Archive for Paying for SIPA – Page 14

Yellow Ribbon Program

Posted by Columbia SIPA 
· Wednesday, May 28th, 2014 

The Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs is pleased to announce the application for the Yellow Ribbon Program Scholarship, available to eligible veterans of the US Armed Forces, for the 2014/15 academic year.

The Yellow Ribbon Program is an initiative authorized by the Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 (the Post-9/11 GI Bill) in which educational institutions provide eligible student veterans with a partial tuition waiver or grant matched by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. This program supplements the base educational benefits provided by the Post-9/11 GI Bill. To be eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program, you must be a US veteran eligible for the maximum level (100%) of benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill according to your VA Certificate of Eligibility. If you are a veteran of the US Armed Forces and would like to learn more about eligibility for these benefits, please visit the GI Bill website at www.gibill.va.gov/.

SIPA is committed to honoring those who have served our country by being one of seventeen individual schools at Columbia University participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program.   An application is required and will be available on our website by Monday June 9, 2014 at noon, Eastern Daylight Time. The application will be a Google document that is to be submitted online; no other documentation is required. Those who received a Yellow Ribbon scholarship at SIPA in the 2013/14 academic year and will be enrolled at SIPA for 2014/15 [and have maintained their eligibility] need not reapply, the award will be renewed in an amount based on available funding.

SIPA cannot guarantee funding for every eligible candidate, and funding will be on a first come, first served basis, so please make sure that you complete the application no later than June 27, 2014.

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Did you know?

Posted by Columbia SIPA 
· Wednesday, May 14th, 2014 

When the US Congress passed The Bipartisan Student Loan Certainty Act of 2013, it created a student loan interest rate tied to the 10-year Treasury note, to be adjusted annually. As you are aware, interest rates have been rising, and the US Department of Education recently announced that rates for academic periods beginning on or after July 1, 2014 will be as follows:

Direct Unsubsidized Student Loans: 6.21%

Graduate PLUS Loans: 7.21%

These rates represent a 0.8% increase over the rates available between July 1, 2013 and June 30, 2014. If you intend to borrow and are enrolled in a program that includes a summer term, such as the PESP or PEPM programs, or continuing students in the EMPA program, the lower rates still apply so long as you complete all necessary application materials before July 1.

These rates are fixed for the life of the loan, although we are encouraged by recent proposals in the Senate to allow for refinancing of student loans at lower interest rates. Also remember that the government deducts fees from these loans at the time of disbursement; rates set during Sequestration are now at 1.073% for the Unsubsidized Loan and 4.292% for the PLUS loan.

If you have any questions about student loans, please contact the SIPA Financial Aid Office at [email protected]  or 212-854-6216. We hope you have an enjoyable and productive summer.

 

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a little bit of money can go a long way

Posted by Columbia SIPA 
· Friday, May 2nd, 2014 

Students sometimes come to us asking for money to make up the difference between tuition and their savings.  Sometimes it’s as low as a few hundred dollars so wouldn’t it be nice to know you have a scholarship to fill the gap?

The American Foundation of Savoy Orders has called for applications for the 2014-2015 Savoy Orders Pigott Scholarships.  The scholarships are available for North American residents.  Three $2500 scholarships to full time undergraduate or graduate students majoring in the Humanities and Fine Arts or International Studies will be offered based on scholastic achievement and financial need.

For students applying for the International Studies Scholarship, please note that students will be expected to periodically attend Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) briefings at sessions relating to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations with which the Savoy Foundation is registered as a NGO. Scholarship recipients will be required to write brief summaries of each meeting they attend. A Foundation representative will supervise and guide the student’s activities at the United Nations.  Enrollment in a college or university within reasonable proximity of the United Nations is required.

Please click here for the scholarship guidelines and the application.  Application along with required materials must be completed and received on or before May 15, 2014 in order to be considered.  Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The American Foundation of Savoy Orders, Incorporated will notify 2014-2015 Savoy Orders Pigott Scholarship recipients by July 30, 2014.

Please direct all questions regarding the application process or candidate eligibility to:  [email protected] or by calling 212.922.1100, ext. 245.

 

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A few words about Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Posted by Columbia SIPA 
· Monday, April 14th, 2014 

If you are considering student loans to help finance your studies at SIPA and may later pursue a career in the public or non-profit sectors, the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program could mean considerable savings on loan repayment in the future.

Borrowers who pursue full-time careers in the non-profit or public service sectors can have their outstanding student loan balance forgiven after 120 months of repayment (payments need not be consecutive).  This program applies to and Federal Direct Loans (also known as Stafford Loans) or Graduate PLUS loans you may borrow at SIPA.

For more information, contact the Financial Aid Office or visit any of these websites:

Non-profit or public sector employment may include:

  • A Federal, State, local, or Tribal government organization, agency, or entity;
  • A public child or family service agency;
  • Volunteering full-time in the Peace Corps or AmeriCorps;
  • A tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization;
  • A Tribal college or university; or
  • A private non-profit organization that provides any of the following public services:
  • Emergency management
  • Military service
  • Public safety or law enforcement
  • Public interest law services
  • Early childhood education
  • Public service for individuals with disabilities and the elderly
  • Public health
  • Public education or other school-based services
  • Public or school library services

As many SIPA alumni pursue such careers, they may qualify for loan forgiveness.  Please contact us at [email protected] if you have any questions.

 

Categories : Application Tips, Paying for SIPA
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It’s FAFSA Time!

Posted by Columbia SIPA 
· Wednesday, February 26th, 2014 
· No Comments

Admitting the best applicants and getting them here is always on our mind.

Students admitted to SIPA are considered for scholarships (presuming you had submitted your application by the fellowship deadline), but if you need additional assistance from student loans or Work Study, you will need to complete the 2014/15 Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly known as the FAFSA.  To do so, go to www.fafsa.gov.   The information collected on the FAFSA will be used by the SIPA Financial Aid Office to determine your eligibility for student loans available from the federal government and possible work study jobs.

If you completed the FAFSA as an undergraduate, you’ll be familiar with the process, although as a graduate student, no parental information is necessary.   If you have a PIN number that you used as an undergraduate, use the same one.  If you have never completed a FAFSA before, you will need a PIN in order to complete the FAFSA; you must go to www.pin.ed.gov, which is linked from www.fafsa.gov.

When you complete the FAFSA, designate Columbia University as the recipient with our school code number, 002707, in Step 6 of the FAFSA.

Do not wait until you have received an admission decision to complete your FAFSA.  While there is no absolute deadline approaching, you should complete the FAFSA as soon as possible; we recommend that you do so by about March 1 for a timely review.  Also be aware that this is an annual form, and you will need to complete the 2015/16 FAFSA for your second year should you wish to borrow or be considered for a work study position.  If you are only interested in SIPA scholarships and do not wish to borrow loans, you need not complete the FAFSA.  You can, however, submit a FAFSA later if you decide that you do want to explore student loan or Work Study options.

The FAFSA is a lengthy form that collects a lot of information.  If you are completing the FAFSA for the first time, it can be confusing.  If you have any questions or need any assistance, contact us at 212-854-6216 or email us at [email protected].

 

Note: Do not complete a FAFSA if you are an international student.  It is used to determine eligibility for aid available only to US citizens and permanent residents.

 

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"The most global public policy school, where an international community of students and faculty address world challenges."

—Merit E. Janow, Dean, SIPA, Professor of Practice, International and Economic Law and International Affairs

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