Columbia University Student Financial Services

Billing and Payments

Billing and Payments

Payment Options

Payment for the term is due by the end of the University’s official Change of Program period, in accordance with the academic calendar. You may view the statement schedule here. Charges incurred throughout the term will be billed periodically and are due by the date listed on the Student Account Statement. To determine the amount due, one should view current and recent statements and the current student account balance on Student Services Online (SSOL). (A PDF guide to your student account and E-Bill is available here.)

All payments should indicate the student's name and Columbia University nine-digit identification number (Ask Us). Payments must be posted by the due date to avoid late payment charges.

The University strongly prefers that student account payments be made online via the secure E-Billing website. For payments drawn on foreign banks, the University recommends a wire transfer as the most efficient method of payment. Additional information for all payment methods is listed below.

Online Check

Students and Authorized Payers can make online payments that debit a U.S. bank account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through the secure E-Billing website. E-check payments received by 3:00 pm EST will be credited to the student account by the next business day.

Students access this payment system through Student Services Online (SSOL). Because SSOL contains information protected by federal privacy regulations, Authorized Payers must access the E-Billing website directly.

A confirmation number is given after electronic payment has been accepted. If a hold on a student’s account due to an outstanding balance needs to be removed immediately, he or she may use this number (in an email, on the phone, or in person) to ask to have the hold removed manually.
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By Mail

Checks and money orders in U.S. dollars drawn on a U.S. bank account made payable to Columbia University can be mailed along with the top portion of the printed Statement to our processing center. Payments by mail must be received, not simply postmarked, by the due date in order to avoid late payment charges .

If the Statement stub is not available, the student’s name and Columbia University nine-digit identification number (Ask Us) must be written on the check or money order to ensure timely crediting.


Processing Center:
Columbia University Student Account Payments
P.O. Box 1385
New York, New York 10008-1385

Please note: This is a processing center and cannot accept any mailing that requires signature for receipt. Do not mail cash, credit card authorizations, or correspondence to the lockbox. All correspondence should be sent to Student Financial Services.
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By Wire

For payments drawn on foreign banks, the University recommends a wire transfer as the most efficient method of payment. A processing fee will be charged for checks that cannot be deposited through normal bank channels.

Please note several important guidelines for the use of wire transfers:
1)   To receive a wire transfer, students must be either currently registered or have an outstanding Columbia University balance.
2) Wire transfers must not exceed the maximum limit of $60,000 per term.

 If one or both of the above conditions are not met, funds will be returned to the source of origin.

To Send a Wire Transfer
The student’s name, Columbia University nine-digit identification number (Ask Us), and the notation “tuition payment” should be written in the detail field. Failure to do so by the initiating bank will delay  posting to the proper student account.

*Please note: As of June 13, 2011, different routing numbers must be used to complete wire transfers. Please note the revised numbers listed below. 

Wire transfers may be sent to:
Wells Fargo NA
375 Park Avenue
6th Floor
New York, NY 10152 

Account Number 2000011750143, plus the following information:

Domestic: ABA #121000248; ACH #: 026012881

International*: ABA #121000248;  CHIPS ID  0407

*Special instructions for international wire transfers:
To complete an international wire transfer, you will also need to enter a SWIFT code. The SWIFT code for Wells Fargo is: WFBIUS6S.

Note that international wire transfers are processed through the bank's corporate headquarters located in California -
420 Montgomery Street
San Francisco, CA 94163.

Please do not deposit funds directly into this account or mail payments to this bank address.

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In Person

Checks, money orders, traveler's checks and cash are accepted at the Cashiering windows in Kent Hall. Check payments may also be placed in the drop box next to these windows. Do not put cash in the drop box.

Remember to include the student's name and Columbia University nine-digit identification number (Ask Us) on all payments.

Checks must be in U.S. currency drawn on a U.S. bank.

