J.D. Tuition and Financial Aid

*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.

*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.

*Note that the amount listed is based on 6 credits. Budgets may be increased to allow for the cost of additional credits at $2,265 per credit.

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.

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.

It is important to start early, and to compile all the required information and documentation when applying for financial aid.

The scholarship priority deadline is March 15. 

Submit the following required documents:

Scholarships: Merit/Need

• Cornell Law School Scholarship Application
• Parent 2023 federal tax return
• Student 2023 federal tax return
• File a CSS Profile (campus code 2099)

Scholarships: Merit-based

• Cornell Law School Scholarship Application

Financial Aid processing will be incomplete if:

• Apply no later than March 15. New applications received after March 15 may be placed on hold pending available funds.

NOTE: An applicant is considered independent if he/she has not been claimed on his/her parents’ taxes for the past six consecutive calendar years. Contact the Financial Aid Office if you qualify for independent student status.

Federal Loans

U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible for up to $20,500 annually under the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan program. Additionally, you may be eligible to receive a Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan to cover the remaining educational costs. To apply for federal aid:

• Complete FAFSA (school code 002711)

Once your eligibility for federal loans has been determined:

• Sign online promissory note(s) at studentloans.gov
  • Note: the Unsubsidized Loan and the Graduate PLUS Loan (Grad PLUS) have separate promissory notes.
• Visit studentloans.gov and complete the online Entrance Counseling
  • You have two options:
    • Combined entrance counseling option which covers the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan and the Graduate Plus Loan,or
    • Complete separate entrance counseling sessions for the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan and Grad Plus.
• Submit a Cornell Law School Federal Loan Application

Once complete, our financial aid committee will communicate aid decisions via email.

Below are useful forms and documents regarding the process of researching and applying for financial aid at Cornell Law School:

• Scholarship Application
• Budget Increase Request
• Accept/Reduce/Decline Federal Direct Loan
• Federal Grad PLUS Loan Application

• Free Application for Federal Student Aid
• Federal Student Loan Home Page
• Alternative Loans and Financing
• Fastweb (free scholarship search site)
• Cornell University Student Health Insurance
• Calculators– Direct Loan
• Internal Revenue Service
• Free Annual Credit Report
• Equifax
• Experian
• Trans Union

We are pleased to invite admitted students to apply for Cornell Law School’s most prestigious merit scholarship named in honor of Charles Evans Hughes, a former Cornell Law School faculty member and governor of New York State. Hughes was a philanthropist, politician, conservationist, and educator. Throughout his career, he moved between the private and public sectors, holding office at the highest levels of state and federal government. He was an early 20th Century visionary — a lawyer in the best sense.

For consideration, complete and submit:

• Statement of Purpose – A one- to two-page narrative in a format of your choice submitted as a Word or PDF attachment. The statement should include a narrative of your personal and professional aspirations and how being a CEHS scholar will help effectuate your goals; and
• The Cornell Law School Scholarship Application.

The application deadline for CEHS is February 21, 2025. Finalists will be notified by email on February 26, 2025. In-person interviews will take place on March 13 and 14, 2025.

You may email your application to law.financialaid@cornell.edu, or submit it by fax to (607) 255-4656. You should reference the CEHS Application in the subject line.

*If you have already received a scholarship and are subsequently awarded the Charles E. Hughes scholarship, the Hughes scholarship will supersede all previous scholarship offers.

About Charles Evans Hughes

Charles Evans Hughes, the man for whom Hughes Hall is named, joined the Cornell Law School faculty in 1891 when the school was just five years old — Hughes was twenty-nine. He graduated from Brown University and went to law school at Columbia before coming to teach at Cornell. One of his first students, Myron C. Taylor, would later look back on Hughes as an early mentor.

After just two years, Hughes was forced to return to private law practice in New York City to better support his young family — and perhaps because his father-in-law, an eminent lawyer, thought serving on the Cornell faculty was “a grave mistake.” He worried about his grandchildren being raised in a “one-horse town like Ithaca.”

