Hiya!
Recently admitted student here.
I have a question about the GS New Student Scholarship. The GS site says that the scholarship ranges from $500-$25,000. Does anyone know if this is per term, or per year? I’m about to appeal my financial aid award and just wanted to know.
Does anyone have any additional input on appealing a financial aid award, scholarship increases, etc.?
Students are usually given roughly $5,000 per semester. To be clear, this is a rough estimate, but I would expect something in this range. Also, the scholarships are merit-based, so your financial awards can increase throughout your experience at Columbia based on how well you do. I’ve done some research, however, that suggests that the increases in scholarship money are marginal at best.
If finances are tight, and you have other options, consider them: Columbia is a great school, but in my opinion, it does not warrant a staggering amount of debt.
Hey guys, I thought I’d bump this thread, as I’m also having a hard time finding much info about GS financial aid. I’ve been accepted to GS for Spring '17 (!!), but I have an extremely generous aid offer from a peer institution (a USNWR top-ten national university). I live in NYC, my strong preference is to attend Columbia, and I am willing and able to pay a small premium to stay here, but I’m not willing to take out loans in excess of $20k/year. (loans at the other school would only be $5k/year)
I’ve read about the disparity in aid money between CC and GS, and I’ve seen several versions of published aid info suggesting the average GS aid package (including loans) is in the ~$25k/year range. here’s an example: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/college-university-search/columbia-university-school-of-general-studies
What have your experiences been with the financial aid office? Has anyone been able to get a bump in their package because of a higher offer from a peer institution?
If you have an extremely generous offer from one of Columbia’s peer institutions, do not hesitate to take it. I’m not sure where you got the $25k figure but I have yet to encounter anyone with that generous of an aid package. You’re likely to get $4-6k per semester. To be clear, this is just an estimate - you could get more or less. Regardless, if the peer institution to which you’re referring is another Ivy or a UChicago/Hopkins or whatever, you’d so much better off accepting their offer. I can’t really give you a thorough response to your last question, but I’d imagine it wouldn’t put you in that much of a better position.
Thanks Nick. I almost certainly will, but I’m going to at least wait to see what they offer. I’m also confused by the 25k figure, which I believe includes loans. I suspect that’s a result of students enrolling only part time and others on the GI Bill?
Hi All - I’m Erin, a current GS student and GS Tour Guide, and I wanted to comment on educational financing at GS.
First off, if you want to see how much GS typically gives out in scholarships, I’d encourage you to go directly to the source and visit https://gs.columbia.edu/institutional-scholarships.
Even better, if you’re an admitted student, talk this over directly with our educational financing office. You can schedule a phone appointment OR visit in person; if you’re near NYC and you make an appointment, it’s pretty easy to take the 1 train to campus and speak with one of the financial aid directors. They tend to be frank and very helpful.
As you can see on the GS website, the average scholarship for first year students ranges from $8,000 - $10,000 per year, and is merit-based. That scholarship amount can increase by $2000 - $5000 each subsequent year you attend, based upon your academic success and your enrollment.
HOWEVER, the GS scholarship is only one part of a student’s overall financial aid package. In fact, each student has an individualized package offered to them. That package can include other forms of financial aid, such as federal and state grants, need-based enhancement grants, federal institutional loans, and outside fellowship monies.
The fact that so many different types of students attend GS is likely the reason why we see such figures on the College Board’s website that was tagged above, but speaking directly to GS’s Office of Educational Financing is definitely the best way to figure out your specific award information.
Hope this information helps!