Skip to main content

Cornell University

Student & Campus Life

CU Impact Fellowship

Students pass by Barnes Hall between classes.

The CU Impact Fellowship is an experiential learning program focused on creating transformative and enriching experiences for Cornell University undergraduate students with undocumented status. In collaboration with the Office of the Dean of Students and the Associate Dean of Students for Student Empowerment, fellows are offered opportunities geared toward increasing their professional development, career exploration, and community engagement.

Fellows are immersed within a professional environment on or off campus and are guided by a staff mentor from the Office of the Dean of Students. Students are awarded a $1,250 scholarship for the semester-long fellowship. Fellows are required to commit 20 hours per month to their project and report progress to their assigned mentor on a regular basis.

Hosting a CU Impact Fellow

Fellowships may take place within Cornell University or with an external organization. Because Cornell University is holistically committed to supporting students with undocumented status, University departments, faculty, and staff hosting CU Impact Fellows contribute 50% of the scholarship award. For external organizations that are unaffiliated with Cornell University, fellowships are fully funded by the Office of the Dean of Students.

Hosting organizations, in collaboration with the student candidate, develop a fellowship project description. In addition to outlining project goals and tasks, the project description establishes commitment to the project and anticipated student enrichment.

Applying for a CU Impact Fellowship

Currently enrolled undergraduate students with undocumented status are eligible to apply. Students must identify and collaborate with a fellowship host to develop a specific project. Students may not have more than one CU Impact Fellowship per semester.

Fellowship funds are deposited to your Bursar account. If there are any outstanding balances on your Bursar account, the funds will first be applied towards that balance and you will receive any remaining funds through direct deposit. Please allow 2-3 weeks for processing.

Application materials:

  • Fellowship project description (max 500 words)
  • Statement of Interest explaining how the fellowship project will contribute to your academic and professional goals (max 500 words)
  • Resume

Please submit application materials to FGLIempowerment@cornell.edu by the following deadlines:

  • January 15 for a spring fellowship (February – May)
  • August 15 for a fall fellowship (September – December)