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Funding your Education
The SIPA Financial Aid Office is dedicated to helping its students explore all available means to finance their education. We provide access to federal, institutional, and private funding. Our financial aid staff is dedicated to working with you to assist throughout the application process and help you reach your goals. Students are encouraged to create a financing plan by the time the enrollment decision is made, and that plan should cover the duration of the academic program. Students’ plans typically include a combination of their own and/or family resources, student loans, and whatever funding they may qualify for from SIPA or external agencies. Financial aid is not available for expenses incurred during summers in which a student is not enrolled in classes.
Funding
SIPA and Columbia University Funding
Learn about the types of financial aid in the form of scholarships, fellowships and assistantships available to SIPA students, both from SIPA directly and other funds made available University-wide.
Financial Aid Deadlines
Fellowship Consideration: In order to receive funding consideration you must both apply before the fellowship deadline (and ensure all of your materials are submitted as well), and mark that you would like to be considered for funding in your application.
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Fellowship Consideration Final Application Deadline MIA October 15 October 15 MPA October 15 October 15 EMPA November 15 November 15 -
Fellowship Consideration Final Application Deadline MIA (Early Action) November 1 November 1 MIA December 20 February 5 MPA (Early Action) November 1 November 1 MPA December 20 February 5 MPA-DP (Early Action) November 1 November 1 MPA-DP December 20 February 5 EMPA TBA TBA PhD in Sustainable Development* December 12 December 12 GPPN** February 15 February 15 -
Fellowship Consideration Final Application Deadline MPA-EPM (Early Action & JJ/WBGSP) November 1 November 1 MPA-EPM December 20 February 15 MPA-ESP (Early Action) November 1 November 1 MPA-ESP January 15 February 15 MPA-GL (Early Action) November 1 November 1 MPA-GL December 20 March 1
Financial Aid Timeline
September
Admissions application opens (indicate financial aid request on application)
October
FAFSA is available for completion (U.S. citizens and permanent residents)
December
Priority Fellowship Consideration Deadline (part of the admissions application) - December 20, 2025
Mid-March
Admission and financial aid decisions released via slate student portal
April to early May
Student admission and financial aid offer responses due
Financial Aid News
Financial Education Presentation Series
Prospective and current students are encouraged to join our upcoming live financial education webinars. These sessions cover a range of student financial planning topics, including external scholarship resources, budgeting and financial planning, loan funding strategies, and other tools to help you plan for your educational expenses.
Update on Federal Student Loan Changes and Eligibility Requirements
Congress passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) in July 2025, introducing changes to federal student loans that take effect on July 1, 2026 and do not impact borrowing for the 2025–2026 academic year. Review the Columbia OBBBA webpage for more information and private loan options. Students may also contact the SIPA Office of Financial Aid with any questions.
Congressional Internship
The Office of Government and Community Affairs (GCA) provides assistance to Columbia undergraduates interested in spending the summer interning in either the local or Washington, D.C., office of a U.S. Member of Congress.
Limited GCA stipend funds may be available to students eligible for financial assistance. In order to be eligible, applicants must be students of Columbia College, the School of Engineering and Applied Science, or the School of General Studies. Barnard College offers assistance to students pursuing unpaid internships through the Beyond Barnard Internship Program. More information, including deadlines and requirements, can be found via their website.
Scholarship News
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The Israeli Policy Fellowship
The Israeli Policy Fellowship (IPF) provides Israeli students who have received a formal offer of admission to master’s programs at SIPA Columbia with a tuition subsidy of $40,000 per year, along with access to a strong peer community and mentorship from Israeli alumni. To be eligible for the fellowship, candidates must be Israeli citizens, have received an admission letter from SIPA Columbia, and demonstrate a proven record of public service commitment and leadership.
To learn more or apply, please visit the IPF website at israelipolicyfellowship.com or contact [email protected].
The Next Step - Smart Financial Planning for Life After Graduation (Webinar) - Explore how to navigate the financial realities of life after graduation.
This webinar focused on preparing students for the financial transition after graduation, offering practical guidance on how to navigate early career finances with confidence. From understanding your first paycheck to building a sustainable budget, the session highlighted key strategies for managing expenses, prioritizing financial goals, and making informed decisions about saving, borrowing, and investing. The discussion emphasized establishing strong financial habits early to support long-term stability and success.
Watch The Next Step - Smart Financial Planning for Life After Graduation webinar.
Loan Payment Analyzer (Tool)
The Loan Payment Analyzer tool helps you estimate what your monthly payments could look like based on the amount you borrow. By adjusting key factors such as loan balance, interest rate, and repayment term, you can better understand how different borrowing decisions impact your future financial obligations. It is particularly useful for students preparing to graduate, as it provides a clear picture of what repayment may look like after leaving school. This tool is designed to support informed planning, allowing you to evaluate affordability, compare scenarios, and make more confident choices about managing your student loans.
Explore The Loan Payment Analyzer tool.
FAFSA News
- 2026–2027 FAFSA® Form Now Available
- FAFSA guide 2026-27: Everything students and families need to know about completing the form this year
Federal Loans
Financial Aid Resources
Contact Us
Financial Aid Office
Columbia University
School of International and Public Affairs
514 West 113th Street
New York, NY 10025
[email protected]
Brandon Smith, Director of Financial Aid
Lakhbir Singh, Associate Director of Financial Aid
Quintin Sipp, Assistant Director of Financial Aid
NOTE: As a matter of your convenience, privacy and safety, we created online office hours, and ask students to make this the primary means of meeting with Financial Aid staff.