Note: For payments that include more than $10,000 in cash, IRS Form 8300 will have to be completed at the cashier's window.
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Payment Plan

The TuitionPay Payment Plan, administered by Sallie Mae, enables students and their families to pay tuition and fees billed through the University over several months, rather than in one payment. The payment plan is not a loan. While there is an application fee, there are no interest charges or credit checks.

If you are using the payment plan and also borrowing private student loans, please note that you have the right and ability to select the education loan provider of your choice. You are not required to use the company that administers the payment plan as your loan provider, and you will suffer no penalty for choosing an education loan provider that is different from the one that administers the payment plan.

The fee for the annual term is $55 and the fee for the single term is $40. You may pay the application fee by check or with your MasterCard.

Please note the following enrollment deadlines:

Annual or Fall Term Plan August 31
Spring Term Plan December 31

If you enroll after the plan start date, it is necessary to make any back payments that are due. See the schedule that follows:

Date Application Received Amount Due
Prior to July 1 Fee only
July 2 - August 1 Fee & July 1 payment
August 2 - August 31 Fee, July 1 & August 1 payments
September 2 - September 30
 Fee, July 1, August 1 & September 1 payments

You can enroll online at http://www.tuitionpayenroll.com/.

For more information, please contact the TuitionPay consultants at 1-800-635-0120.

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Sponsored Billing

Sponsored students are those whose educations at Columbia University are funded directly by a third party, called a sponsor. Examples of sponsors are an employer, educational institution, government agency, foundation, grant, or other institutional source. Click here to learn more about bill payment for sponsored students.
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Tuition Exemption

The Tuition Exemption Benefit Program is available to Columbia University Officers and Support Staff. The Tuition Exemption Benefit Program pays tuition costs, depending on your eligibility, for undergraduate and graduate courses at Columbia University, Barnard College, and Teachers College. Click here to learn more about the Tuition Exemption Benefit Program.
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AmeriCorps Education Awards

The Corporation for National and Community Service provides grants to national and local nonprofits, schools, government agencies, faith-based and community organizations and other groups committed to strengthening their communities through volunteering. 

Students are able to use these grants in the form of AmeriCorps Education Awards toward their semester’s charges.

For faster processing, redeem your award online at https://my.AmeriCorps.gov/mp/login.do.

Awards greater than $1,500.00 will be made in two parts.  The first half of the payment will be paid at the beginning of the semester, and the second half during the midpoint of the semester.  Please note that your AmeriCorps Education Award is considered part of your financial aid package and accordingly must be reported to the financial aid office for your school.

Please allow 3-5 business days for processing.

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College Savings Plans (529 Pre-Paid Plans)

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Many students across the country use the college savings plan as a way to pay for college and it works out to be a benefit to them. The specific requirements for establishing, enrolling in or withdrawing from a Plan will vary by state; please check with your state or visit www.savingforcollege.com for links to information for all the state Plans. If you are a New York State resident and would like information regarding New York State’s 529 College Savings Program, please visit www.nysaves.org.

At Columbia University, we work with families to process these benefits in a timely manner.  Plan participants are asked to contact their respective Plan to initiate the payment process. Because enrollment verification is required in most cases, Plans which require this information will be provided a copy of the student’s statement after the add/drop period, usually ten (10) days after the start of the semester.

For more information, please contact us at (212) 854-4400 or visit www.askus.columbia.edu

Payment by mail:

Checks in U.S. dollars drawn on a U.S. bank account made payable to Columbia University should be mailed to our cashiering department.  Payments by mail must be received, not simply postmarked, by the due date in order to avoid late payment charges.

Cashiering Department:
Columbia University Cashiering Department
1140 Amsterdam Avenue
210 Kent Hall
New York, NY 10027

Please note: the student’s name, Columbia University nine-digit identification number (AskUs) or UNI, and the notation “529 Plan payment” should be clearly noted in the detail/memo field.  Failure to do so may delay posting to the proper student account.