit and you are not responsible for the portion of the bill covered by your loans. It is important to make payment arrangements for the remaining amount.
Please understand that if you have not signed the promissory note or completed the entrance counseling requirements for your loans, your loans will not disburse. The promissory note and entrance counseling are valid for ten years at Cornell. You do not need to redo this process every year. You will however need to complete this process if you signed for a specific loan and it never disbursed. This would mean that if it is the first time you are receiving the loan, you need to complete the entrance counseling and promissory note.
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Private and Graduate PLUS Loans can help students cover any remaining costs not met by other forms of financial aid, including the expected family contribution. The total amount you can borrow is limited to the cost of attendance, as determined by Cornell Law School, minus any other aid received. Each year, the Financial Aid Office sets an individual borrowing limit for every student.
Keep in mind that private lenders may impose their own borrowing caps, which could affect how much you can receive. Additionally, eligibility and interest rates for private loans are based on your credit history, so it’s important to review your credit report before applying.
Preferred Lending List
Student Loan Code of Conduct
Neutral Lending List
Graduate PLUS Loan Application
Annual Credit Report -
Law Preview Scholarships Sponsored by Clifford Chance and Morrison & Foerster
Top law firms understand that their lawyers must be diverse to best serve their clients. That is why many top 100 law firms have invested heavily to improve diversity among practicing attorneys and the legal community in general. These law firms understand that improving diversity in the legal profession requires more than just hiring and promoting diverse attorneys within their firms. It also requires a sustained commitment to increasing the pipeline of diverse students who earn strong grades in law school and are, therefore, positioned to compete for the most sought-after jobs and become the profession’s next generation of leaders and decision-makers.
Law Preview (the nation’s largest law school prep course) has teamed up with Clifford Chance and Morrison & Foerster (two of the world’s most prominent law firms) to provide Law Preview Scholarships to select members of our entering class. Clifford Chance and Morrison & Foerster have generously agreed to help entering students prepare for the unique challenges they will face during their 1L year at Cornell Law by paying the cost of tuition for a law school prep course. See if you meet the scholarship criteria.
Other Scholarship Opportunities
- American Bar Association (ABA)-Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund
Award: Varies - Rhode Island Bar Foundation – Thomas F. Black, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund
The American Bar Association also has a list of scholarship links.
Students may want to take advantage of free online scholarship search services including Fastweb, College Answer, and College Board. Beware of any service that asks for money or credit card information before conducting the scholarship search.
You can also check with the NAACP Defense and Educational Fund, Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund, the Japanese American Citizens League, Hawaiian Community Foundation, and the Asian American Defense and Educational Fund.
We have compiled this list solely to serve as a resource for use in researching possible funding sources for your legal education. We have made a good faith effort to list programs we are aware of. This list is not comprehensive, and there may be other sources to consider. Also, we are not in a position to vouch for any aspect of the listed programs or their particular funding mechanisms, and our list should not be seen as any kind of endorsement of these programs or their sponsors.
- American Bar Association (ABA)-Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund
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Outside scholarships are scholarships offered to a student by an agency, state, or civic association. Outside scholarships are paid to students through the Cornell Law Financial Aid Office. These scholarships reduce borrowing; however, on rare occasions, they may impact institutional grants, so it is important to disclose all outside scholarships you will be receiving. If you are interested in such scholarships, please review the list below. Please note that this is just a sampling of scholarships available to students. It is important to use your resources: college graduate school advisor, the internet, civic associations, local libraries, and bar associations. In addition, we send out information via email notifying our students of other possible outside scholarship opportunities.
FAQ
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Q: What types of Law School scholarships are available to students?
A: Cornell Law School awards over $18 million in institutional aid annually to new and returning students. The majority of Law School students receive a scholarship. Scholarships are generally three-year awards. We do not reassess scholarship in years two and three of law study.
Q: What if my parents are unwilling to help?
