Financial Aid for Graduate Study

Financing Graduate Education

The academic departments of Columbia Engineering and the Office of Student Financial Planning seek to ensure that all academically qualified students have enough financial support to enable them to work toward their degree. Possible forms of support for tuition, fees, books, and living expenses are: institutional grants, fellowships, teaching and research assistantships, on- or off-campus employment, and student loans. The Office of Student Financial Planning assists students with developing financing plans for completing a degree.

Columbia University graduate funds are administered by two separate branches of the University, and the application materials required by the two branches differ. Institutional grants, fellowships, and teaching and research assistantships are all departmentally administered. Questions regarding these awards should be directed to your academic department. Federal Student Loans (Unsubsidized and Graduate PLUS) and private student loans are administered by the Office of Student Financial Planning.

Questions about loans should be directed to the financial aid office via email at sfp@columbia.edu or phone at 212-854-7040.

Further information can be found at sfs.columbia.edu/sfp-grad-engin.

Instructions for Financial Aid Applicants

Deadlines

Apply for financial aid at the same time that you apply for admission. Your admissions application must be received by the December 15 deadline to be eligible for The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science departmental funding (institutional grants, fellowships, and teaching and research assistantships). Spring admissions applicants will not be considered for departmental funding.

Incoming applicants and continuing students should complete the FAFSA at studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa for fall enrollment.

Guidelines for continuing students are available from departmental advisers in advance of the established deadline. All continuing supported students must preregister for classes during the preregistration period.

Graduate School Departmental Funding

The graduate departments of Columbia Engineering offer an extensive array of funding. Funding decisions, based solely on merit, and contingent upon making satisfactory academic progress, are made by the departments. All applicants for admission and continuing students maintaining satisfactory academic standing will be considered for departmental funds. Applicants should contact their department directly for information. Columbia Engineering prospective and continuing graduate students must complete their FAFSA in order to be considered for all forms of graduate financing. The application for admission to Columbia Engineering graduate programs is also used to apply for departmental funding. Outside scholarships for which you qualify must be reported to your department and the Office of Student Financial Planning. The School reserves the right to adjust your institutional award if you hold an outside scholarship, fellowship, or other outside funding.

Institutional Grants

Institutional grants are awarded to graduate students on the basis of academic merit. Recipients must maintain satisfactory academic standing.

Fellowships

Fellowships are financial and intellectual awards for academic merit that provide stipends to be used by fellows to further their research. If you are awarded a fellowship, you are expected to devote time to your own work, and you are not required to render any service to the University or donor. You may publish research produced by your fellowship work. As a fellow, you may not engage in remunerative employment without consent of the Dean. Applicants should contact the department directly for information.

Assistantships

Teaching and research assistantships, available to doctoral students in all departments, provide tuition exemption and a living stipend. Duties may include teaching, laboratory supervision, participation in faculty research, and other related activities. Teaching and research assistantships require up to 20 hours of work per week. If you are participating in faculty research that fulfills degree requirements, you may apply for a research assistantship. Assistantships are awarded on the basis of academic merit.

Alternative Funding Sources

External Awards

Because it is not possible to offer full grant and fellowship support to all graduate students and because of the prestige inherent in holding an award through open competition, applicants are encouraged to consider major national and international fellowship opportunities. It is important that prospective graduate students explore every available source of funding for graduate study.

In researching outside funding you may look to faculty advisers, career services offices, deans of students, and offices of financial aid where frequently you may find resource materials, books, and grant applications for a wide variety of funding sources. You must notify both your Columbia Engineering academic department and the Office of Student Financial Planning of any outside awards that you will be receiving.

Funding for International Students

To secure a visa, international students must demonstrate that they have sufficient funding to complete the degree. Many international students obtain support for their educational expenses from their government, a foundation, or a private agency.

International students who apply to doctoral programs of study by the December 15 deadline and are admitted to a Columbia Engineering doctoral program are automatically considered for departmental funding (institutional grants, fellowships, and teaching and research assistantships), upon completion of the required financial aid forms referred to above. Continuing international students must preregister for classes during the preregistration period and complete an enrollment status form to be considered for departmental funding.

Most private student loan programs are restricted to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. However, international students may be eligible to apply for these domestic loan programs with a creditworthy cosigner who is a citizen or permanent resident in the United States. Depending on the loan program, you may need a valid U.S. Social Security number.

Students who study at Columbia Engineering on temporary visas should fully understand the regulations concerning possible employment under those visas. Before making plans for employment in the United States, international students should consult with the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO), located at 524 Riverside Drive, Suite 200; 212-854-3587. Its website is isso.columbia.edu.

