Tuition Programs

Columbia University offers several programs for tuition, both at and outside of the University.

AT COLUMBIA: The Tuition Exemption Benefit Program is offered for both Officers and Support Staff, so that you and your family members may take courses at Columbia.

AT OTHER COLLEGES: College Tuition Scholarships for Officers' children can help offset the costs of college tuition outside Columbia.

AT PRIMARY SCHOOLS: Primary Tuition Scholarships for Officers' children can help offset the costs of primary schools.

Some collective bargaining units offer additional tuition benefits for their members; please see Union Contracts for more information.

Please note the Spring 2013 deadlines for submitting paperwork to the school office, listed on the Student Financial Services website.

Tuition Benefit Programs for Officers Tuition Exemption Benefits for Officers (PDF): The Tuition Exemption Benefit Program covers courses for full-time regular salaried Officers and their eligible dependents at Columbia. Waiting periods may apply. *NEW for Fall 2012:* The Employee Rate of 65% of tuition costs is available to Officers taking courses at Columbia, who are otherwise eligible but either have not met waiting periods or need to take more courses than are covered under Tuition Exemption. For details, read the Appendix: Tuition Exemption Benefit Supplement: Reduced Employee Rate for Officers (PDF). College Tuition Scholarships (CTS) (PDF): For eligible dependent children of full-time regular salaried Officers, a College Tuition Scholarship (CTS) pays 50% of a student’s undergraduate tuition (up to an annually defined limit) for up to eight semesters. Officers hired after July 1, 2011 must meet a 4-year service requirement for eligibility. To receive this benefit, Officers must submit the application paperwork each term. Primary Tuition Scholarships (PTS) (PDF): For eligible full-time regular salaried Officers, the Primary Tuition Scholarship (PTS) program pays between 10% and 35% of your child’s tuition in grades K–8 at a private school within the five boroughs of New York City, depending on eligible family income. Note: To ensure you can download the latest version of our PDF files,please clear your browser's cache before downloading.	Tuition Exemption Benefits for Support Staff The Tuition Exemption Benefit Program pays tuition costs, depending on your eligibility, for undergraduate and graduate courses at Columbia University, Barnard College, and Teachers College. Note that this is not a reimbursement or remission program; your tuition is simply exempted. However, you are responsible for course fees, textbooks and residence fees, where applicable.	Job-Related Graduate Course Certification Instructions, eligibility information, IRS regulations and Frequently Asked Questions regarding the Job-Related Graduate Course Certification.

The HR/Benefits website is intended only to provide information for the guidance of Columbia University Officers, staff and union employees. The writers of the content have exercised their best efforts to ensure accuracy of the information, but accuracy is not guaranteed. If there are any discrepancies between the information on the website, verbal representations and the Plan documents, the Plan documents will always govern. The information is subject to change from time to time, and the University reserves the right to change or terminate these Plans at any time. The information contained on the website is not intended to replace the plan documents, nor is the information in any way intended to imply a contract.