Direct Deposit and Student Refunds

If money is coming to you from awards, grants, scholarships, and loans exceeds the amount you owe on your Bursar bill, the bursar authorizes direct deposit or a refund check. Checks can be picked up at the Bursar’s office by currently registered students any time after registration, with proper photo ID. For more information about refunds, see More About Refunds, below.

Direct Deposit

If you are a registered, full-time, undergraduate, graduate, or professional student, student refunds, assistantship stipends, and fellowship stipends can be deposited directly into your bank account. The student must be the primary account holder of the account used for direct deposit.

Sign-Up Instructions

1. Go to Nelnet Business Services and log in using your Cornell NetID and password. Cornell's Two-Step Login is required for authentication.
2. Verify or edit the Student Profile Information.
3. Select your method of refund. If this is the first time you are entering checking or savings information in Nelnet, you will be prompted to add your checking or savings account information on this screen.

Important Notes:

• Refunds issued by direct deposit will appear in the bank account within 2-3 business days.
• Your default primary e-mail address in Nelnet is your Cornell e-mail address. You can add additional e-mail addresses once you’re enrolled, but you cannot change the default email address.
• Any Nelnet account not used for one year will be deleted.
• Students will receive an email when direct deposit refunds or stipends have occurred.
• Cornell University will process a paper student refund check only if no banking information has been provided by the student.

More About Refunds

When you receive a refund, look at your bill carefully. Be sure that the bill reflects all charges for which you are receiving aid, as well as anticipated adjustments in Cornell aid. For example, if you have not yet been billed for dining and your aid is supposed to pay for dining, your refund check will contain money that should be used to pay for your dining once the charge appears on your bill. You cannot subsequently receive additional financial aid to cover that charge.

Note: Due to federal regulation changes, you may be receiving a refund but still have a prior-term balance that needs to be paid. Please check the Student Center or email us or call us at (607) 255-2336 to confirm your balance.

Paper Check Refund Schedule

The Office of the Bursar conducts all its business directly with the student. Just as monthly charges are listed in the student’s name, so are any awards, grants, scholarships, and loans that might produce a refund. Therefore, direct deposits/refund checks are drawn in the name of the student.

The Office of the Bursar reserves the right to withhold any refund check when the student has a Bursar/Cornellcard or Cornell Installment Plan balance. Cornell is authorized to use any credit balances to offset any debts owed by the student to the university.