Fellowship and scholarship awards are based primarily on scholastic ability and promise of achievement as a graduate student. Candidates for fellowships and scholarships are nominated by the fields, but the awards are made by the Fellowship Board of the Graduate School or the College Scholarship Committee. Early application for other financial aid ensures consideration for assistantships and fellowships. A few summer graduate research assistantships are available. According to Cornell Graduate School policy, foreign students must be prepared to provide full funding for the entire period of graduate study at Cornell University unless officially notified of Cornell fellowships awarded on a national basis by the American government and by private foundations.
Many foreign governments offer support for students from their countries.
The graduate faculty regards study in residence as essential. Although students working off campus may become proficient in a technique or a field of knowledge, they may fail in other ways to attain the breadth of knowledge necessary for scholarly work. In addition to access to the libraries and physical facilities of the university, students need persistent and continuing interaction with others engaged in similar pursuits. Attendance at lectures, seminars, and other academic meetings on campus is an important part of graduate education. One semester of full-time study at an acceptable level of performance constitutes one residence unit.