Columbia Central

How to Apply for Aid

Your starting point for applying for any type of financial aid: the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly known as the FAFSA. You can submit the FAFSA as early as October 1 for the following academic year. For more information, visit studentaid.gov. 

The FAFSA collects information about you as the student, as well as parents of dependent students, regarding income, number of family members in the household, and the number of family members in college. Columbia uses the result of the FAFSA to determine the amount of assistance provided to you for your education. 

• Prospective and Admitted

  Columbia offers three categories of scholarships to incoming students: Merit-based, need-based, and talent-based. In addition, Columbia will inform all eligible students of the federal and state grants, loans, and work study funds that may be available to them and their families.

  All admitted students are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships. If you've been admitted to the college, there's nothing additional you need to do.

  To apply for need-based scholarships, all you need to do is complete the FAFSA using Columbia's code 001665. After you're admitted to the school, Columbia will provide both a printed and an electronic version of your Financial Aid Award Letter. This award letter will detail your estimated cost of attendance, along with any Columbia scholarships, and any eligibility for federal and state grants, loans, and work study.

  To apply for talent-based scholarships, submit a portfolio of your best creative work. Portfolio requirements and deadlines will vary based on your intended major. Columbia will automatically revise the electronic version of the award letter for students who receive talent-based scholarships.

  Undocumented students who meet Illinois residency criteria are also encouraged to apply for the State of Illinois MAP Grant by completing the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid. This application can also be completed by transgender students who have been denied federal financial aid.

  For additional scholarship information, visit our external scholarships page.

• Current

  You must submit a FAFSA every year to be considered for need-based financial aid. 

  If you are selected to complete the Verification Process, you will need to do so in order to receive your Financial Aid Award Letter. Your Award Letter will sent to you 7-10 days after you are notified that you have completed the Verification Process. You can also find your Award Letter by logging into your MyColumbia portal.

  Undocumented students who meet Illinois residency criteria are also encouraged to apply for the MAP Grant by completing the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid. This application can also be completed by transgender students who have been denied federal financial aid.

  For additional scholarship information, visit our external scholarships page.