Application Process

FAFSA

Students begin the application process by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
To complete the application for Columbia, students need to use Federal School code: 002707. In prior years, student and parent borrowers logged in using a federal PIN in order to complete the FAFSA, but effective May 10, 2015, an FSA ID replaces the PIN.
 

NetPartner

NetPartner allows students to view their federal aid information, including: awards, missing information and other required documentation, messages related to aid awarded, and cost of attendance.

*Please note that NetPartner does not support Law student accounts.

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Loan Request Form

Please contact your individual undergraduate or graduate school for loan request forms.

 

Direct Loan Master Promissory Notes (MPN)
for Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans

Complete the Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (subsidized/unsubsidized application) at www.studentloans.gov. Under the section to the left titled "Master Promissory Note" select "Complete MPN" and then the link "subsidized/unsubsidized." For the school name, select "Columbia University in the City of New York" in the drop-down. Borrowers will need to have a federal PIN in order to complete the online application process.

 

Direct Graduate PLUS Promissory Note

Complete a Graduate PLUS Master Promissory Note at www.studentloans.gov.  Under the section to the left titled "Master Promissory Note" select "Complete MPN" and then the link "Graduate PLUS".  For the school name, select Columbia University in the City of New York in the drop down.  Do not complete any online forms in the section "PLUS loan process" it will not be accepted and will give you an error message.  You will not be asked for a dollar amount in this application.  Please then check with your school to be given access to their internal Graduate PLUS Credit Authorization Form.  You will request a Graduate PLUS dollar amount on this form.

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Entrance Counseling

All students whose financial aid packages include Federal Direct loans must complete Entrance Counseling before the loans can be originated. Entrance counseling provides information on your rights and responsibilities as a student loan borrower. You must complete entrance counseling for each corresponding loan type you are borrowing.  Please visit www.studentloans.gov to complete the entrance counseling process for both the direct subsidized and unsubsidized loans, as well as the Graduate PLUS loan. Entrance counseling for Perkins, Nursing, or Columbia institutional loans must be completed on SSOL.

Your Entrance Counseling will not be considered complete until you have gone through the entire interview and electronically signed according to the instructions. Once you have completed your Entrance Counseling online, you will receive a confirmation email, which you need for your records.

PLUS Loan Credit Counseling

PLUS Counseling is required if you have been notified that you have adverse credit history and you have obtained an endorser or you have provided satisfactory documentation regarding the extenuating circumstances related to your adverse credit history to the U.S. Department of Education. Please visit www.studentloans.gov to complete PLUS counseling.

Your PLUS counseling will not be considered complete until you have gone through the entire interview and electronically signed according to the instructions. Once you have completed the counseling you will receive a confirmation email, which you need for your records. Please note that this counseling is separate from the Entrance Counseling requirement.

 

Exit Counseling

Exit counseling is required when you leave school, either for graduation or a leave of absence. Exit Counseling is also required if your enrollment drops below half-time. For more information on Exit Counseling, see Graduation, Withdrawal and Leaves.

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