First-generation and low-income students at Columbia participate in a campus community invested in their success. Numerous resources strengthen and support our young leaders academically, socially and professionally in their transition to college and beyond. The voices and varied perspectives students bring with them make first-generation and low-income students integral part of our student body.
fact:
20%
of first-year students are the first generation in their families to go to college
fact:
$2,000
Start-up grant to ease the transition to college for first-year students from low-income families
fact:
$0
expected parent contribution for students coming from families with annual incomes of less than $66,000 (and typical assets)
fact:
$1 million+
in funding to support students pursuing low- and unpaid internships
Meet our students
student:
Resources at Columbia: "Being a FLI, student of color from California, Columbia was definitely a different community from home. The FLI @ Columbia and Multicultural Affairs programming have been very helpful with allowing me to explore NYC at no-cost. Also, the weather change was also a struggle, but the FLI Coat Drive is such a good resource!"
Luisa
A.
Chino Hills, CA
Biomedical Engineering
student:
Resources at Columbia: "I had great advisors all throughout my time here at Columbia, starting early on with my academic advisor that has supported me since the summer before my freshman year. She has been able to guide me in everything academic and college wise all the way to career and post-graduate advice. Classes in of themselves also offer a variety of support systems, such as professor and TA office hours."
Angel
L.
New York, NY
Neuroscience and Behavior
student:
Transition to campus: "This past summer I worked as a crew captain for the New Student Orientation program where I got to take a leadership role in coordinating the welcome events for the incoming class! I loved being able to show my Columbia pride and pass down some of the wisdom I gained from my experience as a first-year. As a FLI and rural student, I had so many wonderful mentors who helped me navigate the transition to Columbia and NYC. Because of this, I want to give back to the Columbia community and reinvest what I’ve learned in the incoming classes."
Skylar
Y.
Rockport, IN
Political Science, Special Concentration in Business Administration
student:
Why Columbia? "One of the biggest reasons why I chose to come to Columbia was because of how many resources are available. As a student who is first-gen, low income and coming from a single parent household, financial aid and the diversity of the student population was really important to me."
Emily
M.
Los Angeles, CA
Mechanical Engineering, Minor in Earth and Environmental Engineering
student:
Affordability: "If I found a $20 bill at the bottom of my bag, I would head downtown for a Chinatown
food crawl! A subway roundtrip would cost me $5.80, and I would use the remaining money for cheap dumplings, noodles, and soup! I would then people-watch on a nearby park bench or stroll through a nearby park. $20 can go far in NYC if you know where to look!"
Arpita
S.
Queens, NY
Civil Engineering, Minor in Sustainable Engineering
- First-in-Family Programs
-
Based on the philosophy that first-generation students "don't know what they don't know," the programs offer academic support, professional development and cultural enrichment opportunities.
- FLI @ Columbia
-
Housed within Multicultural Affairs, FLI @ Columbia offers support to students beginning with the New Student Orientation Program. It connects students to resources, hosts programming and facilitates student advocacy.
- FLI Resource Guide
-
A guide to Columbia's campus resources written by students on Columbia's First-Generation and/or Low-Income Student Advisory Board.
- Backstage Pass for FLI Students
-
The Center for Career Education offers FLI students early access to college fairs, along with the opportunity to speak to employers in small groups with added tips and guidance.
FAQs
How can I take advantage of everything I want to do in New York City on a student budget?
New York City has something for everyone, which is why it is so often rated as one of the best college towns in the nation. It is full of hidden treasures that offer an inexpensive, yet unique array of food, shopping and entertainment. Some of the most creative culinary experiences are intimate restaurants within a few blocks from campus. Websites such as NYC Visit's Go Local operate as a service for New Yorkers to get the most out of their city.
There are also a variety of email lists that help students gain free access to opportunities such as going to a major motion picture premiere. There are yearly bargains such as New York Restaurant Week, which gives students a budget-friendly taste of some of the finest establishments in the city. Columbia helps students explore the opportunities in New York by providing discounted and free tickets to many events around the city through the Columbia Arts Initiative.
Does Columbia provide support for students who have unpaid internships?
Columbia strongly believes that students should be able to follow their passions and experience jobs and opportunities that will lead them toward their professional goals. Columbia supports students with unpaid internships in two distinct ways.
First, the Work Exemption Program (WEP) is part of the financial aid program for undergraduate students in Columbia College and Columbia Engineering. The program is designed to enable financial aid recipients to take advantage of such unpaid opportunities as internships, research projects and community outreach. Students have the option of applying for exemption from the summer savings portion of their financial aid package or exemptions from Federal Work Study during the academic year.
Second, all students at Columbia are encouraged to apply for the Summer Funding Program administered by the Center for Career Education. The Center of Career Education also offers an array of alternative funding sources for students that may help fund a summer internship or opportunity.
How do I apply for financial aid?
The financial aid application process collects information about your family's income, assets, family composition and other circumstances. All requirements and submission instructions are detailed on the Financial Aid & Educational Financing website. Learn more about affordability and aid at Columbia.
Will my chances for admission be affected if I apply for financial aid?
All applicants who are citizens or permanent residents of the United States, as well as students granted refugee visas by the United States, DACA recipients and undocumented students, are read in a need-blind manner, no matter where they attend school or where they reside. The term “need-blind” means financial need has no bearing on the admissions decision.
All other applicants are evaluated in a need-aware manner, which means that the admissions committee takes into consideration how much financial aid a student requires when rendering an admissions decision.
Columbia is committed to meeting the full need of all applicants admitted as first-year, transfer and Combined Plan students, regardless of citizenship. Columbia admits a large number of international students who receive a substantial amount of financial aid.