Columbia University Student Financial Services

Students applying for or receiving financial aid must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Apply as early as possible beginning January 1 of each year. Contact your school for exact deadline dates.

A FAFSA can be completed online at FAFSA-on-the-Web.

To complete your FAFSA, you will need Columbia University's School Code: 002707

To request a paper copy, call the U.S. Department of Education at 800-4FED-AID.

FAFSA Data Retrieval Tool

 The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has a new tool that will make applying for financial aid faster.

Beginning February 5, 2012, financial aid applicants will be able to directly import tax filing information into the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. The tool, available online, simplifies the application process and prevents data entry errors. It is the preferred method for providing the required tax information.

The IRS Data Retrieval Tool accesses your 2011 IRS tax return and imports the relevant information into your online FAFSA. To access the tool, visit FAFSA and select “Transfer My Tax Information into the FAFSA,” as pictured below.

When using the tool, please note:

• You must first complete your 2011 federal tax return.
  
• Information from your tax filing will be available in the Data Retrieval Tool 1-2 weeks after electronically filing a return (and 6-8 weeks after filing a paper return.)
• Even after a FAFSA has been processed, you can return to the FAFSA website at a later date to update tax information through the IRS Data Retrieval Tool option.

Eligibility

Not everyone is eligible to use the Data Retrieval Tool. Ineligible applicants include:

• married couples who file separately
• applicants whose married status has changed as of January 1, 2012
• applicants who are neither eligible nor required to file a 2011 Federal Tax Return
• applicants who file an amended federal tax return

What to do if you opt out or are ineligible to use the tool

If you opt out or are ineligible, you may need to submit to the University a 2011 federal tax return transcript. There are three methods for obtaining a federal tax return transcript:

1. Online request

• On the main page under Tools, Click “Order a Tax Return or Account Transcript”
• Click “Tax Return Transcript” in Section 1
• Click “Order a Transcript”
• Provide the tax filer’s SSN, DOB, Street Address, and Zip Code (these must exactly match the data provided on your tax return).
• Click “Continue”
• In the “Type of Transcript” field, select “Return Transcript” and appropriate year requested in the “Tax Year” field.
• If successfully linked, tax filers can expect a paper IRS Tax Return Transcript to be mailed to the specified address within 5‐10 days.

     2. Telephone request

• Automated attendant – 1‐800‐908‐9946
• Live person – 1‐800‐829‐1040 – (Hold times vary and can be significant.) You may be able to request that the transcript be faxed to you rather than be mailed.

     3.Paper Request – IRS Form 4506T – must be used if you have moved since filing your taxes

• Available for download
• Visit your local IRS Office.  Office locations
  

Questions?

If you have any questions about completing your FAFSA, please contact your school’s financial aid office.

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