Columbia University Scholarships for International Students 2027
Columbia University is linked to scholarships that can reduce costs in meaningful ways. Here are a few strong options prioritized by funding level.
On the institution side, Columbia University is connected to scholarships that can reduce tuition and sometimes extend to other study costs. These are practical starting points. Need-Based Financial Aid is commonly categorized as fully funded support, and coverage that often includes 100% of the students' demonstrated financial need. With Lemann Fellowship, students may receive full tuition support, and coverage frequently includes full tuition and partial living costs. Graduate Assistantships is a partially funded award, and the listed benefits often include tuition fees, $18 per hour for course assistantships, and $3,712 to $4,950 per semester for teaching assistantships. Abby O’Neill Fellowship is usually considered partially funded, and typical coverage can include a $48,000 tuition fee deduction.
Beyond campus funding, Columbia University applicants often explore outside opportunities including government backed and independent programs. These are common starting points. Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program is usually considered fully funded, and typical coverage can include Round-trip economy airfare between your home country and the host university at the beginning and end of your studies and plus a $600 travel allowance per trip, full tuition for your graduate program and basic medical insurance provided by the university, and a monthly stipend for living expenses, including accommodation, food, and books. The amount varies based on the host country. A strong option is Fulbright Foreign Student Program which is fully funded and often covers roundtrip transportation from the country of origin to the US, monthly living stipend, and tuition fees. AAUW’s International Fellowship is partially funded, and coverage often includes $20,000 for Master's and first professional degree recipients, $25,000 for doctoral students, and $50,000 for postdoctoral students.
For the complete set of linked scholarships including additional options and details, continue below on this page.
Columbia University Scholarships for International Students
The scholarships at Columbia University can help fund your study expenses. There are currently 8 scholarships being offered to international students at the Columbia University, all with varying requirements, benefits, and application processes. We have compiled them in this list to help you find the scholarship that best fits you.
Undergraduate Scholarships
Graduate Scholarships
External Scholarships
There are many degrees that are open to international students right now — find yours.
Columbia University Admissions
Here are the official admission pages for Columbia University:
| Degree | Admissions Pages |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's | International Students Admissions Page |
| Master's | International Students Admissions Page |
Admissions and Scholarship Results at Columbia University
Here are some of the admissions and scholarship results from previous applicants to Columbia University, which you might find helpful. For more results to Columbia University, please see the Columbia University Admissions Profile Page .
| Nationality / Region | SAT/ACT | EFC | GPA | Scholarship | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | N/A | N/A | 3.5/4 | N/A | Accepted |
| Mexico | N/A | N/A | 93/100 | N/A | Rejected |
| Europe | 1500 | N/A | N/A | N/A | Rejected |
| Pakistan | 1320 | N/A | N/A | N/A | Rejected |
| China | 1590 | N/A | 3.9 | N/A | Rejected |
Columbia University Application Deadlines
| Degree | Admission Deadline |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's (Early Decision) | November 1, 2026 |
| Bachelor's (Regular Decision) | January 1, 2027 |
Tuition Fees at Columbia University for International Students
Indicative annual tuition fee ranges for international students at Columbia University. Exact fees vary by program, so always confirm the current cost on the university's official tuition fee pages.
| Degree Level | Typical Annual Range |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Tuition | 70,170 USD |
| Master's Tuition | 25,572 – 60,764 USD |
Please note that tuition fees can vary based on the specific program you choose. For the most accurate and current fee information, consult the official tuition fee pages linked above.
Columbia University Scholarship Recipients
International students who received scholarships to study at Columbia University, documented by Global Scholarships.
Scholarship Recipient Insights at Columbia University
11 degree-study stories describe Columbia University.
