Columbia provides financial aid for the traditional fall and spring semesters only. Some summer funding opportunities do exist outside of financial aid for those students interning, working on research projects, taking classes, or studying abroad over the summer. Please see the links below for additional information.
Please note that the Student Contribution (summer earnings requirement) is still expected from students who are participating in elective summer programs.
Unpaid Internships / Research Projects / Community Service
Summer Study Abroad Funding Options
- Center for Undergraduate Global Engagement
- Engineering Research Opportunity Funding
- Gilman Scholarship Program
- Student Loans (see below)
Student Loans for Summer Classes
Students may borrow loans to cover summer classes that apply toward their degree program. These courses may be taken at Columbia or at another university, pending approval from the Center for Student Advising and/or Undergraduate Global Engagement.
If you plan to take summer courses at another university, a Consortium or Contractual Agreement needs to be completed by your advisor and the Host Institution. Please contact our office regarding the process.
Students enrolled in six credits or more may borrow a Federal Direct Student Loan up to their yearly maximum. Students can borrow in the summer if they have remaining federal student loan eligibility from the preceding fall and spring semesters.
Parents also may borrow a Federal Parent PLUS Loan to cover summer educational costs. This will have no effect on their eligibility for PLUS during the academic year. See our loan page for additional information about federal loan options.
Students enrolled for the summer at any level of credits, including those at less than six credits, are eligible for educational loans secured through private lenders.