Columbia University Home
Columbia Directory
Contact Us HRPC Inquiry Form Give Feedback Site Map Search HR
  • left portrait
  • office
  • right portrait
  • logo_benefits.gif
Home > Benefits > Tuition Programs

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.

Tuition Exemption Benefits for Regular Full-Time Officers

The Tuition Exemption Benefit Program pays tuition costs, depending on your eligibility, for Officers' 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. 

An eligible Officer's spouse or same-sex domestic partner and dependent children may also be eligible for Tuition Exemption. (If an Officer's child is registered as an undergraduate at an institution other than Columbia or Barnard College, he or she may be eligible for a College Tuition Scholarship (CTS). For full details, please consult the College Tuition Scholarship Program policy.) 

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.

Primary Tuition Scholarships (PTS)

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

College Tuition Scholarships (CTS)

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.

 

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.