Student Aid Recipients Rights & Responsibilities

As a student you have the right to:

• Know what financial assistance is available to you, including all federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs.
• Know the deadlines for submitting applications for applicable financial aid programs and the process required.
• Know how your financial need is determined, including how cost of attendance budgets are developed.
• Know what resources are considered in the calculation of your financial need, and how much of your need as determined by Cornell University has been met.
• An explanation of the types of aid contained in your financial aid award as well as how to retain eligibility for those funds (if applicable).
• Request a review of your current financial situation if you meet certain criteria based on changes since filing the current aid year FAFSA application.
• Know what portion of your aid package is grant or gift aid, and what portion must be repaid. In addition, you have the right to know interest rates, total amount to be repaid, procedures for repayment, when repayment begins, and how long you have to repay the loan.
• Know the criteria for continued financial aid eligibility, including guidelines for the determination of Satisfactory Academic Progress as defined by the Department of Education.
• Know the method and frequency of financial aid disbursements.

Additional Information (on Financial Aid and related websites)

• Satisfactory Academic Progress
• Understanding Your Financial Aid Award
• Direct Loan Terms & Conditions
• Direct Loan Exit Counseling
• Loan Repayment Information
• Student Employment Information 

As a student you have the responsibility to:

• Be aware of your ability to pay institutional charges based on your available financial aid and personal resources.
• Review and understand the terms and conditions of your financial aid award.
• Complete all requirements accurately, in a timely manner, and by the appropriate deadlines.
• Inform the Office of Financial Aid and Student Employment if you intend to enroll less than full time for any given term so that your aid can be properly adjusted and disbursed.
• Inform the Office of Financial Aid and Student Employment of any outside scholarships, assistantships, or additional resources that you receive.
• Fill out the FAFSA application completely and accurately. If selected for verification you will provide all requested documents in a timely manner and ensure that all submitted materials are complete and accurate. Falsification of information on application forms for federal financial assistance is considered a criminal offense, and you may be subject to penalties under the U.S. Criminal Code.
• Read and understand all forms that you are asked to submit or sign, realizing that you are legally responsible for all agreements that you sign.
• Know and comply with all policies and procedures of Cornell University.
• Manage your financial aid experience.