Many Columbia students receive funding from outside organizations, including merit-based scholarships, tuition benefits from an employer, ROTC and Veteran’s Benefits (Post-911 GI Bill benefits).

The resources that students receive from outside sources become part of the financial aid award. Outside scholarships enable students to reduce the standard Student Contribution from income and Work-Study/Student Employment portions of the financial aid package.

Please note that these resources cannot be used to reduce or pay the Parent Contribution or any Student Contribution due to student assets, but can be used to cover the cost of Columbia medical insurance.

If an outside scholarship exceeds the total student responsibility, we will reduce the Columbia Grant by the excess amount. Please review our FAQ page detailing our laptop policy if you are a first-year student with outside resources exceeding the total student responsibility. Note the laptop policy is not applicable to tablet purchases.

How do I report my outside scholarships to Columbia?

US Citizen, Eligible NonCitizen, or Undocumented Students: Please complete the Outside Scholarship and External Payment Form through the College Board IDOC system if you are applying for financial aid as US Citizen, Eligible NonCitizen, or Undocumented student. The form will be available once you complete the CSS profile and have gained access to the IDOC system.

*Please do not complete the Outside Scholarship and External Payment Form located on our website if you are applying as a US Citizen, Eligible NonCitizen, or Undocumented student.*

International Students: All International students should complete the Outside Scholarship and External Payment Form as part of their application for financial aid each year, even if they have not received any outside scholarships.

*International students cannot complete the Outside Scholarship & External Payment Form through the IDOC system and must complete the form on our website.*

If an outside agency requires a certification form to be completed, who should I contact?

Our officers can complete outside scholarship certification forms that request information about the cost of attendance and other financial aid received by a student. We can also certify basic enrollment information on that same form.

The Office of the Registrar can complete certification forms that solely require enrollment/registration information.

What should I do with my scholarship check?

Scholarship checks should be made payable to "Columbia University" and be mailed using USPS to the following address:

Financial Aid and Educational Financing

100 Hamilton Hall, MC 2802

1130 Amsterdam Avenue

New York, NY 10027

ATTN: Outside Scholarship Coordinator

Phone: 212-854-3711
Email: ugrad-finaid@columbia.edu

Please include your full name and Columbia ID# in either the memo field of the check or accompanying documentation so that the funds can be correctly applied to your account.

How do I apply for the Yellow Ribbon Program?

New and current undergraduate students of Columbia College and The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science may apply for Yellow Ribbon Funding by completing our Yellow Ribbon Program Application. Students who qualify are eligible for up to $10,000 in matching grants. For more information on our Yellow Ribbon Program, please contact our office or visit the Yellow Ribbon Program website.