A: Cornell Law School requires parental information to calculate institutional aid. Without this information, we will not be able to offer a need-based scholarship. Parents’ information is used only as a tool, and Cornell Law School does not expect parent contribution towards your education.
Q: What if I am an independent student?
A: Students recognized as independent by the Financial Aid Office and who receive a dependency waiver will not need to provide parent information. All students are considered dependent unless they receive a dependency waiver. Petitions for dependency waivers should be filed before April 1.
Dependency Waiver factors considered, but not limited to:
- Has the applicant been claimed as a dependent by anyone in the last six years?
- Has the applicant lived with parents in the last six years?
- Has the applicant received monetary gifts or financial support in excess of $1,000.00 in the last six years?
All graduate students are considered independent when applying for federal loans.
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Q: What happens to my institutional aid if I receive an outside scholarship?
A: Cornell Law School will reduce your loans in the amount of the outside scholarship if necessary. In some cases, scholarship adjustment may be necessary.
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Q: What kind of Federal Aid can I receive as a law student?
A: Law students are eligible for federal loans if a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Each year a student may receive $20,500 in the Federal Direct Loan Program. Graduate PLUS Loans are also available to eligible students up to the cost of attendance established for the academic year.
Q: How do I apply for these Federal Loans?
A: Each year you must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to be eligible for federal loans. The Cornell University school code is 002711. If selected, you may need to submit Federal Verification requirements before federal aid can be disbursed to your Bursar account.
Q: What happens next?
A: Once your FAFSA is received by the school and any verification requirements have been met, the Financial Aid Office will verify your eligibility and offer the appropriate loans.
Q: I remember receiving Federal Loans at my undergraduate institution, but I applied through a third party. Do I need to do that here?
A: No, Cornell Law School is a direct lending institution. We will verify your eligibility and award you the loan directly. Once you have elected to attend Cornell, you will be required to complete a Master Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling. Even if you have completed this for another institution, it still needs to be completed for Cornell.
Q: What is a Master Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling?
A: A Master Promissory Note (MPN) is a binding contract signed by you when obtaining a student loan. You should read all the information carefully and remember that this is a contract with the lender. The promissory note can be found on www.studentloans.gov.
Entrance counseling is a listing of your rights and responsibilities as a borrower. There is a short quiz that must be completed. The Entrance Counseling session can be found by logging on to www.studentloans.gov.
Q: Why are these two items important?
A: If you have not signed the MPN and completed the Entrance Counseling session, the Law School cannot release your Federal Aid.
Q: When should I complete this process?
A: Please sign the MPN and complete the Entrance Counseling session once you have decided to enroll and have paid the full deposit. This will need to be done even if you have already completed it for another law school.
Q: How long is an MPN and Entrance Counseling valid?
A: All approved Master Promissory Notes and Entrance Counseling sessions remain on file for 10 years. If you are a Cornell graduate and have borrowed through Cornell, you should not need to complete another promissory note unless it has been more than 10 years since you signed it.
Q: Does one Entrance Counseling apply for all Federal Loans?
A: Yes. To fulfill this requirement you have two options: there is a combination Entrance Counseling option which covers the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan and the Graduate PLUS Loan or you can complete one Entrance Counseling session for the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan and one for the Graduate PLUS Loan.
Q: Does one MPN apply for all Federal Loans?
A: No, the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan has its own promissory note. The Perkins Loan, given in the second year, has its own MPN that must be signed. The Graduate PLUS Loan has its own promissory note as well.
The promissory notes for the Direct Unsubsidized and the Graduate PLUS Loans can be found at www.studentloans.gov
Q: Will my federal loans cover my tuition?
A: Yes, but students are only eligible for $20,500 per year in the Federal Direct Loan Program. You will most likely need to round out your aid package with the Graduate PLUS Loan, which can be taken out up to the cost of attendance established for the academic year.
Q: How do I receive a Federal Graduate PLUS Loan?
