Columbia University Scholarships 2025: A Guide to Applying!

Columbia University, an Ivy League institution, is known for its academic excellence but also for its high tuition costs of over $66,000 per year for programs. Fortunately, Columbia University scholarships help students ease this financial burden. With nearly 58% of undergraduates receiving some form of aid and an average grant of $63,971, Columbia ensures that financial need doesn’t limit access to world-class education. Whether you're an undergraduate, graduate, or international student, this guide covers all the scholarships available and how to secure funding for your studies.

Scholarships Available at Columbia University

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Columbia University offers a range of funding opportunities to help students manage tuition costs. Columbia University scholarships include need-based grants for undergraduate students, departmental awards for graduate programs, and external funding options. Whether you're looking for scholarships at Columbia University as a domestic or international student, financial aid is available to support your academic journey. Explore the best scholarships Columbia University has to offer

1. Columbia University Scholarships for Undergraduate Students

Columbia University ensures affordability by offering financial aid to undergraduate students. Columbia University scholarships for undergraduate students are granted based on financial need, ensuring students can pursue their studies without financial strain. These scholarships Columbia University provides include institutional grants, federal and state aid, and special funding programs. Below is a detailed breakdown of available undergraduate scholarships at Columbia University and their eligibility criteria.

Undergraduate Scholarship Opportunities at Columbia University

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Scholarship Name	Grant Amount	Eligibility	Scholarship Type
Columbia Grant Aid	Up to full tuition coverage	Based on demonstrated financial need; requires FAFSA and CSS Profile.	Need-based
Federal Pell Grant	Up to $7,395/year	U.S. undergraduate students with exceptional financial need.	Government-funded
Federal SEOG Grant	$100–$4,000/year	U.S. students with high financial need; priority given to Pell Grant recipients.	Government-funded
NY State TAP Grant	Up to $5,665/year	New York State residents attending Columbia full-time.	State-funded
Yellow Ribbon Program	Covers tuition and fees	Veterans and eligible dependents receiving Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits.	Veteran benefit
Columbia College Grant	Up to full tuition	Need-based grant for Columbia College students based on financial status.	Need-based
School of Engineering Grant	Up to full tuition	Need-based financial aid for students enrolled in Columbia’s Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science.	Need-based
Columbia Undergraduate Scholars Program	$10,000–$25,000/year	Awarded to select students in recognition of leadership, academic achievement, and financial need.	Merit & Need-based
Columbia Family Grant	$2,000–$10,000/year	Additional aid for students from families with multiple children in college.	Need-based
Columbia Financial Aid Initiative (CFAI)	Up to full tuition and fees	Covers tuition for families earning less than $150,000 per year.	Need-based
Work-Study Program	$3,000–$4,500/year (part-time work)	Available to students demonstrating financial need; allows them to work on-campus jobs to cover educational expenses.	Need-based (Work-study)
Columbia Opportunity Grant	$500–$2,000 (one-time grant)	Awarded to students with sudden financial hardships or emergencies.	Emergency Grant
Community College Transfer Opportunity Program (CCTOP)	Up to full tuition	Available to transfer students from participating community colleges, based on academic merit and financial need.	Merit & Need-based

To apply for Columbia University scholarships for undergraduate students, students must submit the CSS Profile and FAFSA by the financial aid deadlines. Scholarships Columbia University offers are primarily need-based, ensuring that students from various financial backgrounds can access a world-class education.

2. Columbia University Scholarships for Graduate Students

Graduate students at Columbia University have access to various Columbia University scholarships that help offset tuition costs and support academic superiority. While most financial aid for graduate programs is awarded through assistantships, fellowships, and external funding sources, Columbia University graduate scholarships provide essential support to students in need. These funding opportunities range from school-specific aid to external scholarships. Whether you are pursuing a master's or Ph.D., there are scholarships at Columbia University designed to help students manage their expenses. Below is a list of some notable scholarships Columbia University offers for graduate students.