In 1906, with backing from fellow Republican Theodore Roosevelt, Hughes defeated famed publisher William Randolph Hearst for the office of governor of New York, an office he held for two terms. He resigned as governor in 1910 to accept a position as an associate justice of the United States Supreme Court, then stepped down from the court in 1916 to make a bid for the presidency. He was narrowly defeated by incumbent Woodrow Wilson.

After serving as Secretary of State from 1921 to 1925, he was nominated in 1930 by President Herbert Hoover to serve as Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. When Franklin D. Roosevelt became president, Chief Justice Hughes led a fractious and controversial court in numerous confrontations between the judicial and executive branches involving much of the president’s New Deal legislation.

Known as a master of consensus-building, Hughes was a prolific and talented writer, penning twice as many opinions as any of his contemporaries on the Supreme Court. Retiring from the court in 1941, he died in 1948. When it came time to name the Law School’s new residence center, Myron Taylor expressed his wish to honor the life and career of his former teacher.

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 by March 15.

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.

Private or Graduate PLUS Loans allow students to round out their aid packages by covering the unmet need or family contribution. Loan limits are determined by the cost of attendance, as determined by the law school, less all other aid. The Cornell Law School Financial Aid Office determines the yearly borrowing limit for each student. Private lenders often have a debt ceiling that can impact the amount a student is eligible to borrow. Private loan interest rates and borrowing eligibility are based upon an applicant’s credit rating. It is therefore vital that you review your credit history before applying for these loans.

Graduate PLUS loan applicants will have their credit checked for approval only.

If you are looking to apply for a Graduate PLUS Loan to cover your unmet need or family contribution please download the application form, located in the forms section of the website, and turn it into our financial aid office for processing.

Also, if you have not done so already, please complete the Graduate PLUS Loan Master Promissory note found on the Federal Direct Lending website.

Visit our neutral lending list.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

• Equifax
• Experian
• TransUnion

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.

Q: 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 program

Federal 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.

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.

Cornell Law School has a long-standing commitment to supporting students and graduates who wish to pursue careers in the public interest. A key component of this commitment is our Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP). Recognizing the pressures created by high educational debt, through LRAP the Law School provides generous loan repayment assistance to J.D. graduates working in the public interest.

LRAP participants may receive up to 10 years of loan repayment assistance, as long as they meet program eligibility requirements. Additionally, at the end of the 10 year period (totaling 120 payments), as long as qualifying payments have been made to the student’s loan servicer, the remaining loan balance is forgiven by the federal government.

Participants must be working domestically or internationally in jobs with federal, state, or local government entities, nonprofit organizations, labor unions, or public interest law firms. The job must either require a J.D. degree, or be law related, meaning that it substantially utilizes the legal training and skills learned in law school. A graduate will qualify on a deferred basis if she engages in a one-year post-graduate judicial clerkship, and subsequently engages in qualifying employment, meeting all requirements for LRAP eligibility. Note the definition of eligible employment under LRAP is more inclusive than the definition of eligible employment for purposes of federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness. See “Frequently Asked Questions” for details.

All federal subsidized, unsubsidized, Grad Plus, and Perkins loans are eligible for the program. Private bar study loans up to $10,000 are also eligible.

Participants in the program with income of $120,000 or less can receive benefits covering 100% of their calculated loan payments. The program also allows benefits for salaries up to $150,000.  For salaries above $120,000 up to $150,000, participants will incur a 10% student contribution deducted from their benefit.  Only participant’s income as reported by their employer is counted as income for purposes of determining the LRAP award.

Participants will receive an award equal to the amount of their total eligible yearly IBR, SAVE, or PAYE payments plus the annual payment due on bar study loans up to $10,000. Participants are not required to place their loans in IBR, SAVE, or PAYE. However, awards will be calculated as if the loans are in IBR, SAVE, or PAYE. The Law School has the discretion to cap annual awards at $15,000. Awards are based upon monthly loan payments at the time of the application submission. Changes to monthly loan payments, as determined by the loan servicer, will not result in an adjustment to a LRAP award.

