<p>After careful consideration, I'm considering Columbia SEAS to be my top choice. After looking through the admission statistics from my school, I believe that I have an extremely likely chance to be accepted through ED. The only concern I have is about the financial aid. My family earns approximately 40k a year, so I'm wondering how generous Columbia's financial aid is. Anyone willing to give insight on whether or not I should apply ED?</p>
<p>If your family makes less than $60k a year (based on Columbia’s calculations) you will effectively not have to pay anything. I was CC ED and my parents’ income was higher but we still got decently generous financial aid. Ended up being only a few thousand more than my state school (including scholarships I got from the state) and less than state school without scholarships.</p>
<p>neiro6 is correct. Due to the massive amounts of donations Columbia receives, Columbia is, in fact, quite generous with need-aid. If your parents only bring in 40K a year and you’re accepted, you’re looking at having to pay only the standard “bucket tuition,” that every student(dependent ones under their parents tax umbrella) pays which this year was 2,444. The rest of the fees will be matched with work study and grants.</p>
<p>As for applying ED, well, if SEAS is where you know you want to be then, yes! Make sure you have your backup plans ready and waiting . . . just in case. Good luck to you!</p>
<p>I don’t think any university has a more generous financial aid system than Columbia. I received way more than I thought I would.</p>
<p>It’s Columbia’s policy to cover the cost of education for anyone making $60K or less, and ED doesn’t hurt financial aid AT ALL. I’m ED and my parents are in the upper tax bracket, and we are still paying just as much as a state school.</p>