Graduate Scholarship Opportunities at Columbia University

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Scholarship Name	Grant Amount	Eligibility	Scholarship Type
Columbia Graduate School Fellowships	Up to full tuition + stipend	Awarded to outstanding graduate students across various disciplines.	Merit-based
Teaching Assistantships (TA)	Tuition coverage + stipend	Available for graduate students in exchange for teaching duties.	Need-based (Work-study)
Research Assistantships (RA)	Tuition coverage + stipend	Open to graduate students involved in university research projects.	Need-based (Research work)
School-Specific Scholarships	Varies by school	Offered by Columbia Business School, Law School, SIPA, and other graduate schools.	School-specific
Columbia University Graduate Merit Scholarships	$5,000–$30,000/year	Awarded to top-performing students in master's and Ph.D. programs.	Merit-based
Yellow Ribbon Program	Covers tuition and fees	For veterans and eligible dependents receiving Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits.	Veteran benefit
Knight-Bagehot Fellowship (Journalism)	Full tuition + stipend	For mid-career journalists pursuing graduate studies at Columbia Journalism School.	Merit-based
Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans	Up to $90,000 total	For immigrants or children of immigrants in graduate programs at Columbia.	Merit-based
Columbia Law School Human Rights Fellowship	Tuition + living expenses	For students pursuing law with a focus on human rights.	Need-based
Columbia Business School Loan Assistance Program	Partial loan forgiveness	For graduates working in public service or non-profit sectors.	Loan forgiveness
Social Work Fellowship Programs	Up to full tuition	For students pursuing an MSW at Columbia School of Social Work.	Need-based
Engineering & Applied Science Fellowships	Full tuition + stipend	For outstanding students in STEM graduate programs.	Merit-based
Fulbright Program	Tuition + stipend	International students pursuing graduate studies at Columbia.	International student
Columbia SIPA Fellowships	$5,000–$20,000/year	For students in the School of International and Public Affairs.	Merit-based

To apply for Columbia University graduate scholarships, students must check specific department requirements and funding opportunities. Many scholarships Columbia University offers require separate applications, while others are awarded automatically upon admission. Prospective students should also explore external scholarships at Columbia University to maximize financial aid options.

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3. Columbia University Scholarships for International Students

Columbia University offers need-based financial aid for international undergraduate students and various funding options for graduate students through fellowships, assistantships, and external scholarships. While Columbia University scholarships for international students are limited, many external organizations provide generous funding. Below is a list of key scholarships at Columbia University and external opportunities for international students.

Scholarships for International Students at Columbia University

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Scholarship Name	Grant Amount	Eligibility	Scholarship Type
Columbia University Need-Based Financial Aid	Up to full tuition	Available for international undergraduate students demonstrating financial need.	Need-based
Columbia University Scholarship for Displaced Students	Full tuition + living stipend	For refugees and asylum seekers pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees.	Need-based
International House Scholarships	$500–$5,000/year	For international students living at Columbia’s International House.	Need-based
Fulbright Program	Tuition + stipend	Open to international students pursuing graduate studies in the U.S.	International student (Need & Merit)
Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship	Full tuition + travel expenses	For students from developing countries pursuing master's programs.	International student
PEO International Peace Scholarship	Up to $12,500/year	For female international students enrolled in graduate programs.	Need-based (Female)
Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship	Varies (covers tuition + expenses)	For Indian students pursuing graduate studies at Columbia.	Need-based (Indian students)
Chevening Scholarships	Full tuition + living expenses	For students from Chevening-eligible countries pursuing a master's degree.	Need-based
Columbia SIPA Fellowships for International Students	$5,000–$20,000/year	For non-U.S. students studying at the School of International and Public Affairs.	Merit-based
Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program	Full tuition + stipend	For international graduate students demonstrating leadership and academic excellence.	Merit-based
Columbia Engineering International Graduate Fellowship	Full tuition + stipend	For outstanding international students pursuing STEM fields.	Merit-based
American Association of University Women (AAUW) International Fellowship	$18,000–$30,000/year	For female international students in master's and Ph.D. programs.	Need-based (Female)

To apply for Columbia University scholarships, students must submit the CSS Profile and explore external funding sources. Early applications improve the chances of securing financial aid. If you're looking for more funding opportunities, check out top scholarships in the USA to maximize your financial aid options.

