SIPA: School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University

Financial Aid for International Students

SIPA Fellowships

All applicants are considered for SIPA fellowships, regardless of citizenship. Detailed information concerning SIPA fellowships can be found on the How to Apply page. 

If you are not told on your admission letter that you have received grants, scholarships, etc., then you were considered, but not selected to receive these awards. It is encouraging to note that while only 10% of first-year students receive financial help from SIPA, more than half of the second-year students receive financial assistance, averaging $18,000 per award.

Although SIPA does offer fellowship funding each year, the cost of attending school is significant, so students should plan carefully. Very few SIPA fellowship awards cover full tuition, so students are encouraged to seek other sources of funding in addition to applying for a SIPA fellowship.

Interschool Fellowships

Interschool fellowships are available for a select few (five to seven) continuing students. These fellowships are given by donors who create the terms of eligibility and individual allotment. Maximum granted is $3,000. Interschool fellowships are need-based awards. All Columbia University students who meet the different and very specific eligibility requirements can apply.

Private Educational Funding

Private loans offered through banks are a common way international students help pay for educational costs while attending SIPA.  Loans are available both with and without a co-signer. For information on private loans, please visit the following site: http://www.columbia.edu/cu/sfs/docs/Grad_Fin_Aid/Private_Loans/index.html

Other Sources of Funding

Often, SIPA students are successful at securing external fellowship support toward their costs of attending graduate school. Many of these scholarships are described in the SIPA Directory of Fellowship Opportunities. If you are awarded an external fellowship, it is your responsibility to notify the SIPA financial aid office in writing.

See the Directory of External Grants and Fellowship Opportunities (PDF).

International Students also may seek financial aid through government loans from their country.

Other avenues of financial assistance for international students may often be found by doing some financial aid "homework." Admitted students may want to research scholarship and fellowship opportunities distributed from alma maters. Frequently, schools you have previously attended are willing to help finance students' higher education.

In addition, organizations, in your interest areas, to which you belong, sometimes give partial funds to members seeking educational funding assistance.

Student Employment

International students are not eligible for work-study but may work as a "casual employee." Teacher's assistant or program assistant positions are not available but, depending on the budget available at various departments, you may be eligible to aid professors based on their individual needs.

For links and information on available campus jobs for international students, please visit http://www.cce.columbia.edu/students/find_a_job/.