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The Office of Student Financial Planning is pleased to provide the following financial aid information to students in the School of Professional Studies (SPS). Our office in 202 Kent Hall is the central contact for counseling SPS students on financial aid.
Students in SPS must meet graduate student eligibility requirements for financial aid.
Important Notice
If you plan to apply for federal financial aid and attend classes during the Summer 2017, Fall 2017 or Spring 2018 semesters, please complete the 2017-18 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible.
Resources
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Short Videos: Learn about Key Steps in the Financial Aid Process
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Learn More about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Find Important Forms
Contact Us
Cost of Attendance by Program
The cost of attendance, also known as the "budget" or "COA," represents the student's maximum financial aid eligibility. The budget is determined by the school and consists of tuition and fees plus estimated living expenses.
In determining the budget, the school applies a conservative estimate of living expenses to all students. We recognize, however, that actual living expenses vary from person to person. If the student faces higher actual costs or has extenuating circumstances that warrant a higher cost of attendance, the student may request a budget increase.
2017-2018 Financial Aid Checklist - Graduate Students (PDF)
All Masters Degree Programs except MS Information and Knowledge Strategy, MS Technology Management, and MS Strategic Communications
2017-2018 Financial Aid Checklist - Graduate Students (PDF)
2017-18
(Estimated costs based on a nine-month academic year.)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition* | $ 4,036 - $ 72,648 (1 to 18 points per semester) |
| Fees** | $ 1,345 - $ 5,954 |
| Living*** | $ 0 - $ 20,682 |
| Books | $ 330 - $ 1,320 |
| Commute*** | $ 0 - $ 1,089 |
| Personal*** | $ 0 - $ 4,671 |
| Loan Origination*** | $ 0 - $ 218 |
| TOTAL | $ 5,711 - $ 106,582 |
*Professional Studies tuition and fees are based on number of credits. Please estimate your planned course load to calculate total tuition. Registration for more than 18 points per semester could results in additional charges. Visit http://sps.columbia.edu/ for more information.
**Includes health insurance fee, student activity fee, health services fee, and university facility fee. Also includes document fee - a one time fee charged in first semester of attendance and ISSO fee charged to international students only. Additional fees may apply.
***Students enrolled below six credits in any semester will not be budgeted for living expenses, personal expenses, commuting expenses, and loan origination fees.
MS Information Knowledge Strategy
2017-2018 Financial Aid Checklist - Graduate Students (PDF)
2017-18
(Estimated costs based on a nine-month academic year.)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition* | $ 4,352 - $ 78,336 (1 to 18 points per semester) |
| Fees** | $ 1,345 - $ 5,954 |
| Living*** | $ 0 - $ 20,682 |
| Books | $ 330 - $ 1,320 |
| Commute*** | $ 0 - $ 1,089 |
| Personal*** | $ 0 - $ 4,671 |
| Loan Origination*** | $ 0 - $ 218 |
| TOTAL | $ 6,027 - $ 112,270 |
*Professional Studies tuition and fees are based on number of credits. Please estimate your planned course load to calculate total tuition. Registration for more than 18 points per semester could results in additional charges. Visit http://sps.columbia.edu/ for more information.
**Includes health insurance fee, student activity fee, health services fee, and university facility fee. Also includes document fee - a one time fee charged in first semester of attendance and ISSO fee charged to international students only. Additional fees may apply.
***Students enrolled below six credits in any semester will not be budgeted for living expenses, personal expenses, commuting expenses, and loan origination fees.
MS Technology Management
2017-2018 Financial Aid Checklist - Graduate Students (PDF)
2017-18
(Estimated costs based on a nine-month academic year.)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition* | $ 4,036 - $ 72,648 (1 to 18 points per semester) |
| Fees** | $ 1,345 - $ 5,954 |
| Residency Fee | $ 4,160 |
| Living*** | $ 0 - $ 20,682 |
| Books | $ 330 - $ 1,320 |
| Commute*** | $ 0 - $ 1,089 |
| Personal*** | $ 0 - $ 4,671 |
| Loan Origination*** | $ 0 - $ 218 |
| TOTAL | $ 9,871 - $ 110,742 |
*Professional Studies tuition and fees are based on number of credits. Please estimate your planned course load to calculate total tuition. Registration for more than 18 points per semester could results in additional charges. Visit http://sps.columbia.edu/ for more information.
