Combined Plan - US Citizens & Eligible Non-Citizens

2012-2013 Application Process for Combined Plan Applicants

The following information will help you determine which applications and forms you need to complete and the dates you should submit them.

  • Columbia is need-blind for US Citizens and Eligible Non-Citizens, meaning an applicant’s financial need does not affect his or her chances of admission.
  • Though Columbia is need-blind, we do not guarantee that we can meet 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted Combined Plan students.
  • It is the responsibility of the student to fulfill any unmet need in a financial aid award. 
U.S. Citizens and Eligible Non-Citizens
Required Forms How to Apply Due Dates

CSS Profile

Complete the 2012-2013 CSS Profile online.

CSS School Code:
Fu Foundation School of Engineering & Applied Science 2116

March 1, 2012

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Complete the 2012-2013 FAFSA online.

Please note that the 2012-2013 FAFSA will not be available until after January 1, 2012

FAFSA School Code:
Columbia University: 002707

Be sure to sign your FAFSA either electronically with a PIN number provided by the Department of Education or by printing out and mailing a FAFSA signature sheet to the processor. More information on PIN numbers will be found at www.pin.ed.gov.

March 1, 2012

2011 Tax Returns &
W-2 Forms

Submit signed copies of your and your parents’ 2011 federal tax returns (including all schedules, W-2 forms, and any business returns).

 

Once you have completed the CSS Profile you will receive an IDOC number directly from the College Board.Please complete an IDOC packet including all of the following information:

  • College Board IDOC Cover Sheet
  • Signed copies of Parent & Student 2011 federal income tax returns and W-2 forms. Please do not send state tax returns. (If either you and/or your parents will not file a 2011 federal tax return, you must submit a Parent Non-Filer certification and/or a Student Non-Filer certification.
  • Additional Forms (if applicable):
    • 2011 Business/Farm Tax Documents:
      • Sole proprietors must submit Schedule C and/or Schedule F (Farm).
      • Corporations must submit K-1s, as well as the complete federal 1120/1120-S returns.
      • Partnerships must submit K-1s, as well as the complete federal 1065 returns.
    • Noncustodial Parent tax return and W-2s
    • Letter of special circumstances

Mail to:
The College Board IDOC
PO Box 4017
Mount Vernon, IL 62864

Students may check the status of their application online via SSOL Financial Aid System Online.

The Financial Aid Office strongly encourages you to complete your and your parents' 2011 federal income taxes in February. Signed copies of parent and student 2011 federal income tax returns and W-2 forms are required for verification of the information which you report on the financial aid application forms.

If you or your parents will not file a 2011 federal tax return, you/they must submit a Student/Parent Tax Non-Filer certification (available from our Downloads page).

March 1, 2012

CSS Noncustodial Profile
(Only required if your parents are divorced, separated, or were never married.)

If you indicated on the CSS Profile that your parents are divorced, separated, or were never married then your non-custodial parent will need to complete the CSS Noncustodial Profile. You will be sent an e-mail which will contain a link and login instructions for the Noncustodial Profile website that you will need to forward to your noncustodial parent.

In addition, your noncustodial parent must send a copy of their 2011 tax returns (personal and business; all pages, all schedules and W-2s) as part of the IDOC packet (see above).

If you think there will be difficulty in meeting this deadline, you must contact the financial aid office to discuss your extenuating circumstances.

March 1, 2012