An $85 nonrefundable fee is required as part of an application to Columbia. However, we know that applying to college can be expensive, which is why we offer fee waivers to ensure the application process is accessible for all students. We encourage all students to check whether they are eligible for a fee waiver before applying, particularly if the application fee may be a barrier to them. Requesting a fee waiver will not disadvantage your application in any way.
Paying the Application Fee
Applicants must submit payment online using an electronic check or Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express credit card. We do not accept cash or paper checks, and all application fees must be submitted online.
Payment (or fee waiver) is due at the time that you submit your application. We are unable to refund the application fee under any circumstances once an application is submitted.
Fee Waivers
We accept both the Common App and Coalition Application on Scoir fee waivers, and there is never a fee to apply through QuestBridge. Additionally, we offer a Columbia-specific fee waiver for the following students who plan to apply for financial aid:
- Students for whom the application fee presents a hardship, and those with other indicators of financial need (see full list below)
- Students who are a part of the first generation in their family to attend college
- Students who attend a New York City public school
- Students who are enrolled in a US federally or state-recognized tribe
- Students who are undocumented
- Students who work with a community-based organization that supports with college preparation, such as Upward Bound, TRIO, A Better Chance, AVID, Jack Kent Cooke, Matriculate and others
- Students who are veterans of the US Armed Forces or are currently on active duty in the US military
- Students who live in FEMA Declared Disaster Areas or international regions impacted by natural disaster
If you would like to confirm your eligibility for a Columbia-specific fee waiver before applying, or if you would like to receive an email receipt of your request, you may also use the form on this page to check your eligibility.
How to Use a Columbia-Specific Fee Waiver
If you qualify for a fee waiver from Columbia, simply follow the steps below depending on your application type. Your fee waiver will be applied automatically—no additional documentation or verification will be required.
- Common App
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- Use the College Search feature on Common App to add Columbia to the My Colleges tab
- In Columbia's Questions section in the My Colleges tab, there will be a question that asks "Do you qualify for one of these fee waivers?"
- Select "I qualify for a Columbia-specific fee waiver"
- Once your application to Columbia is ready, use the Review and Submit page to complete and submit your application
- You will see a note that you are requesting a fee waiver and skip the Payment step
- Coalition Application on Scoir
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- Use the Discover tab on Scoir to add Columbia to the Your Applications page
- Open your Columbia application and submit your Coalition Application
- Use the Next Steps page to complete the Columbia Supplement to the Coalition Application.
- In the More Information section, there will be a question that asks "Do you qualify for one of these fee waivers?"
- Select "Yes"
- If you do not see this question, your fee was already waived based on the criteria used for a Coalition Application fee waiver
- Once your Columbia Supplement is ready to submit, you will see a note confirming that you qualify for a fee waiver
- QuestBridge
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QuestBridge Finalists who apply to Columbia with their QuestBridge application, either as part of the National College Match or in Regular Decision, are never charged an application fee.
- Combined Plan Application
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- Begin a Combined Plan Application
- In the Personal Background section, there will be a question that asks "Do you meet any of the below criteria to qualify for a Columbia-specific fee waiver?"
- Select "Yes"
- Once your Combined Plan Application is ready to submit, you will see a note confirming that you qualify for a fee waiver
Please make sure to note your fee waiver before submitting your application—we are unable to refund any fees once your application is submitted.
Additional Indicators of Financial Need for a Columbia-Specific Fee Waiver
Columbia will automatically waive the application fee for any student who feels it presents a hardship. We will also waive the application fee for students who show other indicators of financial need, such as:
- Annual family income below $66,000
- Eligibility for a Pell Grant
- Receiving an ACT or SAT testing fee waiver
- Enrollment in federal Free and Reduced Price School Meals
- Receiving public assistance, like housing, food or childcare subsidies
- Annual family income at or below the USDA Income Eligibility Guidelines
- Living in federally subsidized public housing, a shelter or a foster home, or experiencing homelessness
- Being a ward of the state or an orphan
- Having school fees covered by a need-based scholarship
