Financial Aid @ Columbia

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
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<p>I remember reading from one of the things Columbia sent me that they have "greatly reduced" costs for families who make under $120,000. But what does "greatly reduced" actually mean? Columbia is one of my top choices (number one if it does have good FA), but my mum refuses to pay more than 10k a year for college... she thinks I need to save up for grad school even though, as a Physics student, it probably won't cost much. Also she's old (58 in October) and doesn't want to dip into her retirement funds as she plans on retiring at 65. My dad, who is divorced from her, is unemployed and makes probably at or under 15k a year from selling stuff on eBay. </p>

<p>What amount of aid can I expect with my mum making 90k a year and my dad, whom I no longer live with, unemployed and making 15k? Thanks!</p>

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<p>How much your parents should contribute depends on their income and assets. But if you are living with a single parent, I don’t think the parent contribution will be too great. In case Columbia expects your mom to pay more than 10 grand a year, you can always take out loans (even though it’s unnecessary and Columbia’s financial aid department professes to meet 100% of your need).</p>