SIPA: School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Am I eligible to apply for Federal Student Financial Aid (Title IV)?
You may apply for Federal financial aid if you are a United States citizen or a permanent resident (green-card holder). Please keep in mind that this form of financial aid may qualify you for loans guaranteed by the government that must be paid back (plus interest and origination fees).
- When should I complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?
If you are applying for the fall semester, you should submit before April 15. If you are applying for the spring semester, you should submit before September 15.
- Should I complete the paper FAFSA or do it electronically on the Web?
It is highly recommended that you apply online. When applying online at www.fafsa.ed.gov, please be sure to use Columbia University institution code 002707. Upon so doing, it should take 2-3 weeks for Columbia to receive your records. If you apply with the paper version, it can take as long as 8 weeks.
- How do I sign my FAFSA?
You can sign your FAFSA a number of ways. If you are using the paper application, your signature is needed on the back of the form. If you are applying via the Web, you may either printout the signature page, sign it, and mail it to the Department of Education, or you can use the PIN number assigned to you by the DOE as an electronic signature.
- What is the SAR?
The SAR is also known as the Student Aid Report. You should receive this form approximately two weeks after you completed the FAFSA, longer if you submitted the paper version. Please review your SAR. It will reiterate all the information that you placed on your FAFSA. If you notice any discrepancies, please make the corrections. If the SAR states that you were selected for a process known as 'verification', you need to submit your tax returns and W-2's for the prior year, as well as a verification worksheet (this worksheet can be downloaded off of the internet at www.sipa.columbia.edu/admissions or you can pickup a copy at the SIPA Office of Admissions).
- Should I keep my SAR?
Please keep your SAR. You will need your SAR when you apply for Institutional Aid at SIPA the following year as a Continuing Student.
- What is the SIPA school code?
SIPA actually utilizes the Columbia University institution code 002707.
- What is the maximum I can receive in financial aid?
The maximum amount of aid a student is eligible to receive in a given year is the Cost of Attendance for their Program. Loan aid can be taken up to the Cost of Attendance less any other awards received by a student and is usually split evenly into disbursements across a students Periods of Enrollment (more commonly known as semesters). Some types of aid may have an academic year maximum or cap attached to them depending upon your type of program. For example, a SIPA student may be eligible for $20,500 worth of Federal Direct Stafford Loan aid in a given academic year, comprised of two disbursements of $10,250. It is highly advised that you read as much information as you can about the types of awards you qualify for to understand your eligibility.
- I submitted my FAFSA, what do I do now?
At this point you need to wait to see if you were selected for verification. This will be noted on your SAR. Also, with some students, they are selected for a variety of verifications, such as, request for a birth certificate or social security confirmation. You will know if these items need to be submitted to the financial aid office if your SAR states that you need to contact your financial aid officer. At that time, please notify the financial aid office or review your NetPartner 'Documents' and 'Messages' tabs to determine if any action is required by you.
- How do I proceed if I am admitted to SIPA?
If you have received an acceptance letter, the next step will be for you to complete the Financial Aid Questionnaire and upon our issuance of a Financial Aid Notification email/letter, use the 'Awards' and 'Accept Awards' tabs in NetPartner to accept or modify the financial aid offer. There will be a series of emails advising you of the necessary steps required to provide our Office with information to provide you with an appropriate aid package and information. You can expect all of these communications within 2-3 weeks after the admissions decisions are made. You may either accept the award by completing the Master Loan Request Form or you may decline it.
- What is NetPartner?
Students admitted to SIPA are sent Financial Aid Notification information via a secure online site called NetPartner. From this site, Students are able to review their, budget, submit the Financial Aid Questionnaire, modify/accept their awards and view important messages associated with those awards and outstanding or submitted documents.
- What is Un-Met Financial Need? How do I make up the difference between listed awards and the Cost of Attendance?
For information on how to make up the difference that may not be covered in your initial aid package or to see all the funds that might be available to you, please visit the following links: Un-Met Need and Graduate Financial Aid.
- If my loans are more than my tuition, how do I get the balance?
If the amount of funding you receive (scholarships, loans, grants, etc.) exceeds your account balance (tuition plus fees), you can request a refund in one of two different ways. One way is via the Web through Student Services Online (SSOL)—Within the account balance and refunds section; and follow the directions from there. You may also request your refund in person at Kent Hall, Student Financial Services Office Help Desk. Please note that it can take 7-10 business days to process the refund, which will be mailed directly to the local address you have given the Registrar's Office.
Be sure to update your local address before requesting a refund if it has changed.
