Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I bring my paperwork to receive veterans' educational benefits?

All paperwork should be submitted to the Office of the Registrar, 210 Kent.

Is the application process for veterans and military personnel different from the regular application process?

No, all applicants follow the same application procedures, which are detailed on the Admissions section of the GS website.

Are there special financial aid opportunities for veterans and military personnel?

Yes. Please review the options on the Financial Aid page.

What happens if I am called up for active duty during the school year?

You will receive a military leave of absence for the period of active duty as well as one year thereafter. Students in need of a military leave of absence should consult their advisors in the Dean of Students Office. For more information, see the Academic Policies section of the GS website.

Are there any services available to veterans with disabilities?

Yes, please consult Columbia University's Office of Disability Services, the VA website, or the Dept. of Veteran Affairs' Vocational Rehabilitation regional office: 245 W. Houston St.; New York, NY 10014; phone: 1-800-827-1000 or 212-807-7229; fax: 212-807-4024.

"There were a lot of GIs after the war. They weren't all that older, but they understood broader things a lot more."

—Gregory Rabassa

During World War II Gregory Rabassa served in the OSS as a cryptographer and a message center chief who helped to coordinate the German surrender in 1945. After the war he began graduate study at Columbia and taught Spanish and Portuguese in the School of General Studies. A world-renowned translator whose efforts include Gabriel Garcia Marquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude and Julio Cortazar's Hopscotch, Rabassa was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 2006.

Columbia University School of General Studies
408 Lewisohn Hall, MC 4101
2970 Broadway
New York, NY 10027

Tel (212) 854-2772
Fax (212) 854-6316
gs_future@columbia.edu