A: To apply for a Graduate PLUS Loan, download the application from the Cornell Law School website and mail or fax the completed form to the Financial Aid Office. You then need to complete the Graduate PLUS Loan Master Promissory Note found on www.studentloans.gov.
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Q: How do I apply for alternative loans?
A: Many alternative lenders have internet and telephone application processes.
Q: When should I apply?
A: You should apply for alternative loans after you have paid your final deposit.
Q: Do lenders pull credit reports?
A: Yes. A lender will determine whether or not they want to lend to you based on your credit history. If you think your credit might be an issue, pull your credit report and make any corrections you can. The Graduate PLUS loan program has more flexible credit requirements.
To receive a copy of your credit report, go to one of these websites:
Q: If I am turned down for a loan, can I borrow from Cornell, or can Cornell Law School secure a loan for me?
A: No, Cornell Law School does not have an internal lending program. If you are turned down for a loan, we cannot secure a loan for you.
Q: I’ve picked a lender, but I am not sure how much I should apply for.
A: The quickest way to figure out the maximum amount allowable is to take the cost of attendance for the year and subtract your grant, federal loans, and any outside scholarships that you will receive.
For example: the John Doe’s Award
John Doe may apply for no more than $54,136 for the academic year. Please note that private loans must be renewed with the lender each year. Graduate PLUS Loans must be renewed with the Cornell Law School Financial Aid office each year.
Sample Award Tuition. JD Cost of attendance 2024-2025 $109,636 Cornell Law Scholarship -$30,000 Direct Federal Loan (Unsubsidized) -$20,500 Outside scholarship -$5,000 Total $54,136Q: What if I need more?
A: If you think that you will need more funds, please contact the Financial Aid Office. Loans will only be approved up to the cost of attendance unless you have made an arrangement with the office.
Q: What if I exceed this budget?
A: On a limited basis, the Financial Aid Review Committee may accept budget increases with proper documentation. Any increase to a student’s budget will be funded through the Grad PLUS or private educational loans only. Submission deadlines are mid-November for fall requests and mid-April for fall/spring or spring only requests, please see the Budget Increase Request form in the forms section for specific dates.
Q: What items may be considered in a budget increase?
A: The following items may be considered:
- Medical expenses not covered by insurance
- Computer replacement costs (one time and not to exceed $2,000)
- Required book costs
These items may be considered on a case by case basis.
- Cost of living
- Travel
Please note that cost of living increases may not be approved. Do not count on receiving more funds than the published budget.
A budget increase will NOT be granted for:
- Car payments
- Consumer debt
- Furniture
- Summer living expenses
- Moving expenses
- Fall, Winter, and Spring break travel or trips
- Cell phones/internet services
- Sport and fitness club fees
Q: How do I live within my Budget?
- Look carefully at your budget and figure out how much you have to spend each month. Add the room and board to the personal costs, then divide it by 9 months. This should result in a total of $2,400 per month to cover expenses. If you know that these funds will need to cover you for 12 months, you must budget for $1,800 a month.
- Find affordable housing. There are buses that travel around the campus and the city of Ithaca that can be used by Cornell Law School students. This will help keep your expenses down.
Q: Why is it important to budget?
A: Every budget increase to your loan is unsubsidized. This means that you are accruing interest throughout the year on your loan. If you budget wisely and live within your means, you can minimize your future payments.
Q: Now that I have my aid and I am enrolled, how do I access those funds?
A: Once you are enrolled, your loans are approved, and you’ve completed the appropriate paperwork, your aid will credit to your bursar bill no earlier than 10 days before classes begin. Once these funds cover items that have been charged to your bursar bill (tuition, fees, and health insurance), a refund will be issued to you. If your aid does not exceed your bill, no refund will be issued.
Students can sign up for direct deposit with the bursar and receive their funds electronically. This must be done several weeks before classes begin. If you are interested in direct depositing, you can find additional information on the University Bursar’s website.
