Columbia University Student Financial Services

Graduate Financial Aid

Graduate Financial Aid

Types of Aid

Student Loans

Perkins Loans (Federal Loans)

General information regarding Federal Perkins Loan can be found in the University's Financial Aid site.  

Aside from the FAFSA the Office of Student Financial Planning requires the following documents:

  • Perkins Master Promissory Note (MPN): All new students and/or first time borrowers must complete a Perkins Master Promissory Note. The Perkins MPN can be completed online through Student Services Online (SSOL) or downloaded (link to Perkins MPN form), printed, and submitted to Student Financial Services.
  • Perkins Request Form: This form begins the loan processing, therefore it must be completed and submitted every academic year.
  • Entrance Interview: All new students and/or first time borrowers are required to complete the Entrance Interview before funds are disbursed to their university student account. The Entrance Interview can be completed online through Student Services Online (SSOL).
  • Exit Interview: Students who are graduating or ceasing to be registered for at least six credits must complete the Exit interview. The Exit Interview can be completed online through Student Services Online (SSOL).
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Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford (Federal Loans)

General information regarding Federal Stafford Loans can be found in the University's Graduate Financial Aid site. 

Note: *Students who are in the 6th, 7th or 8th year of the Film program, must also obtain approval from Dave Beeman at the Graduate School of Arts prior to being awarded for federal loans.

Aside from the FAFSA the Office of Student Financial Planning requires the following documents:

  • Stafford Loan Request Form: This form begins the loan processing, therefore it must be completed and submitted every academic year.
  • Entrance Interview: All new students and/or first time borrowers are required to complete the Entrance Interview before funds are disbursed to their university student account. The Entrance Interview can be completed at www.studentloans.gov.
  • Exit Interview: Students who are graduating or ceasing to be registered for at least six credits must complete the Exit interview. The Exit Interview can be completed online through Student Services Online (SSOL).
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Graduate PLUS Loans (Additional Educational Loans)

Graduate PLUS Loans (Additional Educational Loans)
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Alternative Loan Programs (Additional Educational Loans)

Private Loans
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Scholarships and Grants

Institutional Aid

Institutional aid is awarded and administered by the Graduate School of School of Arts.
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Outside Scholarship and Grants

A search for outside scholarship money is more time-consuming but the rewards may well be worth the effort.
The School of Arts has compiled a Guide to Outside Scholarships and Grants

Students must notify the Office Student Financial Planning if receiving funds from any outside sources. If a student receives a scholarship from an outside organization, the Office Student Financial Planning first applies the amount against the student's unmet need, then toward self-help awards (by reducing private loans or work-study), and finally by reducing federal aid (affecting federal loans first) so that total financial aid (including the outside scholarship) does not exceed the cost of attendance.
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