2027–28
Scholarship Aid & Educational Financing FAQ
Please Read Before You Apply
This document is not intended to be and should not be regarded as a contract. Columbia Journalism School scholarship and fellowship funds are not an entitlement; eligibility and selection are determined by the Columbia Journalism School (CJS) Scholarship Committee, at its discretion, and funds are distributed on a funds-available basis. All determinations made by the CJS Scholarship Committee are final. No appeals will be considered. CJS reserves the right to restructure, terminate, or cancel CJS scholarship and fellowship funds at any time.
Award Determination, Funding Availability & Continued Eligibility
Award Determination: CJS scholarship awards are not an entitlement and are contingent upon available funding. All scholarship and fellowship decisions, including eligibility, selection, and award amounts, are made by the CJS Scholarship Committee and are final. Appeals or reconsiderations will not be accepted.
Funding Availability: CJS scholarship funds are not an entitlement; awards are contingent upon available funding. CJS reserves the right to modify award amounts, restructure programs, or discontinue scholarship and fellowship offerings at any time without prior notice.
Continued Eligibility: Recipients must maintain satisfactory academic progress and comply with all CJS policies, procedures, and requirements.
General Educational Financing Questions
How do I become eligible for potential educational financing support from Columbia Journalism School?
a. Applicants to any of Columbia Journalism School's master's degree programs must complete the Columbia Journalism Scholarship Application to be considered for scholarship funding from Columbia. The Scholarship Application is separate from the application for admission and has two parts: the Columbia Journalism School Scholarship Aid Supplement and the CSS Profile. All supporting financial documents are uploaded through the Scholarship Aid Supplement, not sent to the College Board (see the questions below for details). Applicants will be notified by email when the Scholarship Aid Supplement opens on October 1, 2026, and will be given instructions on how to complete it.
b. Applicants to the Ph.D. in Communications do not need to complete the Columbia Journalism Scholarship Application (the Scholarship Aid Supplement or the CSS Profile).
What percentage of students receive financial aid?
About 80 percent of our students use some form of financial aid, including grants, loans, or scholarships. Applicants who submit the Columbia Journalism School Scholarship Aid Supplement and all other required documentation are automatically considered for merit- and need-based scholarships. Admission decisions are need-blind.
The Journalism School offers several million dollars annually in fellowships and scholarships to domestic and international students who demonstrate high academic achievement, financial need, and exceptional promise for leading careers in journalism. Our Office of Admission and Financial Aid works with each student to ease the cost of attendance through a combination of scholarships and need-based programs, including grants and federal and private loans.
When will I receive the money from my student loan to cover my living expenses?
Generally, you will receive this money during the first two weeks of the semester. The funds come in the form of a refund, which is based on any credit remaining after the money from your student loan has been applied to tuition, fees, and other university charges. Refunds are processed throughout the year when credit balances appear. The university will issue a refund either by direct deposit or by paper check. Visit Columbia Student Financial Services for more information.
Scholarship Supplement, CSS Profile & FAFSA Questions
What applications are required to apply for scholarship aid?
You must submit the 2027–28 CSS Profile Application, the Columbia Journalism School Scholarship Aid Supplement (to start, click Applicant Hub and begin your Scholarship Aid Supplement for Scholarship 2027), and, if you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
How is scholarship eligibility determined?
a. Merit, as determined by the CJS Admission Committee.
b. Financial need, as determined by the applicant's 2027–28 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA; U.S. citizens and permanent residents only), the Columbia Journalism School Scholarship Aid Supplement, and the CSS Profile Application.
c. Guidelines specified by individual donors.
What is Columbia Journalism School's CSS Profile code?
The CSS Profile code is 2202.
What is Columbia Journalism School's Federal School Code for the FAFSA?
The Federal School Code is 002707.
When can I apply for scholarship aid from Columbia Journalism School?
The 2027–28 CSS Profile Application and the Columbia Journalism School Scholarship Aid Supplement open on October 1, 2026.
What is the application fee?
a. The CSS Profile has a fee, but you can submit it for free. CJS will email you a fee waiver code. Do not submit the CSS Profile until you have received your fee waiver code. If you submit the CSS Profile without the fee waiver code, you will not be reimbursed.
b. There is no fee for the Columbia Journalism School Scholarship Aid Supplement.
What are the application deadlines for the CSS Profile, Columbia Journalism School Scholarship Aid Supplement, and FAFSA?
By December 15, 2026, submit:
- Columbia Journalism School Scholarship Aid Supplement
- 2027–28 CSS Profile
By January 15, 2027, submit:
- 2027–28 FAFSA (for U.S. citizens and permanent residents only)
Do I have to submit both the CSS Profile Application and the Columbia Journalism School Scholarship Aid Supplement to be considered for funding?
Yes, you must submit both applications. If you're a continuing CJS student who received scholarship aid in 2026–27, see the question below about continuing students.
Do I need to provide parental financial information?
a. No. You will not need to submit any parental documents.
b. CSS Profile: Parental financial information is not required. If the CSS Profile asks for it (most likely for international applicants), enter "0" in each of those fields.
Do I need to provide spousal financial information?
No. You will not need to submit any spousal documents.
Which year's tax return do I need to provide?
You will need to provide your 2025 federal tax return. International applicants should provide their 2025 foreign tax return, along with an English translation if it is not in English.
Do I need to provide any additional forms or documents with my CSS Profile application?
No. Do not send any documents to the College Board. Upload all of your supporting financial documents through the Columbia Journalism School Scholarship Aid Supplement.
I'm an international student. Do I need to submit the CSS Profile Application and the Columbia Journalism School Scholarship Aid Supplement?
Yes. Non-U.S. citizens will need to complete both forms to be considered for scholarship aid.
If my financial circumstances change after I submit the CSS Profile, can I update or edit my application?
Once you submit the CSS Profile, you can go back in and change limited information. If your circumstances change significantly, please contact the CJS Office of Admission and Financial Aid at apply.journalism@columbia.edu.
When will I find out whether I will receive scholarship aid?
Scholarship aid decisions will be released the same week as admission decisions.
I am a current CJS student and received CJS scholarship aid in the 2026–27 academic year. Do I need to fill out the CSS Profile?
No, but you need to submit the Columbia Journalism School Scholarship Aid Supplement and, if you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, the 2027–28 FAFSA.
How do I contact a representative at the College Board if I have any questions about completing the CSS Profile?
Chat live or speak by phone with a CSS Profile representative if you have any questions about completing the CSS Profile or have any other customer service needs.
Where can I find more help completing the CSS Profile?
Review the College Board's step-by-step guide and its CSS Profile FAQs.
How do I upload my financial documentation?
Upload all of your financial documents through the Columbia Journalism School Scholarship Aid Supplement. Do not send them to the College Board. If any required document is missing, your application will be incomplete. Documents that are not in English must be submitted in their original language along with an English translation.
What if I have additional educational financing questions?
Questions about educational financing can be directed to the CJS Office of Admission and Financial Aid via email at apply.journalism@columbia.edu, or you can call us at 212-854-8608.
Still have a financing question?
Please email apply.journalism@columbia.edu.