One Step Closer to Paperless
It’s always so exciting whenever our department implements new technology, especially if it allows things to run more smoothly for our applicants and for us. We are feeling the buzz of that excitement this week in the Financial Aid Office!
A few years ago, we began using a document imaging system with the intent to go paperless. The process has gone quite smoothly but we still require a lot of extra hands to open and scan all that incoming mail during application season. But our newest endeavor should curb some of that workload, allowing us to get you what you need more quickly. Yesterday we went live with an electronic document submission page within our website (www.finaid.cornell.edu). Applicants can use this web form to send application documents directly to Cornell online. We are using fillable pdf forms and electronic signatures to make the process simpler and more efficient for our applicants.
As you begin the application process for 2010-2011, we highly encourage you to consider using this new electronic submission process. Paper applications sent through the mail can take up to 6 weeks to process once they arrive at our processing center. Documents sent electronically can be processed within days. Not to mention it’s a much more secure way to get your application materials to Cornell.
To get started:
- Save the fillable pdf application (Freshman, Transfer, International, or Continuing) or form to your hard drive.
- Fill out the form electronically, including signatures for student applicants and parents. A typed name is considered a legal and binding signature, so make sure you’re typing your own name where applicable.
- Visit the home page of our website and click on “Submit Application Materials Electronically.”
- Upload as many documents as you need to, 3 at a time. Accepted file types are .pdf, .doc, and .jpg.
- You’ll get an email confirmation when your documents are received by Cornell!
We hope the majority of our applicants will begin using the electronic submission process and we look forward to hearing feedback about how it’s working!
Thanks!
Ruth Torres
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