• Read all application instructions carefully
• Be sure to meet all deadlines. Need-based institutional aid can be guaranteed only to students who meet deadlines for all forms.
• Print the student's name and Social Security Number on all documents which you submit to the Office of Financial Aid & Educational Financing.
• Keep copies of all documents which you submit.
• Sign up for your Federal Pin early. Both you and one of your custodial parents should request a PIN so that you may complete and sign your FAFSA online.

Helpful Tips

Parent and/or Student Signature on FAFSA missing:
When the FAFSA was filed either you or one of your custodial parents did not sign and date the signature page of the FAFSA. In order to complete the FAFSA both you and one of your custodial parents must sign and date the FAFSA. Go to http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ to complete.

Tax Documents are missing:
Your parents and/or noncustodial parents should forward signed copies of their 2007 Federal Tax Return, including all pages, schedules and W-2 forms to the address listed below.

If your parents are not required to file a 2007 tax return, they should complete the Parent Non-Tax Filer Statement.

Student Taxes are missing:
Your must forward a signed copy of your 2007 Federal Tax Return, including all pages, schedules and W-2 forms to the address listed below.

If you are not required to file a 2007 tax return, they you should complete the Student Non-Tax Filer Statement.

FAFSA is missing:
If you have not filed your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), you must do so immediately at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

If you have filed your FAFSA, then you should have received a copy of your Student Aid Report (SAR). Please verify that Columbia’s school code ( Columbia College: E00485, Engineering: E00486) was listed in the School Section. If you are missing the school code then please make a correction adding Columbia’s school code.

Verification of Citizenship:
When you applied for federal student aid, the federal government was not able to confirm your citizenship status and we are now required to obtain documentation from you to confirm it. Please send us a photocopy of one of the following: US Birth Certificate, US Passport (current or expired), Certificate of Citizenship, or Certificate of Naturalization.

Verification of Permanent Residency:
When you applied for federal student aid, the federal government was not able to confirm your permanent residency status and we are now required to obtain documentation from you to confirm it. Please send us a photocopy of one of the following: back and front of your Alien Registration Receipt Card (Green Card), your passport if stamped as valid for I-1551, or your I-94 Departure Record if stamped as valid for I-1551 or as a refugee or if granted asylum.

Verification of Selective Service Status:
When you applied for federal student aid, the federal government was not able to confirm that you are registered with Selective Service and we are now required to obtain documentation from you to confirm it. Please send us a photocopy of your Selective Service Registration Acknowledgement. You may register and/or obtain documentation through their website: http://www.sss.gov/

Verification Worksheet is missing:
Your FAFSA has been selected at random for Verification by the Department of Education. We are required by federal regulations to verify the accuracy of the information reported on your FAFSA form. In order to do this, you must complete a Verification Worksheet.

Mail or Fax application materials to:

Office of Financial Aid & Educational Financing
Columbia University
100 Hamilton Hall, MC 2802
1130 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY 10027
212-854-5353