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Emergency Aid

In cases of sudden, unanticipated and unforeseeable financial hardship, enrolled students may be eligible to apply for emergency aid. Students may apply after they have exhausted all other financial possibilities. Emergency aid is reliant on availability of funds; eligibility to apply does not guarantee an award, and applicants may be approved for less than the full amount requested.

Student Eligibility Requirements

  • Currently in residence at SIPA and enrolled in a one- or two-year SIPA degree program (MPA, MIA, MPA-DP, MPA-EPM, MPA-ESP, MPA-GL, or EMPA) at Columbia University in the City of New York, and maintaining good academic standing. Emergency aid requests are only reviewed during active periods of enrollment and will not be evaluated during non-enrollment periods, such as breaks between the fall and spring semesters. Applications are only reviewed during the summer if you are enrolled in the summer term.
  • Facing a sudden, unanticipated and unforeseeable financial hardship resulting from a legitimate emergency/catastrophic event.
  • Exhausted all other financial resources, including loans to a reasonable extent if eligible. US citizens or permanent residents must have a completed FAFSA for the current academic year on file with the Office of Financial Aid.
  • Able to provide a clear and credible plan for meeting expenses for the remainder of your enrollment.
  • Ready to submit supporting documentation if requested (translated into English, if applicable).

Emergency Aid Parameters

  • Replacement or upgrade of personal technology, such as laptops or other equipment, does not qualify for emergency aid, as these funds are reserved for unexpected, critical financial hardships.
  • Awards may be provided in the form of stipends (direct payments to students) or tuition credits. The Emergency Aid Program has a lifetime maximum award limit of $10,000 per student. In rare and exceptional circumstances, this lifetime maximum may be exceeded only with the unanimous approval of the Emergency Aid Committee, following a comprehensive review of documented financial need, available institutional resources, and the student’s overall financial plan.
  • All emergency aid determinations are made at the sole discretion of the Emergency Aid Committee and are based on a holistic assessment that may include, but is not limited to, the severity and immediacy of the financial hardship, the availability of institutional funds, prior emergency aid received, and the student’s demonstrated ability to meet ongoing financial obligations. Approval of emergency aid in any amount does not create an entitlement to future assistance, does not establish precedent for other cases, and does not guarantee approval of subsequent or additional requests.
  • Award decisions are typically made and communicated in about one week, but please allow for flexibility during peak seasons.
  • Processing of stipends typically takes 3-5 business days after initially posted, and with direct deposit, timing also depends on procedures at the student’s bank.  Setting up a direct deposit account is strongly encouraged to expedite the delivery of funds; otherwise stipends are disbursed as a hard copy check, sent through the US mail.
  • Tuition grants are typically credited to students’ accounts 24-48 hours from the time they are initially posted.
  • Decisions by the Emergency Aid Committee are final.

Emergency Aid Application

  • If you meet all the requirements stated above, fill out the Student Application for Emergency Relief (SAFER).  You will be directed to the same application portal used to apply to SIPA.  Use your application credentials and click on forgot password, if necessary.  You can reach out to our office if you have any questions.
  • The application includes a space to provide a narrative and will ask you for information about your financial plan for your remaining time at SIPA.  You may upload any documentation you feel is helpful to submit with the application, including additional narrative information if you find the space provided in the application is not sufficient.
  • If you do not meet all the requirements stated above, contact the Financial Aid Office to discuss financing options.  For budgeting assistance, we recommend reviewing the resources available on iGrad.

Columbia University Student Services

SIPA students have access to a variety of services/assistance offered by Columbia University.

  • We understand that our international students may face increased uncertainties and challenges while away from home during their studies. A change in financial circumstances may arise due to events in their home countries such as natural disasters, armed conflict, humanitarian crises, as well as other circumstances, including shifting geopolitical factors. To support our international students in managing financial hardships, the University has established a fund to assist with unanticipated costs. 

    Important Application Information for the University Hardship Fund

    • Students are only eligible for one award.
    • Students must be currently enrolled in a NY-based degree program
    • Due to the availability of funds, not all requests can be fully funded.
    • The application will be open for the entire academic year.
    • The award does not have to be repaid. It is not a loan.
    • Grant funds must be used for the purposes specified in the application.
    • Grants will be processed as aid for living expenses and paid as a stipend. If required, taxes will be withheld. Information on stipends and information on taxes.
    • The application will ask for a description and documentation to support the unanticipated expenses.
    • Please make sure you are signed up for direct deposit.

    Please note that both the Humanitarian Fund and the University’s Hardship Fund applications are accessed through the same link on the SFS International Hardship page. Even if you are not eligible for the Humanitarian Fund, you may still submit a University’s Hardship Fund application via that application link. 

     

  • The Food Pantry at Columbia is a student-run, student-managed initiative open to all students. Any student experiencing food insecurity can reach out to The Food Pantry to get a disbursement containing non-perishable food such as canned meat, vegetables, or fruit, cold and hot cereal, and vegetarian options are available. Any information shared with The Food Pantry will remain in strict confidence.  The Food Pantry's page also includes links to other community resources.

  • Columbia University Shuttle Routes provide services across campuses Monday through Friday and during evening hours.

    Download the Passio Go! App.

  • Columbia University IT offers services for repairing hardware and disaster recovery support.

  • Columbia's Off-Campus Housing Assistance (OCHA) office assists Columbia students and affiliates in their search for rental housing in the metropolitan area. OCHA manages a database known as the Housing Registry which includes available rooms and apartments in non-Columbia-owned buildings and sublets of units in Columbia-managed housing.

Community Resources

Please note that if potentially eligible, a student applies for these public benefits directly to the appropriate agency; there is no process to go through at Columbia University or SIPA.

  • Unemployment Assistance may be available from the state in which you last worked shortly after losing a job.  For information on benefits and the application process in New York.  Processes and eligibility criteria can vary from state to state.  Information is generally available from a state's Department of Labor.

  • To get SNAP benefits, you must apply in the state in which you currently live and you must meet certain requirements, including resource and income limits.  Recent temporary guidance from the US Departments of Education and Agriculture indicates that students enrolled on at least a half-time basis (6 credits per semester) may qualify if a completed FAFSA indicates an Estimated Family Contribution (end result of the formula that incorporates a student's FAFSA data) of zero, or if the student qualifies for Work Study (even if you are not currently participating in Work Study).  Contact the Office of Financial Aid if you have questions about these criteria or to request verifying documentation; other eligibility requirements unrelated to financial aid apply.  Additional information about student SNAP eligibility and you can also learn more about contact information in your state by reviewing this SNAP State Directory of Resources.