We believe cost should not be a barrier to pursuing one’s educational dreams. A Columbia education is possible for students from families of all sorts of socioeconomic backgrounds. Here’s how:

Need-blind. Admission to Columbia is need-blind for US Citizens, US Permanent Residents and persons granted refugee visas by the US, meaning the Office of Undergraduate Admissions considers your application without regard to your financial need. International / non-domestic applicants, please see International Financial Aid information.

Need-based. Financial aid at Columbia is need-based; there are no academic, athletic or talent-based institutional scholarships. Instead, we evaluate your family’s ability to pay based on the information you provide us in your financial aid application.

Four years of full need. Columbia meets 100% of the demonstrated financial need for all students admitted as first-years and transfers, including international / non-domestic students. And we continue to meet 100% of your demonstrated financial need for all four years of study. For an estimate of the need-based financial aid for which you may qualify, visit our Net Price Calculator. Combined Plan applicants, please see Combined Plan information.

No loans. Loans are not a component of financial aid packages. Our need-based aid is in the form of grants and work-study positions.

No parent contribution. For students coming from families with calculated total incomes of less than $60,000 annually (and typical assets), parents are not expected to contribute to the cost of attendance.

Reduced parent contribution. For those students coming from families with calculated total incomes between $60,000 and $100,000 annually (and typical assets), Columbia offers a significantly reduced parent contribution.

Broad eligibility. There is no official income limit for financial aid eligibility, and families earning over $100,000 can still qualify for significant financial aid from Columbia.

Additional funding for opportunities. To support students pursuing study abroad, research, internships and community service opportunities, Columbia offers additional funding and exemptions from academic year and summer work expectations.

International aid. While Columbia is not need-blind for international/non-domestic students, Columbia admits a large number of international students who apply for and receive a substantial amount of financial aid. Columbia meets 100% of the demonstrated financial need for admitted international students who apply for and demonstrate financial need at the time of admission.

Guidance for all.Even families who do not apply for or receive financial aid can benefit from our support and expertise. We offer all enrolled students and their families one-on-one guidance about the financial aid application process, student and parent loans, paying the bill, budgeting and more.