Graduates may participate in the LRAP program for a maximum of 10 years. The 10 years need not be consecutive.

Participants must apply on an annual basis, as award amounts are recalculated each year. All application materials are due December 1. Those approved for a LRAP award will receive a promissory note, which must be completed and returned to the Financial Aid Office within 30 days of receipt of notification.

Required Materials

• LRAP Application
• Employer Certification

Nature of the Award

The LRAP award will be made in the form of a loan to the participant that is disbursed in two equal installments in January and July and forgiven at the end of the year. Assistance under this plan may be non-taxable under 26 U.S.C. 108 (F) for participants who work for government entities or 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organizations.

Q: How do I apply for LRAP assistance?

A: Complete the LRAP application and return it to the Admissions and Financial Aid Office of the law school along with the required supporting documents. The application and supporting documents should be returned via email to law.financialaid@cornell.edu or faxed to 607-255-4656.

Q: What is the application deadline?

A: Applications, and supporting documents, are due by December 1st to receive LRAP benefits for the following calendar year. Even if you begin your public service early in the year, the application deadline remains the same.

Q: How do you determine if my job qualifies as eligible employment? How do you determine if my job is law-related?

A: The Financial Aid Office and the Public Service Committee will review LRAP applications and determine eligibility. They will review your job description to confirm that the work is law related, and that you are working at an eligible organization.

Q: Do I need to be employed full time?

A: No. LRAP covers half-time employment on a pro-rata basis. Be advised that any time spent in less than full-time employment does not count for purposes of federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

Q: I am on a one-year fellowship. Am I eligible?

A: Yes, so long as the substance of the fellowship otherwise falls within the definition of eligible employment. Graduates receiving funding through the Law School’s Graduate Fellowship Grant program are eligible for LRAP assistance. Any graduate awarded a Frank H.T. Rhodes Public Interest Fellowship through the Law School is eligible for LRAP assistance.

Q: Do judicial clerkships qualify?

A: If you engage in a one-year post-graduate judicial clerkship, and subsequently engage in qualifying public interest employment, the Law School will retroactively award LRAP benefits to you for your clerkship year. Be aware that you must meet all eligibility requirements regarding post-clerkship employment (e.g., qualifying employer, income eligibility, etc.).

Q: Do jobs with private law firms qualify?

A: No, jobs with private law firms are not considered qualifying employment.

Q: Is there an income cap?

A: Yes. Participants in the program with income of $120,000 or less can receive benefits covering 100% of their calculated loan payments. The program also allows benefits for salaries up to $150,000. For salaries above $120,000 up to $150,000, participants will incur a 10% student contribution deducted from their benefit. Only participant’s income as reported by their employer is counted as income for purposes of determining the LRAP award.

Q: How do you calculate my income?

A: The income used for eligibility is your salary as reported by your employer, not the Adjusted Gross Income reported on your federal tax return.

Q: If I am married, is my spouse’s income considered?

A: Spousal income is not considered for the income cap as it relates to LRAP eligibility. However, spousal income is typically considered by your federal loan servicer when calculating your IBR, SAVE, or PAYE payments.

Q: Can I receive LRAP assistance for all of my federal student loans?

A: Yes. All subsidized, unsubsidized, Grad Plus, and Perkins loans are eligible for LRAP assistance.

Q: Must I enroll in IBR, SAVE, or PAYE to receive LRAP assistance?

A: No, but we strongly recommend that you do so. IBR, SAVE, or PAYE can help make your monthly loan payments more affordable by basing them on your income and family size. Which plan pertains to you depends upon the year you took out your first federal loan. Whether or not you enroll in IBR, SAVE, or PAYE, your LRAP award will be calculated based on the payments you would owe in IBR, SAVE, or PAYE. Thus, if you choose not to enroll in IBR, SAVE, or PAYE, you will be responsible, out of pocket, for the difference between your monthly payment plan and the calculated IBR, SAVE, or PAYE monthly payment amount.

Q: Where can I find out more about my federal student loans, IBR, SAVE, and PAYE?