Featured Recipients
| Nationalities | Stories per nationality |
|---|---|
| Pakistani | 6 each |
| Chinese, Colombian, Indian, Italian, Mongolian | 1 each |
Degrees Represented
| Degree level | Stories | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Master's | 11 | Public Administration; Electrical Engineering; International Educational Development; International and Comparative Education; Education; International Affairs; Development Practice; Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences; Nonprofit Management |
Funding Routes Used
| Funding route | Stories | Recipients |
|---|---|---|
| Fulbright Scholarship | 8 | Zohha Sheikh, Zain Hussain, Ushna, Indra Amarjargal, Furwa Baig, Usama Javed Mirza, Ifrah Maskan, Federica Pennino |
| Joint Japan/World Bank Scholarship | 1 | Swathi Pottabathini |
| AAUW International Fellowship and P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship | 1 | Ángela Sánchez |
| Columbia University School of Professional Studies Fellowship Award | 1 | Alanna (Yuyang) Lu |
Funding Coverage Reported by Recipients
| Recipient and degree/program | Reported coverage |
|---|---|
| Zohha Sheikh — Master's in Public Administration | Fulbright Scholarship covered the two-year program: full tuition, living expenses, health insurance, airfare and other necessary costs. She also received a $100,000 internal Columbia University award across two years. |
| Zain Hussain — Master's in Electrical Engineering, Smart Electric Energy | Fulbright Scholarship paid tuition, round-trip airfare, health insurance and a monthly stipend. His Electrical Engineering Tesla Scholarship amount was paid directly to IIE. |
| Ushna — Master's in International Educational Development, Teachers College | Fulbright Scholarship covered tuition, living expenses, insurance and travel; she also received a $44,000 Teachers College award. |
| Furwa Baig — Master's in Public Administration; began 2013 | Fulbright Scholarship, 2013–2015, covered tuition, living expenses, insurance and travel. A Columbia University Tuition Grant added $10,000 per year. |
| Ifrah Maskan — Master's in International Affairs | Fulbright Scholarship for 2023–2025 covered tuition, stipend, books, travel and a settlement allowance. A SIPA merit award covered approximately 80% of tuition, reducing the tuition balance paid by Fulbright. |
| Federica Pennino — Master's in Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences, Economics concentration | Her Fulbright Graduate Study Self-Placed award provided approximately $50,000 toward tuition and living expenses. |
| Swathi Pottabathini — Master's in Public Administration–Development Practice; completed May 2025 | Joint Japan/World Bank Scholarship covered full tuition, a monthly stipend, round-trip airfare, insurance and a travel allowance. She valued the package at approximately $215,000 for her program. |
| Ángela Sánchez — Master of Education in International and Comparative Education; 2022–2024 | Second-year support included $20,000 from AAUW International Fellowship and $12,000 from P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship. Teachers College awards included $12,000, $11,270, $5,911 and $3,940; a Colfuturo scholarship-loan provided $50,000. |
| Alanna (Yuyang) Lu — Master's in Nonprofit Management | A School of Professional Studies Fellowship Award provided $7,500 with her admission offer. |
Examples of Featured Recipients’ Application Backgrounds
| Recipient and degree/program | Scholarship/application route | Reported background and preparation |
|---|---|---|
| Zohha Sheikh — Master's in Public Administration | Fulbright Scholarship | Management Science BSc (Hons), distinction and CGPA 3.80; workforce-policy consulting and gender-equity work at Careem. Connected field experience to public-policy and data goals. |
| Zain Hussain — Master's in Electrical Engineering | Fulbright Scholarship | Electrical Engineering BSc at Habib University, CGPA 3.54; final-year work became conference and journal papers. Won Fulbright on his second attempt. |
| Ushna — Master's in International Educational Development | Fulbright Scholarship | Economics and Political Science undergraduate degree, CGPA 3.92; three years across Teach For Pakistan, the Federal Ministry of Education and UNDP Pakistan. |
| Indra Amarjargal — Master's in International Educational Development | Fulbright Foreign Student Program | Journalism BA, GPA 3.1; four years teaching in private and public schools informed her focus on teacher-workforce issues. |
| Ángela Sánchez — Master of Education in International and Comparative Education; 2022–2024 | Teachers College admission and external awards | Law degree and a Public International Law LL.M.; more than 13 years in human-rights work. Linked legal experience to peace and human-rights education. |
| Swathi Pottabathini — Master's in Public Administration–Development Practice | Joint Japan/World Bank Scholarship | Computer Engineering training and the Young India Fellowship; over five years in nonprofits, social enterprises and government consulting. Tailored essays and selected recommenders who knew her work. |
