The Graduate School places a very high priority on providing its Ph.D. students with adequate support. Ninety-nine percent of students in years one through five, the years covered by multi-year support, receive full funding from a variety of sources. Full funding consists of a full-tuition fellowship, coverage by the University of the health service fee and the basic medical insurance offered through Columbia, and a nine-month stipend at or above an amount known as the standard stipend. The Graduate School has substantially enhanced University funding of graduate students. Over the past decade, stipends have increased 74 percent (36% over the rate of inflation). In 2005-2006 the standard stipend was $19,000; in 2006-2007 it is $20,000.

On average, 95 percent of entering students receive five-year multi-year awards or, if they are awarded advanced standing, four-year multi-year awards. Although funds are not sufficient to provide fellowships to all entering students, the remaining 5 percent of entering students are guaranteed four years of support beginning in the second year of their programs or, if they are awarded advanced standing, three-year multi-year awards. Each year, top graduate students receive prestigious national awards such as the Javits or National Science Foundation (NSF) Fellowships in addition to support from a significant number of research training grants and national research grants administered by individual faculty.  

The Office of Financial Aid, located in 107 Low Library, is available to assist students in meeting the costs of graduate education. The Office of Financial Aid is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Walk-in appointments are taken on Wednesdays only. Otherwise, appointments should be made at least one day in advance at 212-854-8903. The Office is responsible for paying fellowships, issuing stipend checks, authorizing teaching appointments, certifying loan applications, and allocating Federal College Work-Study to GSAS students. In addition, the Office administers several fellowship programs from the United States Department of Education and other external funding organizations. Students should feel free to contact Financial Aid Officers with questions about University or external fellowships, loans, and other financial matters.

Admission to an Arts and Sciences Ph.D. program carries with it a commitment of multi-year support as indicated in the official letter of admission from the dean. This multi-year support is composed of some combination of fellowships and assistantships and placement in University housing.

All departments provide at least the nine-month standard stipend, the level of which is established each spring for the following academic year. Natural sciences departments may supplement the stipend and/or provide summer research appointments. Humanities and social sciences departments may provide summer fellowships. Fellowships are awarded by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, through individual departments, solely on the basis of demonstrated academic merit in recognition of academic achievement and in expectation of scholarly success.

Continuing support is contingent upon making a good faith effort to obtain outside funding and making satisfactory academic progress. Satisfactory progress is assessed annually on the basis of academic performance and also performance in required research and teaching apprenticeships. Please see GSAS Degree Requirements—Satisfactory Academic Progress in section VII.A. in GSAS Rules and Regulations for additional information. A fellowship may be terminated at any time for failure to maintain a high standard of academic excellence or to comply with the terms of the award. Upon completing the multi-year package, students still within their seventh year of study may be eligible for limited additional support that is awarded on a competitive basis.

In signifying acceptance of a Columbia University award, a student acknowledges his or her understanding of the regulations stated below.