FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Does Columbia offer scholarships and if so, how many?
2. What is the percentage of students who receive financial aid at Columbia?
3. Does Columbia offer merit scholarships?
4. Will my chances for admission be affected if I apply for financial aid?
5. May I appeal a financial aid package if admitted?
6. Does Columbia match financial aid packages from other schools?
7. Can I be released from my Early Decision contract because of my financial aid package?
8. Can families apply for financial aid in future years if they do not apply the first year?

Answers

1. Does Columbia offer scholarships and if so, how many?
   

   Columbia College and the undergraduate division of The Fu Foundation School of Engineering
   and Applied Science provide need-based financial aid to students, awarding grants, loans and
   on-campus work-study jobs to applicants on the basis of their family’s financial circumstances.
   There is no limit on the number of students who receive need-based financial aid as each application
   is considered individually. In 2006-2007 the average financial aid package was $27,206.

2. What is the percentage of Columbia students who receive financial aid?
   

   Approximately 50% of Columbia undergraduates receive some sort of financial assistance.
   In addition, about 80% of first-year students applying for financial aid for the 2006-2007
   year received a need-based aid award.

3. Does Columbia offer merit scholarships?

   There are no academic, athletic or talent-based institutional scholarships at Columbia as all
   of our institutional financial aid is need-based. Our students are often the recipients of merit-based
   scholarships from outside organizations (state grants/scholarships, local/national merit-based awards,
   etc.); however, no merit-based aid is offered directly from Columbia University.

4. Will my chances for admission be affected if I apply for financial aid?
   

   For United States, Mexican and Canadian citizens, permanent residents of the United States
   and students granted refugee visas by the United States:

   Admission to Columbia College and to the undergraduate division of The
   Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science is need-blind.
   This means we will consider your application without regard to your
   financial need.

   For foreign students (students who are NOT Citizens of the United States,
   Mexico and Canada, permanent residents of the United States or students granted refugee
   visas by the United States):

   Financial aid is available for foreign students, but candidates should be aware
   that the admission process is not need-blind. As a result, their applications are read
   in a more selective process. However, Columbia is committed to meeting the full need of
   all applicants admitted as first-year students regardless of their citizenship status.

   As a foreign student, you should determine what amount you feel you and your
   family could afford to pay each year for four years of study. If you conclude that you
   and your family will be unable to assume the estimated total cost of attendance, you should
   apply for financial aid at the same time you apply for admission. If you are traveling to
   Columbia from another country, you will also want to consider travel expenses.

5. May I appeal a financial aid package if admitted?
   

   1. YES, if your family’s financial circumstances changed after you submitted your financial aid application.
   2. YES, if you have complicated circumstances, and you would like us to
      take a second look at how we interpreted your family’s financial
      situation.
   3. YES, if another need-based school has provided you a different interpretation of your family’s financial circumstances.
   4. NO, if your sole reason for the appeal is that you are asking us to consider merit-based offers from other schools.

   All appeals should be submitted in writing and you may do so at any time during the year.
   If you would like to discuss your award, please call the Office of Financial Aid and Educational
   Financing to speak with one of our financial aid advisors: 212-854-3711.

6. Does Columbia match financial aid packages from other schools?
   

   It is not our policy to automatically match other offers, and we do not negotiate financial aid awards.
   We will not match offers from institutions that offer merit-based awards. However, if you fax us a copy
   of another need-based offer, we will review your application to determine if a change is appropriate.
   We do this because different schools may have different information at the time the application was evaluated.
   Or perhaps your circumstances are complex and have been interpreted differently by another school. The new
   documentation you provide our office may give us a better understanding of your family’s financial circumstances.

7. Can I be released from my Early Decision contract because of my financial aid package?
   

   It is extremely rare for a family to ask to be released from the Early
   Decision commitment for financial reasons. There are usually only two
   or three families each year that are released for financial aid
   reasons, and this is normally due to a lack of understanding of
   need-based aid (i.e., they were expecting merit-based aid, they did not
   submit complete information when using a financial aid estimator, etc).

   It is the family’s determination that they cannot afford to pay for a
   Columbia education that allows them to be released from the binding
   early decision admission offer. The family must first speak with a
   financial aid officer, before the release is granted. Ultimately, it is
   the family’s decision whether or not they feel capable of accepting the
   need-based Columbia financial aid award.

   Those who do opt out of their Early Decision contract are released to pursue lower-cost school
   options, such as state schools and/or schools that award merit aid. The admission offer at Columbia is
   then cancelled. A candidate who declines Columbia’s Early Decision offer will not be allowed to reconsider
   Columbia’s financial aid estimate during the spring Regular Decision cycle and will not be able to reinstate
   the original offer of admission.

8. Can families apply for financial aid in future years if they do not apply the first year?
   

   Yes. A family that experiences a change in circumstances may apply for
   financial aid at any time. For example, it is not uncommon for a family
   to suffer a job loss or illness or for a younger sibling to begin
   attending college. Please note that institutional aid will usually be
   awarded only in cases that involve an involuntary change in
   circumstances. Parents who decide to retire early or to invest in a
   business start-up may not be awarded institutional aid. It is a good
   idea to include a letter describing your family’s change in
   circumstances with any new financial aid application.

   Please note: foreign students and transfer students who were admitted without institutional financial
   aid are not guaranteed institutional financial aid even if there is a change in circumstances.