Straight from Cornell’s web site, my bolding, though you have to slog through some confusing wording to find it:
“Cornell offers need-based financial aid to undergraduate students who are U.S. citizens and permanent residents, and has a very limited amount of need-based aid for international and undocumented students. Students who qualify are offered a specific aid package designed to fully meet their need with a combination of grants, loans, and employment opportunities.”
The web site also clearly says to submit 2014 tax returns by Nov 1. No, I highly doubt that would affect an admissions decision, since they’re need blind. Frankly, I would doubt it would affect his finaid either, except that it’s now so late. This is a case where I’d sure consider calling. (We had a delay in submitting IDOC for another school and when I called they weren’t concerned. But that was a different circumstance.)