Financial Assistance Programs
for all students
Columbia recognizes the need for additional financial assistance for students who, during their enrollment, encounter unexpected and extreme financial hardship that threatens to interrupt previous financial plans.
There are two financial assistance programs for which a student can be considered: Tuition Assistance Grant and Supplemental Assistance Program. To be considered for these financial assistance programs a students needs to first have a current Student Aid Report (SAR) on file. To receive a SAR, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Click here to get started on the FAFSA Process.
After your SAR has been received by the college you will receive a CCC Award Letter as soon as April 1 for the next upcoming school year. Your SAR will outline all financial assistance programs for which you are eligible and also the next steps in accessing these programs.
Eligibility Criteria, deadlines and award amounts for each program are listed below.
This non-renewable award is used to assist families that have exhausted federal and state funding options in financing their tuition. This award is only applied toward tuition and fee expenses. Students are automatically awarded this grant based on the eligibility criteria listed below. Funds are awarded on a rolling basis until the deadlines listed below. Funds are not guaranteed.
Deadline:
- A PLUS Loan Application must be submitted by August 1 of the upcoming award year.
Award Amount:
- $2,000 Minimum $4,000 Maximum
Award amount is based on Need determined by the EFC indicated on FAFSAEligibility Criteria:
- Dependent, undergraduate student in a degree seeking program
- Full-time enrollment (registered for at least 12 credit hours per semester)
- Parent has applied for and been denied access to the Federal Parent PLUS Loan
Note: Subsequent approved PLUS Loan applications received will result in forfeit of a student's eligibility for this award
This is a non-renewable institutional grant given to full-time Columbia students who have exhausted all possible self-help financial aid assistance opportunities regarding payment of his/her current student account balance. The SFS grant is used for the sole purpose of assisting with paying actual costs on the student's account balance. No refunds are given as a result of receiving this award. Recipients of this grant are identified by Student Financial Services after all self-help financial aid assistance has been applied to the student account and a significant balance remains. Funds are awarded until the fund is exhausted and are not guaranteed. Students interested in discussing their eligibility should do so by making a consultation appointment with a Student Financial Services Counselor.
Maximum Amount:
Additional Eligibility Criteria include but are not limited to:
- Students and parents must exhaust all federal and state self-help opportunities
- Have attended a counseling session to complete the Estimate Your Cost Worksheet and Student Account checklist
- Enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree seeking program
- Enrolled full-time (12 credit hours per semester for undergraduates, 9 hours for graduate students)
- In good academic standing (grade point average greater than or equal to 2.0)
- Earned at least 30 cumulative credit hours
- Completed FAFSA application on file for the current award year
- Not currently receiving Columbia College institutional aid or scholarship
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