A: Your loan servicer can determine your monthly IBR, SAVE, or PAYE loan payment amount. If you are unsure who your loan servicer is, you can find this information at https://studentaid.gov/, or you can call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-900-4-FED-AID. To enroll in IBR, SAVE, or PAYE, you must submit an Income-Driven Repayment Plan Request at https://studentaid.gov/. Consult the Law School’s Admissions and Financial Aid Counselor for assistance.

Q: Are any other loans covered?

A: Private bar study loans up to $10,000 are covered.

Q: How much of my yearly loan payment will be covered by the Law School?

A: Each year that you work full-time in a qualifying position, and earn an income less than the salary cap, LRAP will cover the full amount of your IBR, SAVE, or PAYE payment. Additionally, your annual payment due on a bar study loan of up to $10,000 will be included in your LRAP award.

Q: How long can I be enrolled in LRAP?

A: The Law School will assist you for up to a total of 10 years. The 10 years do not need to be consecutive. You do not need to enter the LRAP program immediately following graduation, and you may exit and re-enter the program.

Q: How will I know if I am receiving a LRAP award?

A: You will receive an email from the Financial Aid Office by December 28 containing your award letter and a promissory note. Your signed and notarized promissory note must be returned to the financial aid office within 30 days of your award notification in order to receive your LRAP funds for the year. Please note that changes to your monthly loan payments, as determined by the loan servicer, after submission of your LRAP application will not result in an adjustment to your LRAP award.

Q: When will I receive my award?

A: Your award will be made in the form of a loan disbursed in two equal installments in January and July. The loan is then forgiven at the end of the calendar year, upon receipt of proof of monthly loan payments made for the previous 12 months.

Q: Who should I contact if I have questions about my LRAP application or award?

A: Cornell Law School’s Admissions and Financial Aid Office, at 607-255-5141 or law.financialaid@cornell.edu.

Q: What is Public Service Loan Forgiveness?

A: Through the U.S. Department of Education, borrowers who make 120 qualifying loan payments based on income, while working in qualifying public service, are eligible for forgiveness for any remaining balance-Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). To be eligible for PSLF, you must make 120 loan payments on loans that are eligible for IBR, SAVE, or PAYE. Additionally, you must be working in eligible employment. The definition of “eligible employment” for PSLF is more restrictive than that for receiving a LRAP grant. The PSLF definition excludes “labor unions, partisan political organizations, non-profit organizations engaged in religious instruction, worship services or any form of proselytizing.” Additionally, work overseas must be for a U.S. nonprofit organization or a U.S. government employer. For more information about Income-Driven Repayment Plans and Public Service Loan Forgiveness, see https://studentaid.gov/articles/category/loan-repayment/.

Q: What if I need to take time off from public interest work?

A: LRAP allows you to enter and exit the program at any time during your ten years of eligibility.

Q: What if I am taking parental leave?

A: A parental leave includes the birth of a child and/or care for the newborn child within one year of birth, the placement with the participant of a child for adoption or foster care, and to care for the newly placed child within one year of placement. LRAP provides two options for parental leave, a) If you take 12 weeks of parental leave in a calendar year, you may receive LRAP benefits for that year; or, b) If you take more than 12 weeks of parental leave in a calendar year, you are ineligible for LRAP benefits that year. However, you will be granted an additional year of LRAP eligibility.

Q: What if I elect to discontinue my career in public service?

A: You will no longer be eligible to receive LRAP payments, and you may have to repay funds provided to you during a time you were no longer engaged in qualifying employment. If you are enrolled in PSLF and leave public service before the completion of the 120 payments, your debt will not be forgiven. Further, interest accrual can be substantial depending on how long you carry the debt.

Q: If I change jobs, what do I do?

A: Any changes to your employment or loan situation must be reported to the Financial Aid Office, in writing, within 15 days. Send a written notice to law.financialaid@cornell.edu.

Q: If I am receiving LRAP benefits and the government ends IBR, what will happen to my LRAP Award?

A: Both PSFL and IBR are subject to periodic federal review. Should there be changes in federal policy, the Law School’s LRAP program will be adjusted accordingly.