<p>I've tried contacting both the financial aid offices and a few students, but I'm still confused about the "Family Contribution" (the combination of Parent and Student Contributions). I know that, no matter how many scholarships you earn, there will always be money needed to be paid by the Family.</p>
<p>Although I could be wrong, I've heard that the amount of the student contribution is AROUND $2,000 (give and take) for most Columbia students - and mine's just a little bit more. </p>
<p>I've generated a surplus of money in scholarships, so I don't have to do any work-study the first year, but this money can't be applied to the Student Contribution - so now I'm just curious/seriously wondering: what exactly does the Student Contribution pay for?</p>
<p>If it's for "personal" spending, then I'll quit considering a loan. If it's for money we're expected to pay at the beginning of the first semester, then I should probably be heading to the bank, just because my town offers limited jobs for seniors, seeing as we all leave in August and rarely come back.</p>
<p>As far as I know, the student contribution is just your financial need minus the aid they’re giving you, based on the cost of attendance. It goes toward tuition, fees, books, room, board, or anything else included in the cost of attendance. Of course, the cost of attendance does include “personal expenses,” which isn’t directly paid to the bursar, so it could very well go towards personal spending. Just make sure not to rack up other expenses in dining/books/etc. so you have that extra money.</p>
<p>During our meeting with our FA advisor at DOC, we learned that the student contribution is basically tuition. It is a portion they want to come directly from the student and NO it is not used for personal expenses. I believe all Columbia students are asked to pay 2444 their 1st year and that amount increases to around 3,100 your senior year. So, if your scholarships have cut away WS whatever is left over will then trim down your grant money(if applicable). As for whether the scholarship money can be used for personal expenses or books, that would be up to the conditions set forth by the institution that awarded the scholarship.</p>
<p>question of my life. except not Columbia but northwestern. im going to copy and repost the original post in the northwestern thread and see how the people there respond! thank you for articulating my question lol</p>