Applying for financial aid doesn’t involve too many steps.
Some of you may want to consider financing part of your costs through student loans or work study. If so, you will need to complete the 2013/14 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 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 March 1 for a timely review. Also be aware that this is an annual form, and you will need to complete the 2014/15 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 or assistantships and do not wish to borrow loans, you do not need to complete the FAFSA.
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 only used to determine eligibility for student loans and Work Study available to US citizens, permanent residents and political refugees.
