Parents & Guardians

Helping your child navigate high school plus the college search and application process can be a profound responsibility. As a parent or guardian, you have the power to encourage your student to seek opportunities that align with their interests in meaningful ways, including classes, extracurriculars and personal pursuits. Each step paves the way for the next, and we’ve found that the journey to finding the right community for your student begins with a supportive nudge from their parents and guardians, counselors and admissions staff.

Three students sitting on the Low Steps

Getting in touch with Columbia

Affordability and financial aid

Don't let the sticker price deter you from considering Columbia. About half of our students receive financial aid and 80% of Columbian’s graduate debt free.

  • We are committed to making Columbia's opportunities accessible for all our students. In fact, we offer some of the most generous financial aid of any college in the United States, and students are often surprised by how much they receive.
  • Estimate the cost of Columbia for your family in just 3 minutes with our MyinTuition Quick College Cost Estimator.
  • Check out our simple instructions on how your child can use the Columbia-specific fee waiver on their Common Application or Coalition application.

About Columbia

When students arrive, they aren't just in for another college experience—they're in for a centuries-old, world-class education in the greatest city in the world. Located in New York City, Columbia University has been a place of deep intellectual curiosity, all while rooted in tradition, community and innovation, since 1754. Nowhere but here do students have access to the unparalleled cultural, professional and recreational resources of an Ivy League university and New York City.

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100+

areas of study

500+

student clubs, organizations and teams

4 years

guaranteed campus housing

125,000+

jobs and internships posted annually on the LionShare job portal

31

Division I NCAA teams

$240 million

in grants and scholarships

20%

of first-year students are the first generation in their families to go to college

51%

of first-year students receive financial aid

Supporting your student through the admissions process

Take a deep breath. Now let it out. The college search process is a long yet rewarding journey. We're here to guide your experience in discovering Columbia.

Next Steps