SIPA: School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University

Notification and Acceptance of Awards

Newly admitted students who have submitted their FAFSA and any other documentation requested by the Financial Aid Office will receive notification of their aid eligibility shortly after receiving their notice of admission. The Financial Aid Office generally begins notifying continuing students of their aid eligibility for the following year towards the end of the spring semester; continuing students should complete their FAFSA by April 15 to assure timely notification.

In addition, all students will receive an Educational Financing Packet from the Columbia University Student Financial Services Office, which will provide information on federal aid programs and a variety of private financing options.

• Submitting Required Documentation
• Entrance Counseling Interview
• Payment of University Tuition and Fees
• Refunds
• Deferring Other Education Loans While Studying at SIPA
• Information about U.S. Tax Law
• Tuition Tax Credits
   

Accepting Your Awards and Starting the Semester

Submitting Required Documentation

You will be able to accept or decline the various parts of your award on our financial aid self-service site, Net Partner. Return any documentation referenced in your award letter promptly to the SIPA Financial Aid Office. This may include, but is not necessarily limited to: loan promissory notes and entrance interviews (all online); federal tax returns or transcripts from the IRS; and other documents to verify aid eligibility, citizenship, Selective Service registration, or other statuses. The Financial Aid Office will provide specific instructions should any such documentation be needed.

Aid applicants should complete and submit all forms no later than thirty days prior to the beginning of the semester to ensure that aid disburses on time for the beginning of the semester.

Entrance Counseling Interview

All first-time Direct Loan, Perkins or institutional loan borrowers are required to complete an Entrance Counseling Session prior to receiving the first disbursement of a loan. This entrance counseling session can be completed on the Student Services Online (SSOL) page. Borrowers should do so at least thirty days prior to the beginning of the semester.  If this process is not complete, the disbursement of your loans will be delayed.

Payment of University Tuition and Fees

Charges for tuition and fees, billing, and payments are the jurisdiction of the University Office of Student Financial Services. You must pay the term tuition and fees in full by the due date listed on your Estimated Term Invoice. A late fee of $150 will be charged if you do not pay by the due date. Finance charges will be assessed on unpaid balances at 12% per annum.

Financial aid will be posted to your account shortly prior to the first day of each semester, provided all necessary documentation has been submitted and processes completed.

If you are borrowing a private student loan, it will be disbursed as a hard copy check, which will require your signature at Student Financial Services before it can be posted to your account. Also, please remember that scholarships or fellowships require a student to be enrolled full time (12 credits or more). Loans require a student to be enrolled for at least six credits.

Refunds

If the amount of aid you receive (scholarships, loans, grants, etc.) exceeds your balance (tuition plus fees), you will receive the credit balance as a refund that you can use for living expenses, textbooks, and other costs related to your studies. Refunds can be disbursed as checks (mailed to the address Columbia has on file, please make sure the Registrar's Office has your current/local address), or as a direct deposit into a bank account you designate. Please see the Student Financial Services Office Help Desk at 210 Kent Hall for more information if you are interested in setting up direct deposit for any such refund you may receive.

Please Note: Refunds are made available after the end of the add/drop period.  This means you should be prepared to pay living expenses from your own funds for the few weeks of the semester.

Deferring other Education Loans while you are Studying at SIPA

You may be eligible for deferment of payment on Stafford and Perkins loans while you are enrolled at Columbia on at least a half-time (six points) basis in a degree program. Students should obtain a deferment request form from their lenders and bring them to the Loan Certification Desk in the Registrar's Office in 205 Kent Hall. You may not defer your loans until you have begun enrollment at SIPA; and a new form will be required, for each term you are in attendance. Please continue to make payments until the lender notifies you that you are officially deferred.

Information about U.S. Tax Law

All grant aid (scholarships, fellowships) and any amounts received representing payments for teaching and research, which exceed the cost of tuition and required fees, books, and related classroom expenses are potentially subject to US income tax. Compliance with US income tax laws requires that in order to receive funding from the University (fellowship or teaching or research appointment), the student's University record (registration and bills) must reflect a US Social Security number. There will be no withholding on fellowship stipends paid to US citizens or permanent residents (taxes will be deducted from most stipend payments made to international students). The student is responsible for accurately reporting stipend amounts and for making tax payments if appropriate.

All students who receive a fellowship or appointment salary should file a US income tax return for each calendar year. Receipts for required books and supplies should be kept to justify appropriate deductions on the tax return. The University cannot offer advice on tax matters. We suggest that you consult a tax professional for further information or assistance (international students may want to contact their consulate).

Tuition Tax Credits

Students may qualify for tax credits for tuition costs or interest paid on student loans. Please visit a tax professional or the IRS website (www.irs.gov) for more information. You can also contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.

 

Contact Information:

Columbia University
School of International and Public Affairs
Office of Admissions and Financial Aid
420 West 118th Street, 4th Floor
408 International Affairs Building
New York, NY 10027
212-854-3010 (fax)

E-mail: sipa_finaid@columbia.edu

Office hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.