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 and will not be applied if the
student is already receiving assistance, either from CCC or from a third-party,
greater than or equal to their annual tuition. Students are automatically
awarded this grant based on the eligibility criteria listed below. Funds are
awarded on a rolling basis until the deadline. Funds are not guaranteed.
Deadline:
- A PLUS Loan Application must be submitted by August 1 of the upcoming award year.
Award Amount:
Eligibility Criteria:
- Dependent, undergraduate student in a degree seeking program
- Full-time enrollment (registered for at least 12 credit hours per
semester)
- Currently in good academic standing (grade point average greater than or equal to 2.0 (new
students GPA determined from high school transcripts; continuing students GPA
based on cumulative)
- Parent has applied for and been denied the Federal Parent PLUS Loan
- The student has borrowed the additional Unsubsidized Stafford loan funds
awarded
- Note: Students who cancel their additional unsubsidized Stafford loan forfeit their 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
