Cornell’s commitment to students

Together, we are fulfilling the Cornell Promise

“Cornell’s foundational commitment to be a university where ‘any person can find instruction in any study’ is the bedrock of our identity,” said Cornell’s president, Martha E. Pollack. “Even with the extraordinary financial challenges we are facing as an institution, our first responsibility is to our students.”

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Cornell has been steadfast in its commitment to Ezra Cornell’s vision of “an institution where any person can find instruction in any study,” by providing an excellent education to highly qualified students regardless of their background or financial circumstances.

Today, the pandemic has exacerbated economic conditions that are already making the experience of many families far from equitable and secure. The increasing demand for financial aid is unexpectedly challenging our budget. Cornell needs your support to ensure currently enrolled students can complete their education. The Cornell Promise initiative will help meet this need by raising additional current-use financial aid dollars for fiscal years 2021 through 2023.

Cornell is doing everything possible to meet student needs. President Pollack has made Cornell Promise a top fundraising priority, but the economic impact of the pandemic will persist for years to come. Every gift to a Cornell Promise fund provides urgent financial relief to students.

Gifts of all sizes help reassure students that financial aid will be available, even if their finances have been affected by the pandemic. Make your gift today and join thousands of loyal Cornellians who have already stepped up to support students.

Featured opportunities

Annual Fund opportunity
Make a gift of any size to help students remain enrolled at Cornell. You can direct your gift to the Cornell Promise Annual Fund for Undergraduate Scholarship or to the college that is most meaningful to you.

Leadership opportunity
Named term scholarships: Each $25,000 or more Cornell Promise scholarship will be awarded on behalf of the donor or donor family as a “term scholarship.” You can direct your Cornell Promise scholarship to your college, or to the Provost to disburse where needed most.

Contact:

Kristen Ford, associate vice president for colleges and units