LET’S TALK MONEY

At Columbia, we’re proud to offer generous aid packages to help make your education more affordable—and we only need three things from you to maximize your aid:

1 For merit-based aid: Submit your Columbia application—Seriously, that’s it, that’s all you have to do.

2 For need-based aid: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)*. All eligible students who submit a FAFSA are guaranteed at least $1,000 in need-based aid.

3 For talent-based aid: Submit your materials for our talent-based scholarship, the Faculty Recognition Award (FRA). The FRA is only available to fall applicants. Portfolio/audition requirements and submission deadlines can vary based on intended major. See colum.edu/fra and colum.edu/bfa for more.

*Spring 2024 applicants should complete the 2023-2024 FAFSA, which is available now. Fall 2024 applicants should complete the 2024-2025 FAFSA, which is likely to be delayed this year due to changes in Department of Education policies. Keep an eye on fafsa.gov for more details.

Illinois residents who are not eligible to submit a FAFSA can complete the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid. See colum.edu/illaltapp for details.

For students outside of Illinois who cannot complete the FAFSA, talk with your admissions representative about your situation. They’re here to help!

2023–2024 ANNUAL COSTS

ESTIMATED ANNUAL TUITION AND FEES:

$32,520

Types Of Aid

MERIT-BASED AID

For Freshman students, merit-based aid will likely be one of three awards: The Dean’s Scholarship, The Columbia CPS Award, and The Columbia Creatives Award. Most students qualify for the Dean’s Scholarship. The CPS Award is for students graduating from a Chicago Public high school and may carry the name of the specific high school you attended. The Creatives Award is for students graduating from any of the member high schools in the Art Schools Network. All applicants are automatically considered for the scholarship for which they qualify upon admission.

Chicagoland Transfer Award: The Chicagoland Transfer Award was established to recognize transfer students from eligible Chicago area community colleges. One fulltuition award and ten additional awards are available each year. A separate application is required.

Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship: Members of the PTK Honor Society may be eligible for an additional annually renewed scholarship.

Shape What’s Next Scholarship: Students transferring from a four-year college or university may be eligible for an additional annually renewed scholarship.

ESTIMATED ANNUAL ROOM AND BOARD: $22,000

Columbia Excellence Award: All International applicants are considered for this scholarship upon admission.

NEED-BASED AID

Columbia Scholar Award: Students who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), using Columbia’s school code (001665), will automatically be considered for need-based aid. A minimum $1,000 annual award is granted to all eligible students who submit a FAFSA.

TALENT-BASED AID

The Faculty Recognition Award is Columbia’s talent-based scholarship. Portfolio/audition requirements and submission deadlines can vary based on intended major. See colum.edu/fra and colum.edu/bfa for more. Talent-based aid is only available to fall applicants.

Forming Your Financial Plan

To see detailed terms and conditions of all scholarships, go to colum.edu/scholarships. You can get started on your personalized financial plan at colum.edu/netprice.

The Chicagoland Transfer Award, Phi Theta Kappa Award, Shape What’s Next, and Chicago STAR scholarships are NOT included in the figures on the following pages. Each has its own eligibility criteria, and the Chicagoland Transfer Award requires a separate application due by April 1, 2024. See colum.edu/cta, colum.edu/ptk, colum.edu/swn, and colum.edu/star for more information.