International Students

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More information on the student visa process 

More information Employment Authorization 

More information on who can apply for a Social Security Number (SSN), here

https://isso.columbia.edu/content/guidelines-maintaining-status-students

A travel signature is relevant only to F-1 students or J-1 students (and their dependents) who are planning to travel abroad and return to the U.S. in F or J status. This includes alumni who remain in F or J status for post-graduation F-1 OPT or J-1 AT. You must have an unexpired travel signature on the date you re-enter the U.S. 

Apply For Your Visa

US Bank Account Process

Explore Columbia University Housing Options

File Your Nonresident Tax Forms 

https://isso.columbia.edu/content/student-services

SIPA funding is awarded without regard to citizenship, and many international students receive fellowships, scholarships and assistantships while enrolled at SIPA. Detailed information about financial assistance, including how some forms of aid to international students may be subject to US taxes, can be found on the SIPA and Columbia University Funding page.

SIPA students are often successful at securing external fellowship or grant support toward the cost of attending graduate school. Many of these funds are described in the SIPA Database of External Grants and Fellowships.  We recommend that you investigate resources available both in the United States for international students as well as funding from your country.

• Scholarships for Development
• Cappex
• CareerOneStop
• EduMed
• Fastweb
• GraduateScholarships
• Immigrants Rising.org
• International Scholarships
• International Student Organization
• ScholarshipOwl
• Scholarships.com - funds for undocumented/ DACA students
• IEFA  
• Edupass
• International Student Organization
• PEO International 
• Scholarship for Development
• IREX 
• UNIGO 

The Graduate Initiative for Inclusion and Engagement is part of Columbia’s commitment to diversity and the success of all graduate and professional school students. More information HERE.

Campus Conversations is a dialogue-based initiative created to promote understanding across differences. It offers students, undergraduate and graduate, a way to learn critical listening skills, manage difficult conversations, and talk about identity. Join a Campus Conversation and you will make a friend, have a real conversation and build community at Columbia. More information HERE.

University Life Ambassadors contribute ideas, engage with other student leaders, consult with University Life staff, promote events and more. Ambassadors also have opportunities to share their voice, perspectives or experience on timely topics for University Life’s communications channels. More information HERE.

CU Engage is a nonpartisan civic engagement initiative, created by University Life and the Office of Government and Community Affairs.

University Life Events and Opportunities HERE.

As a member of the Columbia community, your well-being outside of the classroom is just as important as your academic success. We have a range of campus resources, programs and practical strategies for well-being.

There are some US banks who offer loan to international students, which can be an option for meeting your educational costs while attending SIPA. While many loans available to international students require a creditworthy co-signer who is a US citizen or permanent resident, there are sometimes options available to students without a co-signer.  Some international students at SIPA borrow student loans from their homeland, and if those are available in your country, you should investigate those resources as well. Click here for more information on some suggested lenders.

Assistantship positions are available to both international and domestic students in their second year (for students in full-time, 2-year programs) and all students may apply by the deadline advertised by the Office of Student Affairs.  Applications open early in the spring semester of the first year of study.  International students are not eligible for the Federal Work Study program but may work part-time on campus as what is often referred to at Columbia as a "casual employee." These are not forms of financial aid, the SIPA Financial Aid Office does not administer such jobs, nor can staff assist students in finding such work.

International students receiving any kind of stipend or salary from SIPA or Columbia University (including salary from an Assistantship) should review the information from the International Students and Scholars Office regarding taxation and obtaining a Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer ID.