| Federica Pennino — Master's in Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences | Fulbright Graduate Study Self-Placed award | Economics and Finance BSc at Bocconi University, 106/110; professor feedback and peer essay review supported preparation. |
| Alanna (Yuyang) Lu — Master's in Nonprofit Management | School of Professional Studies Fellowship Award | International Relations undergraduate degree at University of British Columbia; founded Culture Multiplier and held student-club leadership roles. |
How Recipients Met Language Requirements
| Language requirement route | Stories / total degree-study stories | Recipients and examples |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL taken for the application | 4/11 | Zohha Sheikh — Master's in Public Administration — 117, after Fulbright selection; Zain Hussain — Master's in Electrical Engineering — 119/120; Furwa Baig — Master's in Public Administration — TOEFL preparation and testing described; Ifrah Maskan — Master's in International Affairs — taken after Fulbright selection |
| IELTS taken for the application | 2/11 | Ángela Sánchez — Master of Education in International and Comparative Education — 7.0 after two attempts in two months; Swathi Pottabathini — Master's in Public Administration–Development Practice — approximately one month of preparation |
Standardized Tests Reported by Featured Recipients
| Test | Stories reporting the test / total degree-study stories | Linked recipients and reported scores |
|---|---|---|
| GRE for university or associated funding applications | 4/11 | Zain Hussain — 323: verbal 163, mathematics 160, writing 4.5; August 2020; Furwa Baig; Ifrah Maskan — for Fulbright, while SIPA requested a quantitative CV; Federica Pennino |
| GMAT | 1/11 | Federica Pennino |
Application Timelines Reported by Recipients
| Recipient and degree/program | Application or scholarship route | Reported application timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Indra Amarjargal — Master's in International Educational Development | Fulbright Foreign Student Program | Prepared over a year → submitted five minutes before the deadline → selected in 2022 → screening and interview led to university placement and visa logistics. |
| Ángela Sánchez — Master of Education in International and Comparative Education; 2022–2024 | Teachers College and external scholarships | Researched programs four months before applying; prepared for IELTS about two months beforehand and took it twice in two months. Began funding research almost a year before scholarship applications. |
| Zain Hussain — Master's in Electrical Engineering | Fulbright Scholarship | Took GRE in August 2020 → first Fulbright attempt unsuccessful → reapplied in the next cycle and won the scholarship. |
Academic and University Experiences
| Recipient and degree/program | Reported experience |
|---|---|
| Furwa Baig — Master's in Public Administration | Cross-school electives, a year-long consulting course at the Center for Public Research and Leadership, and a capstone with Fundación Corona in Colombia. Consulting projects sometimes required weekend work. |
| Indra Amarjargal — Master's in International Educational Development | Researched secondary teacher-workforce issues with an advisor familiar with Mongolia; electives also allowed painting and figure drawing. Described housing arrangements as an additional planning burden. |
| Federica Pennino — Master's in Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences | Term projects and research assistantships strengthened quantitative and applied-research skills, with accessible professors and program leadership. |
| Alanna (Yuyang) Lu — Master's in Nonprofit Management | Experienced classmates contributed professional insights, but the short program limited deeper connections. She found job hunting difficult as an international student in a non-STEM program. |
| Ifrah Maskan — Master's in International Affairs | Cross-school coursework and UN internships added practical exposure. She reported a more tense campus environment after October 2023 and dissatisfaction with administrative responses to detentions and doxxing. |
Interview Experiences
| Recipient and degree/program | Reported interview experience |
|---|---|
| Zain Hussain — Master's in Electrical Engineering | Columbia University asked general questions about academic integrity and sexual harassment in the student body. |
| Indra Amarjargal — Master's in International Educational Development | Fulbright interviewers questioned her motivations and long-term goals. |
| Ifrah Maskan — Master's in International Affairs | An earlier Fulbright interview went poorly when she focused narrowly on direct answers; her successful third attempt emphasized professional goals and cultural exchange. |
What Recipients Pursued After Studying at Columbia University
| Recipient | Degree/program at Columbia University | Reported outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Zain Hussain | Master's in Electrical Engineering | Returned to Pakistan after completing the degree. |
| Indra Amarjargal | Master's in International Educational Development | Returned to Ulaanbaatar and worked on a grant project coordinated by American Councils for International Education with U.S. Embassy support. |
