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Student & Campus Life

Tradition Funding Options

Overview of Available Cornell Tradition Funding Options for Experiential Opportunities

Below is a brief summary of the funding options available to Tradition Fellows. For full details on all funding options, please visit our Benefits page. 

  • Service Support Account: Up to $3,500 for full-time (6-8+ weeks or around 280 hours) service-related summer experiences or summer internships. Pro-rated funding is available for shorter opportunities.
  • CCO Empowerment Funds: Transportation costs associated with volunteering at organizations withing the local/Ithaca community (limited to $200/semester), non-program specific conferences, or values-aligned experiences.
  • Service Project Funding: Up to $500/semester for student-initiated service activities.
  • Frank H.T. Rhodes Cornell Tradition Endowment: Up to $2,000–$5,000 for approved international service experiences (winter/summer only).

Note: Pre-approval is required for all funding. Post-experience write-ups are required after any funded experience.

Service Support Account

Eligibility

  • Must be a full-time undergraduate in good standing with The Cornell Tradition program.
  • Freshmen are not eligible for summer funding after their first year but may apply for winter or spring break opportunities.
    • Internships: Summer only.
    • Service Experiences: Winter, spring, or summer break.
    • Covered costs include: Housing, utilities, transportation, food/household expenses, visas, immunizations, and limited miscellaneous costs.

Funding Timelines & Usage

Application Deadlines

  • Winter Break: December 15
  • Spring Break: March 1
  • Summer: May 30

Before Applying

Students must:

  • Complete the Support Account Information Canvas course. Students are not required to complete this course before applying for conference funding, or requesting funds for project supplies.
  • Speak with the program director (recommended).
  • Secure a confirmed experience (not based on a potential opportunity).
    • Not sure where to find an opportunity? Look for experiences on the CTTalk emails, or visit your college’s Career Services office to find opportunities.
    • Prepare the following:
      • Location, dates and supervisor contact info (email required for endorsement form).
      • Full budget (housing, food, travel, etc.).
      • Health insurance verification (especially for international travel).
      • Visa and immunization information (if applicable).

Submitting the Application

After Submission

  • Students are responsible for endorsement follow-up (completed by the experience supervisor).
  • Students can track the application status in the system.
  • The program director will inform the student of the application decision.
  • Approval is at the director’s discretion.
  • A post-experience write-up is due within 2 weeks of completion of the internship/experience.

 CCO Empowerment Funds

For experiences not fully aligned with your program’s funding guidelines, but still embodying leadership, service, or research:

  • Examples
    • Local volunteer transportation (up to $200/semester)
    • Conferences outside of tenets of work or service
    • Service or leadership events not covered by the Support Account

Submitting the Application

Service Project Funding and Post-Project Forms

Fellows may apply for up to $500/semester to support a student-initiated service activity. 

  • Projects must involve collaboration with either a Cornell-affiliated entity (such as a department, program, or research group) or a community organization.
  • Funding cannot be used to directly support or finance existing organizations. 
     

Receiving Funds

Important Notes

  • Funds may impact financial aid or federal loan/work-study eligibility.
  • Cornell typically reports this funding to the IRS.
  • For tax questions, consult your tax preparer/advisor.
  • For financial aid questions, contact: finaid@cornell.edu

Frank H.T. Rhodes Cornell Tradition Endowment

  • Funding for international service experiences only.
  • Available only to current Tradition Fellows.

Award Amounts

  • Winter: Up to $2,000 (minimum 3-week experience).
  • Summer: Up to $5,000 (minimum 3-week experience; total amount variable depending on length of experience).

Eligibility

  • Applicants must be in good standing with the program at the time of application and must maintain good standing throughout the entire experience.
  • This includes successful completion of the annual program re-application process.
  • Freshmen: Eligible for winter only.
  • Seniors: May apply to use funds the summer after graduation.

Application Process

  • Submit the standard Support Account application.
  • Email tradition@cornell.edu for additional materials.
    • Additional application materials include expanded budget information and post-experience guidelines.
  • Deadlines:
    • Winter: October 15
    • Summer: April 1
  • Applications are reviewed and selected by a committee
  • Students will receive a notification of decision and funding amount
  • Students must submit a post-trip reflection within two weeks of the experience’s end date. 

 Start Your Application

 FAQs

What should my service experience include?
Service experiences must involve:

  • Working directly with a community or organization to complete a task
  • OR teaching a sustainable skill to the community that they can continue to use after the student has left.

What qualifies as a full-time experience?
Experiences must be at least 6-8+ weeks/35-40 hours per week (totaling approximately 280 hours) to be considered for full-time funding.

Are freshmen eligible for summer funding?
No. However, freshmen may apply for funding for winter or spring breaks during their first year.

Can I use Support Account funds for conferences?
Yes, on a case-by-case basis. The conference must directly connect to service, and a conference schedule is required.

Can I use Support Account funds for projects?
Students can access up to $500 per semester to support special projects to start a new leadership activity. The funding cannot be used to offset expenses for an established program or organization. To apply for project funding, submit the Service Project Funding Form.

Can I use funding for credit-bearing experiences?
The Cornell Tradition does not typically fund credit-bearing service experiences. If you have specific questions related to a credit-bearing service experience, please reach out to Suzanne Horning with any questions.

What if I’m traveling internationally?
An ITART petition is required for travel to destinations considered to be elevated risk destinations. Applicants will be instructed to go to travelregistry.cornell.edu to enter international travel information. Students are responsible for understanding and following complex border restrictions and entry and re-entry requirements. Travel insurance is strongly encouraged.

Contact Information
Questions? Contact tradition@cornell.edu before making any purchase or commitment of funds. Funds are limited, not guaranteed, and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.