International Financial Aid

A Columbia education is possible for students from all socioeconomic backgrounds, including international students. Columbia is committed to meeting 100% of the demonstrated need of all admitted first-year students, regardless of citizenship. International students apply for and receive a substantial amount of financial aid every year, with international financial aid totaling $19 million for the 2023-2024 academic year.

International Admissions and Financial Aid

The Columbia admissions process is largely the same for all students, regardless of citizenship and residency, but international students are evaluated in a need-aware manner. For financial aid purposes, students who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States, do not have refugee visas or asylum status, and are not undocumented are considered international. This means that the admissions committee considers how much financial aid a student requires when evaluating an application. All financial aid at Columbia is need-based, and there are no merit scholarships awarded for academics, athletics or other talents.

$228 million

in grants and scholarships

$19 million

awarded in international financial aid

$76,265

average first-year grants and scholarships

3rd largest

international student population of any US university

Need-Based Financial Aid

For admitted international students, Columbia will meet 100% of a family's demonstrated need, based on the information provided in the financial aid application. The average award for international financial aid recipients is $79,375, usually encompassing a Columbia grant, which does not have to be repaid, and a student work-study job. Columbia does not include loans in financial aid packages, and as international students are not eligible for federal student aid, Columbia will meet all international financial aid with institutional resources.

International applicants must indicate their plan to apply for financial aid when submitting their admission application. If admitted without requesting financial aid, international students may not change their status to apply for aid, even if their financial circumstances change. International financial aid cannot be awarded in subsequent years if not awarded at the time of admission.

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.

Can international families apply for financial aid in future years if they do not apply the first year?

International students who are admitted with no request for Columbia financial aid may not change their status to apply for aid at any time during their four years at Columbia. An international student whose family experiences a severe and unforeseen change in circumstances may apply for financial aid at any time, and such requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. If you are an international student who is admitted without institutional financial aid, Columbia cannot guarantee institutional financial aid even if there is a change in your family’s circumstances.

As an undocumented student, am I eligible for financial aid?

Yes. Columbia is committed to meeting 100% of the demonstrated financial need of all students admitted as first-year, transfer or Combined Plan students, regardless of citizenship status. Any admitted student who is not eligible to receive federal and state financial aid, such as undocumented and international students, will have their need entirely covered by Columbia institutional funding. For admissions purposes, undocumented students are evaluated in our general need-blind manner, which means we evaluate admissions applications without regard to financial need.

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International Financial Aid Resources

Many Columbia students, including international students, receive financial awards from outside organizations, including merit-based scholarships and tuition benefits through employers, government agencies and other sources. Common search engines for international scholarships include International Education Financial Aid and EduPass.

Columbia's Financial Aid and Educational Financing is ready to assist families through the financial aid process, which looks different for everyone. Please visit the Financial Aid website for further information and resources. The Financial Aid staff is also available at +1-212-854-3711 and ugrad-finaid@columbia.edu for questions not answered by the website.

For more specific guidance and broader information about studying in the United States, please contact your local EducationUSA office, supported by the US Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.