Bursar, Tuition, and Billing

Tuition for Academic Year 2024-2025

Undergraduate Tuition

*Regular session rate per credit hour. Special Programs rates may vary.

Admission application fees and forms may be found at www.cornell.edu/admissions.

The amount, time, and manner of payment of tuition, fees, or other charges may be changed at any time without notice. Additional fee information including additional programs, special programs, departmental expenses, housing and dining costs, fraternity and sorority fees, transportation, fitness center, health insurance, and CIT service costs is available at www.bursar.cornell.edu.

* Residency status is determined at the time of admission by the college. Change in residency status is determined by the university bursar following matriculation. The deadline for submission of requests for the Fall 2024 semester is June 1, 2024. The deadline for the Spring 2025 semester is November 1, 2024. Further information and an application can be found at www.bursar.cornell.edu.

Other Costs

In addition to the fees outlined above, there are other costs associated with attending Cornell including room, board, books and supplies.  

Tuition Refund Policy

Amounts personally paid for tuition may be refunded if the student requests a leave of absence or withdrawal from the office of the dean of his or her college of enrollment. The date of this request will determine the tuition liability for the semester. All students refer to the “Proration Schedule for Withdrawals and Leaves of Absence” below.

Repayment policy. Students receiving financial aid from the university who withdraw during a semester will have their aid reevaluated, possibly necessitating repayment of a portion of aid received. Repayment to aid accounts depends on the type of aid received, government regulations, and the period of time in attendance. Cornell is authorized to offset any credit balances against any debts owed by the student to the university.

Students enrolled in classes which begin before the official “Instruction Begins” date on the academic calendar will have their refund percentages adjusted according to the day ranges listed after the date ranges. The day ranges are calendar days that include weekends and holidays.

Proration Schedule for Withdrawals and Leaves of Absence*

This schedule is based on the 2024-2025 academic year instructional calendar as of March 31, 2024. Any changes to the instructional calendar may necessitate changes to the proration schedule as well. The most up-to-date proration schedule can always be found at Leaving and Withdrawing.

Fall 2024 and Spring 2025

*NOTE: Special programs, such as Cornell Abroad and Executive MBA, may follow their own tuition refund policies for withdrawals and leaves of absence. Please refer to the appropriate program office for details regarding those policies.

Billing and Payment

Billing

The Office of the Bursar bills Cornell students twelve times each year. Electronic billing (E-billing) is the official method of billing. Paper bills will not be sent. Bills containing tuition and fees for each semester are typically generated in July for fall and January for spring. It is possible that some charges will not be listed on the first bill and will appear on a subsequent monthly bill. A student must be prepared to pay any charges appearing on a subsequent bill even though the student receives a financial aid stipend before the charges are billed.

To avoid finance charges and enrollment holds, payment must be received each month by the billing due date. Bills are generated on the second Friday of the month and balances are due on the seventh day of the following month.

The Office of the Bursar conducts all business directly with the student. Monthly charges, as well as any awards, grants, scholarships, and loans, are listed and billed under the student’s name. Refund checks and direct deposit refunds are also drawn in the name of the student. Cornell is also authorized to offset any credit balances against any debts owed by the student to the university. All Bursar communications and most university communications to students are sent via email. It is important for students to check their Cornell email regularly for important information.

Payments

The Office of the Bursar acts as a clearinghouse for student charges and credits that are placed directly on a student’s bill by several departments and offices of the university. Because the Office of the Bursar does not have detailed records concerning many items that appear on a bill, students should contact the office involved if they have questions. A full list of unit contact information is available on the Billing Procedures page. If you are unsure of the unit, contact Bursar Account Services, and they will direct you to the appropriate unit.

An individual who has outstanding indebtedness to the university will not be allowed to enroll in classes, have academic credits certified, be granted a leave of absence, or have a degree conferred. University policy prohibits the use of any current financial aid for payment of past-due charges.

The Office of the Bursar offers several payment options. The preferred method of payment is electronic payments via CASHNet. Paying online via the CASHNet supports Cornell’s sustainability efforts. Other methods of payment are: the monthly Cornell Installment Plan, wire transfers, college savings plans, and third-party billing (for sponsored students). We accept check payments by mail or in person.

All payments are due by the 7th of the month; all payments must be received by that date to avoid finance charges. Payments are not processed by postmark.

For further information, students should contact the Office of the Bursar, Cornell University, 260 Day Hall bursar@cornell.edu; tel. (607) 255-2336, Mon-Fri 10am-1pm/2-4pm; www.bursar.cornell.edu. Bursar account information may be viewed in real time on Student Center or CASHNet.