Funding your Education
Funding your education at SIPA
The SIPA Financial Aid Office is dedicated to helping its students explore all available means to finance their education. We provide access to federal, institutional, and private funding. Our financial aid staff is dedicated to working with you to assist throughout the application process and help you reach your goals. Students are encouraged to create a financing plan by the time the enrollment decision is made, and that plan should cover the duration of the academic program. Students’ plans typically include a combination of their own and/or family resources, student loans, and whatever funding they may qualify for from SIPA or external agencies. Financial aid is not available for expenses incurred during summers in which a student is not enrolled in classes.
Important FAFSA News
You may be aware that Congress recently made significant changes to the formula determining eligibility for federal financial aid. As a result, the US Department of Education had to revamp the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2024/25 academic year.
Important FAFSA News
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Unfortunately, the introduction of the new FAFSA hasn't been seamless and has posed challenges for some students. Below are our recommendations:
Prospective SIPA Students
– If you haven’t already, submit your 24-25 FAFSA as soon as possible.
– Our staff will be working hard to ensure that we provide you with information as quickly as possible.Current SIPA Students
– The FAFSA is not required for scholarship renewals or assistantship applications, only student loans and Work Study
– Your federal aid eligibility will be reviewed in June.
– Please aim to complete your FAFSA by early to mid-May.International students should not submit a FAFSA.
SIPA and Columbia University Funding
Learn about the types of financial aid in the form of scholarships, fellowships and assistantships available to SIPA students, both from SIPA directly and other funds made available University-wide.
Financial Aid Timeline
September
Admissions application opens (indicate financial aid request on application)
October
FAFSA is available for completion (U.S. citizens and permanent residents)
December
Financial aid application deadline (part of the admissions application)
Mid-March
Admission and financial aid decisions released via slate student portal
April to early May
Student admission and financial aid offer responses due
Financial Aid Resources
Contact Us
Financial Aid Office
Columbia University
School of International and Public Affairs
514 West 113th Street
New York, NY 10025
+1 212-854-6216
[email protected]
David Sheridan, Director of Financial Aid
Lakhbir Singh, Associate Director of Financial Aid
Quintin Sipp, Assistant Director of Financial Aid
NOTE: As a matter of your convenience, privacy and safety, we created online office hours, and ask students to make this the primary means of meeting with Financial Aid staff. Any student wishing to come to our office in person will be asked to make an appointment and must follow all Columbia University and/or NYC health protocols in place.