Award Acceptance
Receiving your awards
To receive the awards stated in your award letter you need the following steps to assure you receive your awards on a timely manner. Except for some outside scholarships, all financial aid awards are disbursed directly to the University and the disbursement dates of these awards are determined by the office of financial aid. Generally, all annual awards are disbursed in two equal installments, one at the beginning of each semester. For the 2008-2009 academic year, the disbursement dates for Stafford and private loans are September 2nd for the fall semester and January 20th for the spring. Scholarships and Perkins loans will be disbursed after the Add/Drop period on September 12th and January 30th. Please click below for required documents and more important information.
Loan Request Form
Scholarships
Return your signed Acceptance Form that came with your Financial Aid award letter. Please note that you must borrow a minimum of $8,500 in Subsidized Stafford Loan. To get additional information on scholarships please click here.
Work Study
Return your signed Acceptance Form that came with your Financial Aid award letter. Down load and complete the necessary tax forms and direct deposit authorization form and submit them to the Federal Work Study Payroll Office at 209 Philosophy Hall by no later than Friday, September 12th. Please note that you must borrow a minimum of $8,500 in Subsidized Stafford Loan. To download the forms and get additional information on the federal work study program please click here.
Perkins Loan
Return your signed Acceptance Form that came with your Financial Aid award letter. First time borrowers at Columbia University School of Social Work must complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) at 210 Kent Hall during orientation, please contact Alexandria Monroe at 212-854-1529 or via email at am48@columbia.edu with any further questions. You also have the option of filling the MPN on line by using your PID by clicking here. Please be advised you must also participate in a loan entrance session. You have the option of completing it at https://admissions.columbia.edu/
Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loan
1. Return your signed Acceptance Form, And Loan Request Form that came with your award letter indicating the total in all Stafford loans you wish to receive (up to the maximum listed on your award letter). First time borrowers can choose to select a lender from the preferred lender list. If you have outstanding Federal Stafford Loans, and are satisfied with current loan servicing, you may choose to stay with the same lender.
2. Submit all requested documents and information to the Office of Financial Aid. Once your file is complete, we will electronically certify your Stafford loan.
3. First time borrowers will receive a Master Promissory Note (MPN) from your selected lender. One MPN will cover all future Stafford loans taken out as a graduate student at Columbia University School of Social Work
up to 10 years, provided you borrow from the same lender each year. Please Note: your preprinted MPN will be sent to the most current mailing address on file, or you will receive an email from your lender letting you know where to electronically sign your MPN. Be sure to keep your address current.
4. Your lender will notify you once your loan has been approved . Loan funds will be credited to your student account at the start of each semester. Loan funds will first be applied toward tuition and fees; a refund will be issued if there is a credit balance remaining on your account.
Private / Alternative Loan
1. Return your signed Acceptance Form, and Loan Request Form indicating the total amount of private loan you wish to receive(up to the maximum listed on your award letter). Please Note: Private loans are subject to the lender's credit approval.
2. Apply online or by phone after May 1st with your selected lender. Please have the following information available for the credit pre-approval process: your driver's license number, social security number, and the names and addresses of two references. If you are applying with a cosigner, have the cosigner, also go through the pre-approval process. (applying by phone allows the lender to discuss loan options and provide you with more personalized assistance).
3. Your lender will notify us of your credit pre-approval. After receiving this notice, we will electronically certify your loan. When your lender receives both your signed applications / promissory note and your our certifications, your loan funds will be scheduled for disbursement. Loan funds will first be applied toward tuition and fees; a refund will be issued if there is a credit balance remaining on your account.
Disbursements
Except for some outside scholarships,
all financial aid awards are disbursed directly to the University
and the disbursement dates of these awards are determined
by the office of financial aid. Generally, all annual awards
are disbursed in two equal installments, one at the beginning
of each semester. For the 2008-2009 academic year, the disbursement
dates for Stafford and private loans are September 2nd for
the fall semester and January 20th for the spring. For Advanced Standing Students the disbursement dates for the Summer and Fall are July 30th and September 2nd. For the Spring semester will be January 20th. Scholarships
and Perkins loans will be disbursed after the Add/Drop period
on September 12th and January 20th.
Refunds
If your total amount of loans and scholarship
exceeds the semester cost of tuition and fees and you would
like to use this credit for living expenses, you will need
to request a refund from Student Financial Services. Refunds
may be requested both in person, at the Student Financial
Services help desk in 210 Kent Hall, or by phone at 212-854-4206.
You may also request a refund via Students Services Online
by clicking here.
Once processed, a refund check will be sent to you in the
mail and should arrive within 5-7 business days or it can
be direct deposited into your account within 3-5 business
days.
In-School Deferments
Unless you have forfeited your eligibility
for a deferment, you are not required to make payment on
federal loans while
enrolled half-time or more at the Columbia School of Social
Work. In order to defer these loans, first contact your
loan servicer and notify them of your anticipated enrollment.
If they require paper documentation, request an in-school
deferment form and have it authorized by the registrar’s
office in 205 Kent Hall. In many instances, however, your
loan servicer will have already been notified electronically
of your new enrollment and a deferment form will be unnecessary.
Note: Students must be officially registered before deferment
forms can be processed.
Health Insurance Fee Waiver
If you are a full-time student, you
will automatically be enrolled in the University’s health
insurance plan and assessed a corresponding fee each semester.
However, if you have your own medical coverage and do not
wish to utilize the University’s plan, you may submit
proof of insurance to Chickering Claims Administrators and
have this fee waived. Traditionally, waiver forms are enclosed
in students’ registration materials but you are also
welcome to contact Chickering Claims at 800-859-8471 for waiver
forms and information.
Note: The deadline to waive this fee is September 30th
for the fall semester and February 2nd for the spring.
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