Types of College Scholarships 

• Privately funded awards
• RED (Reducing Educational Debt) Scholarship provides tuition-free third and fourth years of the DVM education.

The Graduate Diversity Fellowship Program (GDFP) is a state fellowship that provides direct financial support to graduate and professional students who have demonstrated academic achievement and overcome barriers to success in higher education. Complete the Graduate Diversity Fellowship Program Application and use the Secure Document Upload Portal to submit your application. 

Important Update

• Annual Application Required: All students, including returning recipients, must reapply each year to be considered for the fellowship.
• Deadline: Applications must be submitted by June 15.
• Limited Funding: Awards are competitive. Preference will be given to students who meet the eligibility criteria and apply early.
• Funding is contingent on annual state budget approval and is not guaranteed yearly.

Eligibility

To be considered for the GDFP, applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Applicants must demonstrate how they have overcome a disadvantage or impediment to success in higher education and/or
show a commitment to enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in their academic and campus communities.

Secure Document Upload Portal

The federal government considers all graduate or professional students independent of their families. However, due to the federal regulations regarding the Health Professions Student Loan (HPSL), parental information is required on the CSS profile, and eligibility is determined by calculating the family contribution as if the student were still dependent. If no parental information is provided, the student is NOT eligible for the HPSL, regardless of the contribution calculation.

Learn about the Federal Financial Aid Changes affecting graduate and professional students for 2026-27 and beyond.

Types of Federal Student Loans

• Health Professions Student Loan (HPSL) and Loan for Disadvantaged Students (LDS)
  Eligibility is based on financial need and funding is limited. Regardless of the student's age or marital status, complete parental data is required. The maximum annual loan available is defined as the cost of attendance; however, available funds are usually not sufficient to allow maximum awards. Interest is fixed at 5% during the repayment period, which begins one year after the borrower ceases to be enrolled at least half-time.

• Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans 
  The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford loan allows Health Professions students to borrow up to $40,500 annually. During school and periods of deferment, the principal is deferred, but interest accrues from the disbursement date. The interest rate is fixed, and there is an origination fee for the amount borrowed.

• Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan
  The Federal Direct Grad PLUS loan is available to graduate and professional students who have borrowed the maximum unsubsidized loan amounts but still have educational costs that are not covered by other financial aid. In addition to the FAFSA, this program requires a separate application, and approval is based on a credit history review. The interest rate is fixed, and there is an origination fee for the amount borrowed. Interest starts to accrue on disbursement, and repayment begins six months after a student ceases to be enrolled at least half-time.

Grad PLUS Loan Application

The Federal Work Study Program increases opportunities for student employment by reimbursing employers on campus or in certain non-profit organizations off campus 50% of wages paid to eligible students. Eligibility to participate is based on financial need, as evidenced by analysis of the FAFSA. Funds are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Veterinary Student Employment Program (VETSEP)

The College also offers a wage-subsidy program to students in the professional curriculum employed in certain types of veterinary-related positions within the College. As with FWS, available monies are allocated to eligible students on a first-come, first-served basis.

FWS / VETSEP Application

With recent changes to federal loan options, some students may need to explore private education loan to cover funding gaps. Private loans are credit-based, so understanding your credit and comparing lenders is essential.

Private Education Lenders can provide student loans to help cover education expenses. Cornell cannot recommend any particular lender, but we encourage you to compare lenders and loan terms to select the lender that best fits your needs. Students are responsible for researching and applying for private education loans. You may borrow up to the total cost of attendance, less any financial aid. Learn more about the Student Loan Code of Conduct.

Visit Cornell ELM Select to learn more about lender options.

To supplement our efforts to reduce student loan debt through institutional gift aid, it is our expectation that all students applying for financial aid take an active role in limiting their borrowing by seeking outside scholarship opportunities. While we screen these listings for illegitimate offers, students should review all scholarship information carefully. Never pay money to apply for a scholarship or other funding opportunity. 

Apply for external scholarships

Veteran education benefits are available to eligible full or part-time Cornell students or employees who are active duty or reserve military personnel, veterans, or in some cases, the child or spouse of a veteran. Complete the online Application for VA Education Benefits (VA Form 22-1990) to determine eligibility. 

Use the secure document upload portal to submit a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility from the VA to our office. 

U.S. students include U.S. citizens, U.S. citizens with dual citizenship, and certain eligible non-citizens such as refugees or asylees. Undocumented students who attended and graduated from a U.S. high school, with or without DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) status, are not eligible for federal aid.

DACA/Undocumented Applicants/Green Card Applicants 

The Office of Undocumented/DACA Student Support provides educational resources and collaborates with community partners to assist undocumented and DACA students at Cornell.

International Students

International students are not eligible for federal aid. 

Occasionally, students face urgent, unanticipated expenses related to their educational pursuits. Depending on the circumstances, The Office of Student Financial Planning may be able to provide assistance in the form of grants, scholarships, or student loans. Students should contact vetfinaid@cornell.edu to discuss their options.