Students at Columbia find a setting that allows them to explore diversity in a variety of ways and a university that prides itself on serious intellectual inquiry, the exploration of diverse ideas, the strength of interdisciplinary investigation, a culture of dialogue and debate and a student body who believes in service and civic engagement. In this setting students seek to understand each other and understand themselves. This is the transformative power of diversity in education-its ability to enrich the individual as it enriches the community and society as a whole. Students from all backgrounds and with divergent needs will find opportunities at Columbia that allow them to thrive and succeed. Consider this sampling of resources available for undergraduates to engage with the wonderful mosaic that is the Columbia community.

The Office of Financial Aid and Educational Financing works with students and families to develop a plan to pay for college. Columbia is committed to meeting the full demonstrated financial need of all applicants admitted as first-year students. In our quest to make Columbia affordable for all students, all students eligible for financial aid from Columbia are packaged without student loans; students from families with incomes below $60,000 do not have a parent contribution; and students from families with incomes between $60,000 and $100,000 have a reduction in their parent contribution. We believe cost should not be a barrier to anyone considering applying to or attending Columbia.

The Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) aims to promote an inclusive university climate by acting as an educational resource that prepares students to succeed in a heterogeneous and ever-changing society. Through intellectual inquiry, mentoring, advocacy, educational leadership and cultural programming, OMA serves as the primary resource for students around inter/intracultural and community issues.

Interdisciplinary Studies at Columbia allows students to explore questions of race, gender, nationality and ethnicity throughout a spectrum of departments and academic fields.  The Center for the Study of Ethnicity and Race oversees many of these interdisciplinary areas of study with faculty from fields as diverse as Music, Psychology and Anthropology. 

Academic Success Programs (ASP) houses Columbia's Opportunity Programs as well as academic tutoring and mentoring initiatives for all students. ASP serves as a resource especially for students who are coming from under-resourced backgrounds in helping them maximize their potential at Columbia. Through an array of retention-based opportunities, transitional programming, tutoring, skill-building seminars, educational and personal advising and mentoring programs, ASP offers a supportive environment for students throughout their college experience.

Earl Hall and the Office of the University Chaplain work to promote interfaith and intercultural awareness; foster learning through spiritual, ethical, religious, political and cultural exchanges; and host programs on matters of justice, faith and spirituality.  The nearly 40 different spiritual and religious organizations utilize Earl Hall as a home for worship and programming.

Civic Engagement is a long tradition at Columbia as students have sought out to bring real change to campus and the communities that surround Columbia.  Columbia’s engagement comes from a concerted effort by students to always question and seek better answers, which has led to a large network of service and activist organizations available on campus.  Through the Office of Civic Action and Engagement and Student Development and Activities, groups such as Community Impact are able to work with local communities in tackling social inequity.