Columbia University Student Financial Services

Undergraduate Financial Aid

Undergraduate Financial Aid

Types of Aid

Student Loans

Perkins Loans (Federal Loans)

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

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

  • 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 Undergraduate Financial Aid site.

Note:* Unsubsidized Stafford eligibility is limited to independent students (as determined by the FAFSA) and dependent students whose parents have been denied access to the Federal PLUS program.

Student’s year of study (grade level)

Number of cumulative Credits

Subsidized Loan Amount

Unsubsidized Loan Amount

Year 1

0 – 23

$3,500

$4,000

Year 2

24 – 55

$4,500

$4,000

Year 3

56 – 89

$5,500

$5,000

Year 4

90 +

$5,500

$5,000

Postbaccalaureate

  $5,500 $7,000


Total Aggregate limit

$23,000

$46,000



Note: * Eligible postbaccalaureate non-degree students are considered fifth-year undergraduates for the Federal Stafford Loan program.

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

  • Stafford Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN): All new students and/or first time borrowers must complete a Federal Stafford Loan Master promissory Note (MPN). Columbia University has a list of suggested lenders, yet students may select any lender of their choice. Students should submit the completed MPN directly to the lender.
  • 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 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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Federal PLUS Loan (Additional Educational Loans)

Federal PLUS Loans
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Educational Private Loan (Additional Educational Loans)

Private Loans
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Scholarships and Grants

Federal Pell Grant

Federal Pell Grant
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Federal SEOG Grant

Federal SEOG Grant
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New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)
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Aid for Part Time Study (APTS)

APTS is a grant program financed by the State of New York in conjunction with participating educational institutions. Awards are contingent upon the student’s registration and residency status. APTS is a grant and does not have to be paid back; the APTS award is subject to approval by New York State.
In order to be eligible for the APTS grant the student must be:
  • A New York State resident.
  • Registered for at least 3 credits but fewer than 12 credits per semester
In order to be considered for an APTS award the student must submit:
  • A signed copy of the New York State tax return
For questions regarding New York residency requirements, please contact HESC at 1-888-697-4372 or visit the website of the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation.
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Institutional Aid

Institutional aid is awarded and administered by the School of General Studies.
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Outside Scholarship and Grants

A search for outside scholarship money is more time-consuming but may be well worth the effort.

Students may be eligible for a specific scholarship or grant from an outside agency. Some sources to explore are employers, unions, professional organizations, special interest groups, and the Internet. A good place to start is our list of outside scholarships.

Students must notify our office 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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Outside Scholarship Links

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