The following information will help you determine which applications and forms you need to complete and the dates you should submit them.
- Columbia is need-blind for US Citizens and Eligible Non-Citizens, meaning an applicant’s financial need does not affect his or her chances of admission.
- Though Columbia is need-blind, we do not guarantee that we can meet 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted Combined Plan students.
- It is the responsibility of the student to fulfill any unmet need in a financial aid award.
2013-2014 Application Process for Combined Plan Applicants
U.S. Citizens and Eligible Non-Citizens
| Required Forms | How to Apply | Due Dates |
|---|---|---|
CSS Profile | Complete the 2013-2014 CSS Profile online. CSS School Code: | March 1, 2013 |
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) | Complete the 2013-2014 FAFSA online. Please note that the 2013-2014 FAFSA will not be available until after January 1, 2013 FAFSA School Code: Be sure to sign your FAFSA either electronically with a PIN number provided by the Department of Education or by printing out and mailing a FAFSA signature sheet to the processor. More information on PIN numbers will be found at www.pin.ed.gov. PLEASE NOTE:Students who are not currently enrolled at Columbia or who are applying for admission to Columbia do not need to submit additional paperwork for the Federal Verification process at this time.If you do enroll at Columbia, our office will work with you during the summer to collect the required documentation. | March 1, 2013 |
2012 Tax Returns & | Submit signed copies of your and your parents’ 2012 federal tax returns (including all schedules, W-2 forms, and any business returns). Once you have completed the CSS Profile you will receive an IDOC number directly from the College Board.Please complete an IDOC packet including all of the following information:
Mail to: The Financial Aid Office strongly encourages you to complete your and your parents’ 2012 federal income taxes in February. Signed copies of parent and student 2012 federal income tax returns and W-2 forms are required for verification of the information which you report on the financial aid application forms. If you or your parents will not file a 2012 federal tax return, you/they must submit a Student/Parent Tax Non-Filer certification (available from our Downloads page). | March 1, 2013 |
CSS Noncustodial Profile (Only required if your parents are divorced, separated, or were never married.) and Noncustodial Tax Returns | If you indicated on the CSS Profile that your parents are divorced, separated, or were never married then your non-custodial parent will need to complete the CSS Noncustodial Profile. You will be sent an e-mail which will contain a link and login instructions for the Noncustodial Profile website that you will need to forward to your noncustodial parent. In addition, your noncustodial parent must send a copy of their 2012 tax returns (personal and business; all pages, all schedules and W-2s) as part of the IDOC packet (see above). If you think there will be difficulty in meeting this deadline, you must contact the financial aid office to discuss your extenuating circumstances. | March 1, 2013 |