| Furwa Baig | Master's in Public Administration | Reported leading development-sector initiatives in education, social impact and corporate philanthropy. |
| Usama Javed Mirza | Master's in Education, Teachers College; completed 2017 | Founded Saving 9 in 2017; subsequently pursued a Gates Cambridge-funded PhD at University of Cambridge on decolonising science education. |
| Swathi Pottabathini | Master's in Public Administration–Development Practice; completed May 2025 | Reported working for an upcoming impact fund in the United States. |
| Federica Pennino | Master's in Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences | Working as a research assistant at Columbia University and planning to begin a PhD in the fall. |
| Alanna (Yuyang) Lu | Master's in Nonprofit Management | Returned to China, then secured a UN internship in New York within two months. |
Other Offers in Featured Applicants’ Journeys
| Recipient | Reported alternative | Decision described in the story |
|---|---|---|
| Zohha Sheikh | University of Nottingham: Developing Solutions and Nottingham Business School Dean’s awards together covering full tuition; admissions from University of Chicago, Georgetown University and Rutgers University. | Withdrew from Nottingham days before departure after winning Fulbright; Fulbright selected Columbia University. |
| Indra Amarjargal | University of Pennsylvania admission. | Fulbright recommended Teachers College for its stronger financial-aid offer and fit with her academic interests. |
| Furwa Baig | Admissions from University of Chicago, Georgetown University and University of Maryland. | Selected Columbia University; described its degree fit and New York location positively. |
| Ifrah Maskan | George Washington University admission. | Columbia University was her top choice; Fulbright supported enrollment after its generous scholarship offer. |
| Swathi Pottabathini | University of Chicago MPP and University of California, Berkeley MDP admissions; 30–50% internal departmental scholarships. | Pursued Columbia University’s MPA-DP with Joint Japan/World Bank Scholarship. |
Applicants Who Chose Another University
| Applicant and intended degree/program | Offer from Columbia University | University/program chosen | Reason described in the story |
|---|---|---|---|
| Savera Shah — Master's applicant in business/policy analytics | Admission offer. | The George Washington University — Master’s in Business Analytics, with Fulbright Scholarship. | Fulbright Placement Committee matched her with The George Washington University. She described a desire to apply analytics to public-policy problems. |
What Recipients Would Prepare Earlier
Federica Pennino would begin program and scholarship research during the second year of her bachelor’s degree and build professor relationships earlier. Alanna (Yuyang) Lu would gain work experience before a master’s degree to clarify her specialization. Ushna would start sooner after completing her application in only two to three weeks.
What Scholarship Recipients Say
Advice and insights from international students who successfully secured funding to study at Columbia University.
"the U.S. Fulbright Scholarship, which supports my entire two-year master’s program, covering full tuition, health insurance, living expenses, airfare, and other necessary costs."
"If you’re even thinking about applying, start. Don’t talk yourself out of it. You don’t need to be from a particular background"
"I recently returned home after completing my Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Columbia University, on the Fulbright Scholarship."
"My experience at Teachers College, Columbia University was deeply meaningful, both academically and personally."
"Studying at Teachers College, Columbia University was an extraordinary experience. The institution provided a robust support system for international students, starting with a well-structured orientation."
"I have studied physics, philosophy, prehospital care, education theory and practice, and have had a decade of experience in teaching, school leadership, education policy making."
There are many degrees that are open to international students right now — find yours.
About the Author: Hyun Lee
hi, Hyun. please i have applied for admission for my MS in human nutrition at the university of Columbia. can you get me any scholarship opportunity that i can apply for? even if they are external and fully funded
You might want to try out Fulbright Scholarships? I do think it’s too late though if you’ve already applied.
Hi Hyun, I am Angella from Uganda and I have applied regular decision to Columbia University. Please kindly help me to apply for external scholarships.
Hello, I’m assuming you have applied to undergraduate admissions since you’ve mentioned “regular decision.” Have you applied for financial aid at Columbia University? If so, Columbia University do meet 100% of the demonstrated need if you get accepted, so there’s no need to apply for external scholarships.
Hi Hyun, I am Hamid Iqbal from Pakistan and I have applied regular decision to Columbia University. Please kindly help me to apply for external scholarships
Hello, if you’ve applied for Columbia need-based aid, your demonstrated need should be fully covered, so there’s no need financially to apply for external aid.