Columbia University in the City of New York

Using State Grants at Columbia

If you are a New York State resident considering Columbia, be sure to investigate the TAP program. If you are attending a qualifying program and meet financial need requirements, you may receive thousands of dollars per year to put towards your education. Additionally, if you apply to a CUNY or SUNY school, you could be eligible for the Excelsior Scholarship, which would make your education tuition-free.

Columbia University in the City of New York Financial Aid

Students who are applying for financial aid at Columbia need to submit both the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA), as well as the CSS Profile.

The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.

The FAFSA code for Columbia is 002707 and the CSS Profile Code is 2095.

It should be noted that while the FAFSA is free, the CSS Profile does require an application fee. However, students can qualify for a CSS Profile application fee waiver if the cost will present a financial hardship for the students’ family.

If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA or the CSS Profile, check out these resources:

• How to Complete the FAFSA
• How to Complete the CSS Profile

Columbia University in the City of New York Questbridge Scholarships

Columbia is a member of Questbridge, which is a prestigious scholarship program that supports high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds. Students who are “matched” to Columbia University in the City of New York through Questbridge receive a four year, full ride scholarship to the school. If you are interested in learning more about Questbridge, you can check out our Questbridge Scholarship guide.

Columbia University in the City of New York’s 100% Need-Met Guarantee

Columbia has committed to meeting 100% of applicants’ financial needs. They determine your financial need using the FAFSA and/or CSS Profile, and will ensure that your financial aid package covers any costs you cannot pay.

No Loan Policy at Columbia

Columbia is a no-loan school, which means that their financial aid packages offer students grants and scholarships in place of the federal loans that are typically part of a package. This means that their financial aid is more generous than most, and they help bridge the gap between cost and student need. Some no-loan schools offer this policy for all accepted students while others only extend it to students below a specific income level, or to in-state students. Be sure to check Columbia's website for details on their No-Loan policy.

Pell Grants at Columbia University in the City of New York

20% of students at Columbia University in the City of New York receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to Columbia University in the City of New York.

You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.

Outside Scholarships

Columbia students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:

• Top scholarships for high school seniors
• Top scholarships for college students
• Scholarship database

Columbia University in the City of New York Financial Aid Resources

If you are looking for more information about financial aid and scholarships at Columbia or have questions that are specific to your personal situation, we recommend that you reach out directly to the financial aid office!

Here’s how you can get in touch:

• Website: https://cc-seas.financialaid.columbia.edu/
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 212-854-3711

1518 is the median SAT score and 35 is the median ACT score for admitted students at Columbia. A score that is close to this median value indicates that you have a good chance of admission to the institution. However, it’s important to remember that colleges judge applications holistically. If the rest of your application is strong, it’s possible to make up for lower test scores.

Coalition Colleges

Columbia is a Coalition Member College, which means they have completed a vigorous vetting process from the Coalition for College to ensure that they “provide substantial support to lower-income, under-resourced and/or first-generation students; offer responsible student financial aid; and demonstrate a commitment to student graduation.” That also means you can apply to Columbia via the Coalition Application. The Coalition Application makes it easy to obtain application fee waivers if you qualify. It’s also a great way to discover other colleges that have demonstrated a strong commitment to affordability and strong student outcomes.

Does Columbia have a supplemental essay?

Yes, applicants to Columbia University in the City of New York will have to write a supplemental essay in order to complete their application. Luckily, we have a guide to help you through that essay prompt and stand out in the application process.

Is Columbia test-optional?

Columbia University in the City of New York is test-optional, which means that it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.

What SAT/ACT score do you need to get into Columbia University in the City of New York?

Colleges use standardized tests like the SAT and ACT as one of many factors to determine their admissions decisions. A high score on one of these tests does not guarantee admission to a college, and a low score does not guarantee rejection. However, the majority of accepted applicants to Columbia University in the City of New York receive between a 34 and a 35 on their ACT, or a 1470 and a 1585 on their SAT.

Can students submit their SAT or ACT Superscore to Columbia?

Yes, applicants can submit their SAT or ACT Superscore when they apply to Columbia University in the City of New York. You should be able to find your superscore for either test on your student portal. Keep in mind that some colleges only allow Superscores for one of the two tests, so be sure to check their website for exact details on the Superscore policy.

What is the application deadline at Columbia?

Students must apply by January 1 to enroll at Columbia during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.

At Columbia students also have the opportunity to apply Early Decision. In order to take advantage of this option, you’ll have to have your application in by November 1.

Should I apply Regular or Early Decision to Columbia?

Applying to Columbia with Early Decision can be a great decision if you are 100% sure you want to go there. You’ll find out your admissions decision earlier than other students, and some data shows that you may help your admissions chances. However, you should keep in mind that Early Decision is binding. If you do get into the school, you won’t be able to change your mind later. If there is any doubt in your mind, you should apply Early Action or Regular Decision instead.

Read more: All you need to know about Early Action vs Early Decision

Is Columbia University in the City of New York need-blind?

Yes, Columbia University in the City of New York has need-blind admissions, which means they do not take financial need into account when they decide who to accept. If your FAFSA and/or CSS Profile indicate that you would need substantial financial aid, you will still be on equal footing with applicants who do not require any aid at all.

What is the graduation rate at Columbia University in the City of New York?

95% of students who start at Columbia University in the City of New York end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 37% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.

How much do graduates of Columbia University in the City of New York go on to earn?

10 years after starting school at Columbia University in the City of New York, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $102,491. This is $52,100 more than the national median.

Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.

How much do students at Columbia take out in loans?

Graduates of Columbia have to take out a median of $21,500 in federal student loans. This is $8,000 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.