The Graduate School has received a limited allocation of funding through the CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund to use for one-time emergency grants to students.  All recipients of this award must be registered in the spring 2021 semester, be eligible for federal financial aid, and have a 2020-21 FAFSA on file with the Office of Financial Aid to apply for CARES Act funds.  Federal financial aid eligibility is limited to US citizens, permanent residents, and certain non-citizen categories. More information about the CARES ACT can be found here.

Given the limited amount of funds available, GSAS has prioritized those students who have borrowed through the federal Title IV loan programs this academic year. Students may apply for up to $1,500 in relief aid.  GSAS students may receive up to $2,000 each from the HEERF CARES Act funding without submitting a supplemental application. Please note that an application does not guarantee receipt of an award. 

Students with questions or concerns regarding these funds should contact gsas-cares [at] columbia.edu.

The Office of Financial Aid implements school policies relating to graduate financial aid. The staff supplies students with information on funding from Columbia or outside sources, calculating financial need, and the allocation of available funds for both incoming and continuing students. Staff members help students and departments understand the financial aid programs.

This office is also responsible for the administration of many external awards made by outside agencies as well as for the processing of all federal loan and Work-Study applications.

Please find a list of financial aid resources below.