The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences offers a comprehensive program of student financial aid. We recognize that doctoral programs represent a long-term investment of time, intellectual energy, and financial resources which students must anticipate as they consider graduate study. We are committed to assisting students and their families in securing financial support from a variety of sources, including institutional and non-institutional fellowships, teaching and research assistantships, federal and alternative loan programs, and employment. Fellowships are awarded in recognition of academic achievement and in expectation of scholarly success. Many fellowships provide payment of tuition as well as a generous stipend and may be renewed for up to five years.
Some awards also carry summer support.
In addition, many students obtain valuable experience and finance their studies partly or fully by participating in the research and teaching programs of their departments. Recipients of assistantships are required to complete additional financial aid materials. Students not awarded fellowships on entrance may apply for fellowship support in succeeding years. Typical sources of Columbia's financial aid funds include general University funds, endowed fellowships, annual gifts and grants from government agencies, business corporations, clubs, labor unions, and alumni groups. Every applicant who files a financial aid form by the deadline is considered for any Columbia-administered award for which the individual may be eligible, including federal programs, such as Title IV of the Higher Education Act and Public Health Service Traineeships.