Q: How do I know if I have a refund?
A: The easiest way to check to see if a refund has been processed for you is to log into your student center at www.studentcenter.cornell.edu and look at your account activity. If a refund has been processed for you, you will see the amount in the refund column.
Q: When will I be charged tuition?
A: Students receive their first bill in July (fall bill). Tuition will be charged to your bill at that time. Students will receive their spring bill the first week in December.
Q: What do I do if I am covering all costs with loans that will not pay until August?
A: Don’t worry. If you applied for your loans before July and you have completed your FAFSA, your bursar account will indicate that you have pending aid and you will not be charged late fees, provided your pending aid covers your charges. The same is true for spring aid. If you have applied for your spring aid before December, your bursar account will indicate that you have pending aid and you will not be charged late fees if your pending aid will cover all your charges.
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Q: What items do I need to save?
A: It is important that you start a financial aid file. In it, keep your award letter, letters coming from the federal government, and all bursar statements. This should help with taxes and repayment after graduation.
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Q: Can international J.D. candidates apply for financial aid?
A: International candidates for the J.D. program are not eligible for need-based financial aid. For scholarship consideration, international candidates must complete a Scholarship Application (available in the Admitted Student Portal).
Applicants needing loans may also apply for a private student loan. However, most loans will require a U.S. cosigner with significant credit history. Cornell Law cannot assist in securing a student loan.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
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This SAP policy relates to Cornell Law School (Law School) students who apply for and/or receive federal financial aid. In addition to meeting the standards for receiving financial aid, students must also meet the academic standards of the Law School. Academic standards can be found in the Law School’s Student Handbook.
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Federal regulations (General Provision CRF 668.1) require that Cornell University review the academic progress of students who apply for and/or receive financial assistance. SAP is comprised of three areas as required by federal regulations. A student must complete their degree within the specified maximum time frame, demonstrate they are making progress towards the completion of their degree at a pace that will ensure graduation within the maximum time frame, and achieve a GPA that is consistent with graduation requirements. This regulation applies to each financial aid applicant, whether a previous recipient or not.
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Annual financial aid SAP evaluations will be completed by the Law School’s Financial Aid Office at the end of each academic year and cannot take place until final grades have been posted. This review will determine academic eligibility for the upcoming summer, fall, and/or spring terms. Every student who applies for financial aid must maintain SAP, regardless of whether they are a first-time applicant or have received financial aid in the past. Any financial assistance offered for the next year is subject to cancellation if the minimum standards of SAP have not been met.
When a student returns from a period of non-attendance from Cornell Law School, all prior academic activity will be included in future SAP evaluations.
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Cornell Law School adheres to the New York State Board of Law Examiners Instructional, Credit Hour, and Course of Study Requirements. Program and course of study at the Law School must be completed no earlier than 24 months and no later than 60 months after the commencement of all law study.
Federal regulations specify that a student must complete his/her degree within 150 percent of the published length of the program to be eligible for federal aid funding. The maximum time frame at Cornell Law is measured in credit hours. For example, the J.D. program requires 84 credit hours to graduate, the maximum time frame for degree completion is 126 attempted credits (150% of 84 credit hours).
Whether or not a student receives financial aid, the credit hours considered in the maximum time frame for degree calculation are all attempted credits. Attempted credits include:
• Earned credits – Passed (A through D-), Satisfactory (S)
• Repeated courses – both attempts
• Withdrawal
• Failures – Failed (F), Unsatisfactory (U)
• Incomplete
• All accepted transfer credits (including consortium agreements and study abroad courses) toward the degree programFederal regulations do not allow for the exclusion of courses in which a student has remained past the drop period and earned a grade of ‘W” from its calculation of the maximum time frame.
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Federal regulations require that a student must progress through their program at a pace that will ensure graduation within the maximum timeframe. Progress is measured for students cumulatively and is calculated using standard rounding rules. In order to graduate within the maximum timeframe, a student must earn at least 67 percent of their attempted credits.
