Funding Options

The Mailman School offers students and families a single, simple approach to meeting the cost of attendance. The plan is a combination of federal, institutional, and private sources of funds that provide options for part-time, full-time, and international students and families. For information on outside sources of funding please, visit the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health.

For a comprehensive database of extra funding resources along with curated scholarships for graduate students in the public health field that can help minimize the cost of your degree, please click here.

*Please refer to our website or sfs.columbia.edu for information on HEAL Federal loan programs available at The Mailman School of Public Health. 

The following types of assistance may be available to students:

Student Loans

Columbia University students have a wide range of financial assistance options from federal, state, institutional, and private sources. The rates for both the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan and the Federal Direct Graduate Plus Loan for 2024-2025 are 8.08% and 9.08% respectively. The Department of Education determines new annual rates after July 1st of the new fiscal year. To learn more about obtaining a loan, including a detailed description of each of these funding sources, please see the University's overview on Graduate Financial Aid.

Students applying for the Graduate Plus Loan should login to complete the required forms and manage their accounts.

Scholarships, Fellowships, and Grants

Scholarships, fellowships, and grants are awarded based on need or merit. Amounts and availability vary by school. See full list.

Student Employment Opportunities

Mailman School students can access school-related employment through one or more of the following:

  1. Work-Study: Students certified by the Financial Aid Office as eligible for federally funded work-study can choose from a variety of part-time employment positions. Jobs are available in many offices throughout the University. Learn more.
  2. Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA): Departments offer these positions, in which students gain valuable experience working part-time on faculty-run research projects and receive a stipend and/or tuition assistance, on a limited basis. These positions are not available to first year Master's students.
  3. Teaching Assistantship (TA): Some departments have limited teaching assistantship positions available to students with substantial preparation in their area of study. TAs provide part-time assistance to faculty members in instruction, grading, and course administration, and receive a stipend and/or tuition assistance. These positions are specifically offered to Doctoral students and second year Master's students. 

Institutional and Supplemental Aid

Learn about additional funding options outside the University.

Note: Almost every state has at least one grant or scholarship available to residents, and many have a long list of student aid programs. Eligibility is usually restricted to state residents attending a college in-state. Learn more.

International Students

Explore funding options for international students.

Stipends

Learn more about stipends for domestic and international students.

Contact

All financial aid staff are currently working via a hybrid schedule throughout the summer and upcoming academic year. Please email sphfinaid@cumc.columbia for any questions or concerns. To schedule an appointment, please click here.