Scholarship Funds

At Columbia, where about one-third of our students report annual family incomes of less than $36,000, we work very hard to remain affordable for students at all income levels. While we have maintained our moderate-cost pricing strategy, we have also sought to increase the amount of institutional financial assistance. By 2009, Columbia will award 700 new need-based scholarships to low-income students.

The Alumni Scholarship was established to recognize student achievement and to assist undergraduate students with paying for their educations. Scholarship winners are selected by alumni committee and receive a maximum of $3,000.

The President's Club Scholarship was established in 2005 to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Columbia's President's Club and help current students complete their degrees. Scholarships are awarded to juniors based on academic achievement, special accomplishment in the students' field of study, and demonstration of academic need. The maximum award of $10,000 is distributed over 4 semesters.

The Open Doors Scholarship Program, initiated in 2004 to provide support to Chicago Public School graduates, has been enhanced by a $500,000 award from the McCormick Tribune Foundation. This gift will be matched to establish a $1million endowment and generate 10 scholarships annually. The Open Doors Scholarship bridges the gap between state and federal financial aid programs and the cost of tuition and fees; the remaining estimated student contribution is $4,110 per year. By 2007, 200 Open Doors Scholarships at $5,000 per year will be available to new and continuing students.

Opportunity Scholarships are earmarked for low-income students who demonstrate academic merit.

Retention Award Scholarships will assist high-achieving, low-income Columbia students who are in danger of withdrawing due to financial pressures.  

In addition to the opportunities listed above, we have also established  departmental and named scholarship funds. For more information, click here to download our scholarship brochure.