Financial Aid Information for International Students

Funding from Columbia

School policy and limited funding do not allow us to offer financial aid to international students during their first year of study. We do, however, offer limited awards in the second year to supplement existing resources. Students interested in these grant funds should contact the Office of Student Financial Services at the School of Social Work in writing prior to entering their second year.

The School also offers limited low interest rate (5%) loans not to exceed $8,500 to international students. This loan is based on availability and eligibility. It requires a co-maker who must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States, be employed or otherwise have an income in the U.S., have sufficient income or assets, and not be an employee of Columbia University.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at (212) 851-2293 or write to:
Columbia University School of Social Work
Office of Financial Aid
1255 Amsterdam Avenue
Suite 514
New York, NY 10027
swfinaid@columbia.edu

Applications will only be reviewed when all required documentation has been received and the student has been admitted. After careful review, students are then sent an official letter describing any loans and scholarship for which they are eligible.

Required Documents: Below is the required document needed to apply for Scholarships and/or Private loans.

Columbia University Financial Aid Application


Loan Options

International students may chose from several alternative loan programs such as CitiAssist, International Access, and Signature, if they can secure a co-borrower who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Both the applicant and co-borrower must meet the credit requirements of the loan program. To request applications and information you may contact the CUSSW Office of Financial Aid.


To the right is a list of the degree programs offered at CUSSW. Please read through these carefully to determine the financial aid requirement you will need to complete for the type of aid you are requesting and/or are eligible.

Fellowship Aid

American Association of University Women Educational Foundation
2201 N. Dodge Street
Department 60
Iowa City, IA 52243-4030
(319)337-1716 ext. 60
Fax: (319)337-1204
www.aauw.org

The American Association of University Women awards fellowship stipends to full-time graduate students who are women, and pursuing graduate study in the United States. Awards are based on the applicants' professional potential and the importance of their studies to women in their country of origin. Preference is given to women who show prior commitment to the advancement of women through civic, community, or professional work.

PEO International Peace Scholarships
PEO-IPS Fund
3700 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50312-2899
Ph: 515-255-3153
Fax: 515-255-3820
The purpose of this award is to allow women from other countries to pursue graduate study in the US and Canada.

Eligibility: Women only
Nationality/residency: Unrestricted except US and Canadian nationals.
Other criteria: Applicants must promise to return to their home countries and pursue a professional career.
Financial data: Average amount per award: $6,000 and can be renewed.
Award includes: tuition
Application information: Applicants must request an eligibility information sheet by December 13. If you are found eligible you will be sent an application that is due by January 31. A letter of acceptance should be received by April 1.
Notification date: May 1

Scholarships to Help with Housing Costs
Director of Admissions
International House
500 Riverside Drive
New York, NY 10027-3916
(212)316-8436
Fax: (212)316-1827
www.ihouse-nyc.org
Contact: Megan Amouzou
Email: mamouzou@ihouse-nyc.org
This scholarship is awarded on the basis of financial need to help with housing costs during student's stay at International House.

Eligibility: Nationality/residency: Unrestricted; US nationals resident in the US may apply.
Other criteria: Must be resident of International House.
Diversity: Special efforts are made to encourage applications from underrepresented groups; Geographic, institutional and areas of study as well as gender diversity are sought.
Application information: Deadline: Rolling
Financial data: Average amount per award: $1,000

The Margaret McNamara Memorial Fund
This award honors the late Margaret McNamara and her commitment to the well-being of women and children in developing countries.

Eligibility: Scholarship is based on demonstrated financial need and is only given to women.
Nationality/residency: Residing in the US, but not a permanent resident (green card holder) and must be a national of a developing country. Please contact MMMF to determine whether you are from an eligible country.
Age: Applicant must be at least 25 years old by December 31.
Other Criteria: Awarded to applicants with a record of service to women and/or children in applicant's country and who plan to return to country of origin in about two years. A recipient cannot be related to any World Bank Group staff member or his/her spouse.
Average Amount per award: $6,000; Awards are not renewable. Applications must be requested in writing from:
The Margaret McNamara Memorial Fund
1818 H Street, NW, Room G-1000
Washington, DC 20433
(202) 473-8751
Fax: (202) 676-0419
Email: mmmf@worldbank.org

USIA Fulbright Student Program
The goal of the Program is to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries through educational exchange.

Eligibility: Must be a citizen of a participating country.
Other criteria: The applicant must inquire at the Fulbright Commission or USIS post in their home country about the application procedure. All applications must be submitted either to the home country's Commission or USIS post. As a general rule the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and Graduate Record Examination (GRE) are required; however, there are exceptions. All foreign student Fulbright grantees are required by the U.S. Information Agency and the FSB to be on "J'' visas under Exchange Visitor Program No. G-1-1 only for the duration of their financial sponsorship including travel.
Average amount per award: $20,000-$25,000
Award includes: tuition, travel, research expenses, health insurance, stipend
Diversity: Special efforts are made to encourage application from women, underrepresented groups, ethnic minorities, economically disadvantaged, disabled
Deadline: December Notification date: Varies
Contact: US Embassy in applicant's home country,
USIA Fulbright Scholar Program
Council for International Exchange of Scholars
3007 Tilden Street NW, Suite 5L
Washington, DC 20008-3009
e-mail: scholars@cies.iie.org

or

Institute of International Education
809 United Nations Plaza
New York, NY 10017-3580
www.iie.org

Rotary Foundation Multi-Year Ambassadorial Scholarship
Rotary Foundation of Rotary International
One Rotary Center
1560 Sherman Avenue
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 866-3320; Fax: (847) 328-8554;
Web Site: http://www.rotary.org
The aim of this award is to increase understanding and friendly relations among peoples of different countries.

Eligibility: Applicants should be proficient in the host country's language; be citizens of a country inn which there is a Rotary Club; and have completed at least two years of university course work when the scholarship begins.
Location: Unrestricted, but not an area where candidate has lived or studied before.
Average amount per award: $11,000 per year
Award includes: stipend
Deadline: Set by individual Rotary Clubs between March and July.
Procedure: Contact your local Rotary Club in your home town or where you work or study.

Sources of Information

Funding for U.S. Studies: A Guide for Citizens of Other Nations
($39.95 + 6.00 shipping) ISBN: 087206-219-8
Institute of International Education
P.O. Box 371
Annapolis Junction, MD 20701
1-800-445-0443 www.iiebooks.org
List grants offered by governments, foundations and international organizations.