Columbia University Cost of Attendance, Financial Aid, and Scholarships for 2025 Entry
As an Ivy League, Columbia University is one of the most competitive and costly film schools. However, Columbia is tuition-free to all undergraduate students with families that earn less than $150,000 per year. Half of all other incoming first-year students receive an average grant of $76,265, while 24% receive a Pell Grant.
FilmSchool.org's Application Database offers an overview of the total scholarship amounts received by our graduate members:
Academics
Room and board fees vary year by year and reflect the cost of living in New York City. In addition, all first-year students must pay to live on campus. the cost breakdown reflects a student living in a residence hall. For more information, visit Student Financial Services.
Undergraduate applicants with families that earn less than $66,000 per year are not expected to contribute toward the cost of tuition. Additionally, freshmen applicants from low-income families receive a $2,000 start-up grant to streamline transitioning into college.
Undergraduate students are expected to borrow $0 to attend Columbia University. The undergraduate financial aid process requires the steps:
Note: Transfer students are not eligible for scholarships through Columbia University, but are encouraged to seek third party scholarships and federal financial aid.
Academics
First- and Second-Year Students
Estimated cost of attendance for Research Arts year: $46,672
Living expenses are rough estimates and vary by semester. The total cost of attendance does not reflect additional fees, such as lab fees of $30-$125 per course and late payment or registration fees of $150 or more. To help offset these costs, Columbia offers a limited number of two-year Teaching Assistantships that pay over $24,000.
Domestic graduate students can request a waiver for the Columbia Student Health Insurance plan by submitting an application. The application must be submitted at the beginning of the academic year along with proof of coverage.
International students must be insured by Columbia University’s health plan, unless they provide proof of coverage through a U.S.-based, employer-sponsored, group health plan as a primary, spouse, or dependent. Learn more about Columbia University's health insurance plan.
Financial aid is need-blind, meaning your financial background will not affect your admissions decision. Full-time students (12-18 credits per semester) have first priority for Columbia University School of the Arts scholarships. Students in their thesis year(s) are billed at the lower Research Arts rate and thus rarely receive institutional scholarships.
To apply for institutional aid, follow these steps:
To apply for federal aid, follow these steps:
Film students are billed online via the Columbia UNI account with Student Account Statements. Students are sent a link to their statements each term (also available at ssol.columbia.edu). The monthly payment plan may help you manage the cost of attendance.
Fall billing is spread across four statements; spring billing is spread across six statements; and summer billing is spread across two statements. Bills not paid by the first due date of the semester will incur a $150 late fee. Learn more about the billing schedule.
Each year, Columbia awards an average of $19 million in financial aid. International students are not eligible for federal student aid, so the University provides funding through institutional resources. The average award for international financial aid recipients is $66,350, usually encompassing a Columbia grant (non-repayable) and work-study.
International students who need supplementary funds may be eligible for loans from U.S. lenders; many of these loans require a credit-worthy U.S. resident or permanent non-U.S. resident as a co-signer. Learn more about qualifying for international student loans. The University recommends these available lenders.
Columbia University offers a need-based Federal Work-Study (FWS) program to financially support film students through part-time employment. Positions are available throughout the university and within the off-campus community, including research-based roles and managing live events. Funds are dispersed from July 1 through June of the following year. To apply, you must meet these requirements:
However, students have other options to offset costs not covered by the Columbia Grant or federal financial aid. New York State offers grants, scholarships, and loans to New York residents attending part-time or full-time degree programs. The University encourages applicants to explore their database of more than 2,000 outside scholarships. Additionally, some Columbia students have had success with the BAFTA scholarship.
FilmSchool.org's Application Database offers an overview of the total scholarship amounts received by our graduate members:
- MFA in Screenwriting & Directing Admissions Statistics
- MFA in Creative Producing Admissions Statistics
Cost of undergraduate attendance (Fall 2024-Spring 2025)
Academics
- Tuition: $71,170
- New student fee: $675
- Books, personal expenses, and transportation: $3,992
- Housing and food: $17,580
Room and board fees vary year by year and reflect the cost of living in New York City. In addition, all first-year students must pay to live on campus. the cost breakdown reflects a student living in a residence hall. For more information, visit Student Financial Services.
Undergraduate applicants with families that earn less than $66,000 per year are not expected to contribute toward the cost of tuition. Additionally, freshmen applicants from low-income families receive a $2,000 start-up grant to streamline transitioning into college.
