If you’re feeling stressed about how exactly you’re going to pay for school, you aren’t alone. The financial aid process at Columbia can be pretty overwhelming for anybody, and if you aren’t informed, it’s easy to miss something important – a mistake you definitely can’t afford. Start with this guide to Columbia financial aid, and you’ll be organized and on track in no time!
The early decision financial aid process for Columbia is just about over by now, but if you applied regular decision, keep in mind that you only have until February 15th to pass everything in! There’s a ton of supplemental application materials you’re going to have to get together and fill out, but they’re all due on the same day, so don’t wait to do everything last minute – you’ll definitely get overwhelmed.
The financial aid process is super stressful, so it’s important that you use all of your available resources to their fullest potential. The Columbia financial aid office is always there to help you if you’re starting to feel stuck. You can call them at 1 (212) 854-3711, send them an e-mail at ugrad-finaid@columbia.edu, or take advantage of their walk-in hours (9:30AM-4:30PM, except for Tuesdays at 2:30PM) in Lerner Hall. These walk-in appointments will really help you understand what you should expect financially so nothing is a surprise when it comes to paying for school. If you’re nearby, you should definitely stop in with your parents so you can be well-prepared!
Columbia students are expected to pass in all of these documents (once again, all by February 15th):
Columbia asks that you don’t e-mail them any supplemental materials and instead you upload everything to IDOC. Make sure you follow all of the requirements and closely examine the instructions that Columbia offers on their website here. This timeline is also really helpful if you’re feeling stuck!
If you applied regular decision, you can start following your overall application’s progress here and should get a financial aid decision by late March.
In late March, you should receive your acceptance letter from Columbia. If you passed in all of your documents on time, it should come with your financial aid estimate!
To reserve your spot in the freshmen class, you’ll need to send an enrollment deposit to Columbia by May 1st, 2017!
Columbia offers a cost breakdown on their website here.
The price tag can be a bit scary, but that’s why staying organized when it comes to financial aid is so important – you want every last penny you can get! A typical year at Columbia comes in at around $71,585, broken down like this:
About half of students at Columbia receive grants that average around $47,490. If you follow this guide to financial aid, get everything done on time, and if you’re an eligible candidate, you might be able to lower your cost that much, too!
Special circumstances are always considered and you can always file an appeal. Columbia suggests that you contact their office and speak to someone about appealing. If you decide that it’s something you have to do, you can submit your request for review via e-mail!
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