4. External Scholarships for Columbia University Students

In addition to Columbia University scholarships, students can apply for various external funding opportunities to support their education. These scholarships are offered by third-party organizations and can supplement Columbia University financial aid packages. Many of these are available for graduate students and international students through fellowship programs. Below is a list of key Columbia University international scholarships and external funding options.

External Scholarships for Columbia Students

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Scholarship Name	Grant Amount	Eligibility
Fulbright Scholarship (International)	Tuition + stipend	For international students pursuing graduate studies in the U.S.
Knight-Hennessy Scholars (Graduate)	Full tuition + stipend	For graduate students demonstrating leadership and academic excellence.
Joint Japan/World Bank Scholarship (Graduate)	Full tuition + travel expenses	For students from developing countries pursuing a master’s program.
PEO International Peace Scholarship	Up to $12,500/year	For female international students enrolled in graduate programs.
DAAD Scholarship (German students)	Full tuition + living stipend	For German students pursuing higher education abroad.

AmberScholar Scholarship: Your Path to Extra Funding!

AmberScholar offers up to $12,000 for undergraduate and graduate students worldwide. The application process is simple and includes an essay submission. This scholarship can be combined with Columbia University financial aid for additional support. Students seeking additional funding should research eligibility criteria and apply early, as these Columbia University international scholarships have competitive selection processes.

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Steps to Apply for Scholarships for International and Domestic Students

Securing Columbia University scholarships requires completing financial aid forms, meeting academic criteria, and submitting required documents on time. Follow these steps to apply for Columbia University financial aid effectively.

Step 1: Submit Financial Aid Forms

U.S. students: Submit FAFSA and CSS Profile via the College Board.
International students: Submit the CSS Profile and any additional financial documents requested by Columbia.

Step 2: Check Scholarship Requirements

Academic Criteria: Minimum GPA of 3.0+, standardized test scores (SAT: 1450+, ACT: 32+, GRE: 320+, GMAT: 700+, varies by program).
Financial Need Assessment: Based on family income and supporting documents.
Additional Materials: Some Columbia scholarships require essays and letters of recommendation,

Step 3: Submit Additional Documents (If Required)

Tax returns, income proof, personal statements, or any scholarship-specific requirements.

Step 4: Meet Deadlines

Deadlines for Scholarship

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Application Type	Deadline
Early Decision	November 15
Regular Decision	January 1
Transfer Applicants	March 15
Graduate Programs	Varies by department (Check program-specific deadlines)

Step 5: Monitor Application Status

Track applications via Columbia’s Student Financial Services Portal for updates and document verification. Applying early and meeting all eligibility criteria increases your chances of receiving scholarships Columbia University offers.

Tips to Increase Your Chances of Getting a Columbia University Scholarship

Securing Columbia University scholarships is highly competitive, but a strategic approach can set you apart. Here’s how you can improve your chances:

1. Highlight Unique Achievements: Showcase academic excellence, leadership roles, and impactful extracurricular activities.
2. Craft a Strong Personal Statement: Clearly communicate your financial need, career goals, and how Columbia fits into your academic journey.
3. Secure Strong Recommendations: Choose recommenders who can provide detailed insights into your skills and potential.
4. Apply for Multiple Scholarships: Don’t just rely on scholarships Columbia University offers, explore external funding opportunities to increase your chances.
5. Stay Organized: Track deadlines, required documents, and submission statuses to ensure a seamless application process. A well-prepared application increases your likelihood of receiving Columbia University scholarships, easing the financial burden of your education.

Columbia University’s world-class education comes with high tuition costs, but Columbia University scholarships provide significant financial relief. With numerous need-based grants, graduate fellowships, and external funding opportunities, students can find multiple ways to ease their financial burden. Whether you're an undergraduate, graduate, or international student, applying early, meeting eligibility criteria, and exploring external scholarships can improve your chances of securing aid. Take advantage of these opportunities to make your Columbia journey more affordable and stress-free.

Off-Campus Housing Near Columbia University

Finding off-campus housing is essential for a comfortable Columbia University experience. Here are some great options curated by amber near campus:
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