Undergraduate financial aid eligibility requirements
Undergraduate students are expected to borrow $0 to attend Columbia University. The undergraduate financial aid process requires the steps:
- Submit the FAFSA: The application for federal financial aid opens on October 1, 2022. Use school code 002707.
- Make your CSS profile: To obtain institutional aid, including the Columbia University Grant, make your CSS profile starting October 1, 2022.
- Provide tax documentation: Upload tax documents for you and your parents (or step-parents or guardians) to determine eligibility for the Columbia Grant.
- Complete the Outside Scholarship and External Payment Form: Upload this form if you need more than Columbia’s institutional aid.
Note: Transfer students are not eligible for scholarships through Columbia University, but are encouraged to seek third party scholarships and federal financial aid.
Cost of graduate attendance (Fall 2024-Spring 2025)
Academics
First- and Second-Year Students
- Tuition: $74,846
- Career Services fee: $160
- Student Activity fee: $90
- University Services and Support fee: $1,190
- Health Services fee: $1,388
- Medical Insurance: $4,955
- Tuition: $6,186
- Film MFA Thesis Fee: $5,320
- Career Services Fee: $160
- Student Activity Fee: $90
- University Services and Support Fee: $1,190
- Health Service Fee: $1,388
- Medical Insurance*: $4,955
- Housing: $14,751
- Food: $6,882
- Transportation: $1,323
- Personal expenses: $3,177
- Books and supplies: $1,250
Estimated cost of attendance for Research Arts year: $46,672
Living expenses are rough estimates and vary by semester. The total cost of attendance does not reflect additional fees, such as lab fees of $30-$125 per course and late payment or registration fees of $150 or more. To help offset these costs, Columbia offers a limited number of two-year Teaching Assistantships that pay over $24,000.
Domestic graduate students can request a waiver for the Columbia Student Health Insurance plan by submitting an application. The application must be submitted at the beginning of the academic year along with proof of coverage.
International students must be insured by Columbia University’s health plan, unless they provide proof of coverage through a U.S.-based, employer-sponsored, group health plan as a primary, spouse, or dependent. Learn more about Columbia University's health insurance plan.
Graduate financial aid eligibility requirements
Financial aid is need-blind, meaning your financial background will not affect your admissions decision. Full-time students (12-18 credits per semester) have first priority for Columbia University School of the Arts scholarships. Students in their thesis year(s) are billed at the lower Research Arts rate and thus rarely receive institutional scholarships.
To apply for institutional aid, follow these steps:
- Choose the pull-down menu option in your School of the Arts MFA Application for Admission stating that you wish to be considered for institutional aid.
- Complete the online School of the Arts Financial Aid Application by February 4, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
To apply for federal aid, follow these steps:
- Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): Use Columbia's code: 002707. In order to electronically sign your FAFSA, you will need an FSA ID.
- Submit the FAFSA by the final deadline: The form is due by June 30, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. You cannot receive federal aid until the form has been submitted.
Billing schedule for all students
Film students are billed online via the Columbia UNI account with Student Account Statements. Students are sent a link to their statements each term (also available at ssol.columbia.edu). The monthly payment plan may help you manage the cost of attendance.
Fall billing is spread across four statements; spring billing is spread across six statements; and summer billing is spread across two statements. Bills not paid by the first due date of the semester will incur a $150 late fee. Learn more about the billing schedule.
Funding for international students
Each year, Columbia awards an average of $19 million in financial aid. International students are not eligible for federal student aid, so the University provides funding through institutional resources. The average award for international financial aid recipients is $66,350, usually encompassing a Columbia grant (non-repayable) and work-study.
International students who need supplementary funds may be eligible for loans from U.S. lenders; many of these loans require a credit-worthy U.S. resident or permanent non-U.S. resident as a co-signer. Learn more about qualifying for international student loans. The University recommends these available lenders.
Federal Work-Study and scholarships
Columbia University offers a need-based Federal Work-Study (FWS) program to financially support film students through part-time employment. Positions are available throughout the university and within the off-campus community, including research-based roles and managing live events. Funds are dispersed from July 1 through June of the following year. To apply, you must meet these requirements:
- Be a United States citizens (or permanent non-resident).
- Complete the FAFSA for each year needed to receive aid.
However, students have other options to offset costs not covered by the Columbia Grant or federal financial aid. New York State offers grants, scholarships, and loans to New York residents attending part-time or full-time degree programs. The University encourages applicants to explore their database of more than 2,000 outside scholarships. Additionally, some Columbia students have had success with the BAFTA scholarship.
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