**Includes health insurance fee, student activity fee, health services fee, and university facility fee. Also includes document fee - a one time fee charged in first semester of attendance and ISSO fee charged to international students only. Additional fees may apply.
***Students enrolled below six credits in any semester will not be budgeted for living expenses, personal expenses, commuting expenses, and loan origination fees.
MS Strategic Communications
2017-2018 Financial Aid Checklist - Graduate Students (PDF)
2017-18
(Estimated costs based on a nine-month academic year.)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition* | $ 4,036 - $ 72,648 (1 to 18 points per semester) |
| Fees** | $ 1,345 - $ 5,954 |
| Residency Fee*** | $ 2,000 |
| Living**** | $ 0 - $ 20,682 |
| Books | $ 330 - $ 1,320 |
| Commute**** | $ 0 - $ 1,089 |
| Personal*** | $ 0 - $ 4,671 |
| Loan Origination**** | $ 0 - $ 218 |
| TOTAL | $ 5,711 - $ 106,582 |
*Professional Studies tuition and fees are based on number of credits. Please estimate your planned course load to calculate total tuition. Registration for more than 18 points per semester could results in additional charges. Visit http://sps.columbia.edu/ for more information.
**Includes health insurance fee, student activity fee, health services fee, and university facility fee. Also includes document fee - a one time fee charged in first semester of attendance.
***$1,000 residency fee charged over three terms of the enrollment in the program.
****Students enrolled below six credits in any semester will not be budgeted for living expenses, personal expenses, commuting expenses, and loan origination fees.
All Certificate Programs except Classics
2017-18
(Estimated costs based on a nine-month academic year.)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition* | $ 3,796 - $ 72,648 (1 to 18 points per semester) |
| Fees** | $ 845 - $ 5,378 |
| Living*** | $ 0 - $ 20,682 |
| Books | $ 330 - $ 1,320 |
| Commute*** | $ 0 - $ 1,089 |
| Personal*** | $ 0 - $ 4,671 |
| Loan Origination*** | $ 0 - $ 218 |
| TOTAL | $ 4,971 - $ 106,006 |
*Professional Studies tuition and fees are based on number of credits. Please estimate your planned course load to calculate total tuition. Registration for more than 18 points per semester could results in additional charges. Visit http://sps.columbia.edu/ for more information.
**Includes health insurance fee, student activity fee, health services fee, and university facility fee. Also includes document fee - a one time fee charged in first semester of attendance and ISSO fee charged to international students only. Additional fees may apply.
***Students enrolled below six credits in any semester will not be budgeted for living expenses, personal expenses, commuting expenses, and loan origination fees.
Classics
2017-18
(Estimated costs based on a nine-month academic year.)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 17,000 ($ 8,500 flat rate per semester) |
| Fees** | $ 845 - $ 5,378 |
| Living*** | $ 0 - $ 20,682 |
| Books | $ 330 - $ 1,320 |
| Commute*** | $ 0 - $ 1,089 |
| Personal*** | $ 0 - $ 4,671 |
| Loan Origination*** | $ 0 - $ 218 |
| TOTAL | $ 18,175 - $ 50,358 |
**Includes health insurance fee, student activity fee, health services fee, and university facility fee. Also includes document fee - a one time fee charged in first semester of attendance and ISSO fee charged to international students only. Additional fees may apply.
***Students enrolled below six credits in any semester will not be budgeted for living expenses, personal expenses, commuting expenses, and loan origination fees.
Student Loans
Federal Direct Loans
For general information, visit our Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans page.
Note: SPS Students enrolled in either a graduate degree program or a federally approved certificate program and meet the general eligibility criteria may be eligible to receive these loans.
Aside from the FAFSA, the Office of Student Financial Planning requires the following documents:
- Direct Loan Master Promissory Note: All new students and/or first time borrowers must complete the Master Promissory Note.
- Entrance Interview: All new students and/or first time borrowers are required to complete the Entrance Interview before funds are disbursed to their University student account.
- Exit Interview: Students who are graduating or cease to be registered for at least six credits must complete the Exit interview.
Federal Direct Graduate Plus Loans
For general information, visit our Federal Direct Graduate Plus Loans page.
Alternative Loan Programs (Additional educational loans)
Private Loans
For general information, visit our Private Loans page.
Scholarships and Grants
Visit our Outside Awards page.