Earned credit hours include:
• Grades of A through D- or S (with credit)
• Transferred credits – provided they meet degree requirements -
Federal regulations require the student meet a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA). Credits that have been transferred to the Law School are excluded from the degree GPA. For purposes of this regulation, the degree GPA will be used. Earned letter grades of A, B, C, D, and F (including repeated courses) are counted toward GPA. INC (incomplete), W (withdrawal), S/U (satisfactory/unsatisfactory), and GPA from transfer credits are not counted towards GPA.
Treatment of Multiple Degrees and Special Situations
Major Changes: All attempted coursework is included in the SAP calculation, regardless of a student changing majors. Coursework is only excluded if a student changes academic careers.
Academic Amnesty/Expulsion: Title IV regulations do not allow for academic amnesty or expulsion of grades. All courses applicable to a student’s major are included when evaluating SAP.
PE Coursework: Excluded from SAP evaluations and not eligible for federal aid.
Audited Coursework: Excluded from SAP evaluations and not eligible for federal aid.
Remedial Coursework: Does not occur at the graduate or professional level at Cornell and as a result, has no impact on SAP.
Failing to Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress
Students failing to meet SAP standards will lose their financial aid eligibility. The Law School’s Financial Aid Office will notify them in writing.
Students terminated from receiving financial aid can reestablish eligibility by successfully completing the required number of credit hours and by attaining the overall required grade point average by the end of the next semester. Neither paying for one’s classes nor sitting out a semester is sufficient to reestablish financial aid eligibility for a student who has failed to meet SAP. If special or unusual circumstances contributed to a student’s lack of satisfactory academic progress, the student may appeal the denial of financial aid.
Appeal Process
The letter of denial from the Law School’s Financial Aid Office will describe the appeal process and a link to the appeal form will be provided. This form provides the opportunity to appeal for reinstatement of your student aid eligibility. This form should only be completed if you have encountered extenuating circumstances that prohibited you from meeting financial aid satisfactory academic progress.
Valid reasons for a SAP appeal include death of a relative, an injury or illness or other extenuating circumstances. Circumstances related to an outbreak of COVID-19, including, but not limited to, the illness of a student or family member, compliance with a quarantine period, or the general disruption resulting from such an outbreak will also be considered under extenuating circumstances. Lack of awareness of withdrawal policies or requirements for financial aid satisfactory academic progress are not acceptable reasons to appeal.
The appeal must explain why the student failed to make SAP and what has changed in the situation that will allow the student to make SAP at the next evaluation. The Law School’s Financial Aid Office may request additional documentation at any point while evaluating an appeal. Documentation examples include, but are not limited to a letter from a doctor, medical care provider, or objective third party (e.g. a minister, social worker, counselor, facilitator, or other professional) that supports the student’s situation.
The appeal must be submitted to the Law School’s Financial Aid Office for evaluation. The Law School’s Financial Aid Office will respond to the appeal in writing within two weeks of receiving the complete appeal.
If the appeal is approved, the student’s financial aid will be reinstated for one semester. By the end of that semester, the student must have successfully completed the required number of credit hours and attained the overall required grade point average. Students who fail to make SAP by the end of that semester will have their future financial aid eligibility terminated.
If the appeal is denied by the Financial Aid Office, the student will be notified by email of the decision. This notification will also make the student aware of their opportunity to respond and provide more information and documentation regarding their extenuating circumstances, if applicable. While there is no official appeal deadline, all information should be submitted during the term the student is seeking aid, and not after.
Federal regulations prevent a student from submitting the same appeal two semesters in a row. However, there is no limit to the number of appeals a student may submit if they can document additional circumstances that are preventing the student from making SAP. Similarly, there is no limit to the number of semesters a student can be on financial aid probation as long as an approved appeal or academic plan is in place and the student continues to make progress toward their degree.