Other Financial Aid—Federal and Private Programs

U.S. citizens and permanent residents enrolled at least half-time in a degree-granting program are eligible to apply for federal student loans. To apply for federal student loans, students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) using Columbia University’s school code 002707 by May 5 for fall enrollment.

Several private student loan programs are available to both U.S. citizens and international students. These loans require that you have a good credit standing. International students may be eligible for a private loan with a creditworthy U.S. citizen or permanent resident cosigner.

Detailed information and application instructions for student loans may be found at the Office of Student Financial Planning website at sfs.columbia.edu/sfp-grad-engin.

Determination of your eligibility for financial aid is based in part on the number of courses for which you register. If you enroll in fewer courses than you initially reported on the loan request form, your loan eligibility may be reduced.

The FAFSA, planned enrollment form, and the loan request form must be completed each academic year, and you must maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined in the Graduate Programs section in order to remain eligible for federal student loans.

Veterans Benefits

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as state and local government, offers a number of educational assistance programs for veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces and their dependents. Based on the time and length of service, as well as current status, veterans can be eligible for one or more of these programs. Many benefits are available to advance the education and skills of veterans and service members. Spouses and family members may also be eligible for education and training assistance. Please visit Vets.gov to apply for education benefits.

To qualify for deferred tuition payments, please provide a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility and DD-214 (please note the DD-214 is not required for dependents) to the Columbia Office of Military & Veterans Affairs (OMVA).

For assistance with utilizing your benefits as well as understanding the timeline of payments, please contact a School Certifying Official at 212-854-3161 or veterans@columbia.edu.

For questions related to the status of the VA application or entitlement eligibility, contact the Department of Veterans Affairs at 1-888-442-4551.

Additional resources and veterans news can be found at sfs.columbia.edu/departments/veterans-service.

Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018

In accordance with Title 38 US Code 3679 subsection (e), this school adopts the following additional provisions for any students using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post 9/11 G.I. Bill® (Ch. 33) or Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from the VA. This school will not:

  • Prevent or delay the student's enrollment;
  • Assess a late penalty fee to the student;
  • Require the student to secure alternative or additional funding;
  • Deny the student access to any resources available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution, including, but not limited to, access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities.

However, to qualify for this provision, such students may be required to:

  • Produce the Certificate of Eligibility by the first day of class;
  • Provide written request to be certified;
  • Provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment as described in other institutional policies.

Further information can be found at sfs.columbia.edu/content/information.

Employment

Students on fellowship support must obtain the permission of the Dean before accepting remunerative employment.

Students who study at Columbia Engineering on temporary visas should fully understand the regulations concerning possible employment under those visas. Before making plans for employment in the United States, international students should consult with the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) located at 524 Riverside Drive, Suite 200; 212-854-3587. Its website is isso.columbia.edu.

On-Campus Employment

The Graduate Career Placement Center maintains an extensive listing of student employment opportunities. Many resources are available to Columbia engineers and scientists in their job search and career exploration. For more information, visit: career.engineering.columbia.edu

Off-Campus Employment in New York City

One of the nation’s largest urban areas, the city offers a wide variety of opportunities for part-time work. Many students gain significant experience in fields related to their research and study while they meet a portion of their educational expenses.

Gainful Employment Disclosures

Programs: Engineer of Mines and Metallurgical Engineer

These programs are designed to be completed in 32 weeks.

These programs will cost $71,998 if completed within the normal time. There may be additional costs for living expenses. These costs were accurate at the time of the posting but may have changed.

Fewer than 10 students completed this program within the normal time. This number has been withheld to preserve the confidentiality of the students.

The following states/territories do not have licensure requirements for this profession: Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Federated States of Micronesia, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Marshall Islands, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Marianas, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Palau, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

For more information about graduation rates, loan repayment rates, and post-enrollment earnings about this institution and other postsecondary institutions, please read further on collegescorecard.ed.gov.

For the specific Columbia Gainful Employment Disclosures, please review them both at essential-policies.columbia.edu/files_facets/imce_shared/isclosure_CU_Template_2019_Engineer_of_Mines.pdf and essential-policies.columbia.edu/files_facets/imce_shared/sure_CU_Template_2019_Metallurgical_Engineer.pdf.

Contact Information

For questions about institutional grants, fellowships, and teaching and research assistantships, contact your academic department.

For questions about on- or off-campus non-need-based employment, contact:

Graduate Career Placement Center
Phone: 646-832-5941
seas-gcp@columbia.edu
career.engineering.columbia.edu.

For questions about student loans, contact:

Office of Student Financial Planning
210 Kent Hall, MC 9205
1140 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY 10027

Phone: 212-854-7040
Fax: 212-854-2818
sfp@columbia.edu
sfs.columbia.edu/sfp-grad-engin