The fellowship information provided here applies only to the 31 Arts and Sciences Ph.D. programs. Ph.D. programs in the Schools of Architecture, Business, Engineering, Journalism, Public Health, Social Work, College of Physicians and Surgeons, and Teachers College are administered and funded through the Dean’s Offices of each respective school. Ph.D. students in these programs should consult the Dean’s Offices of their individual schools to learn about the policies and resources that apply to them.

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 2006-2007 the standard stipend was $20,000; in 2007-2008 it is $21,000.

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.

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 Satisfactory Academic Progress 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.