The TuitionPay Payment Plan, administered by Sallie Mae, enables students and their families to pay tuition and fees billed through the University over several months, rather than in one payment.  The payment plan is not a loan.  While there is an application fee, there are no interest charges or credit checks. 

For more information, read on… (more…)

To All SoA Students Who are Receiving Federal and/or Private Financial Aid:

This Friday, May 11 is the last day to request a Budget Increase to cover summer educational expenses.   Please note that Budget Increases can only be requested to cover the cost of EDUCATIONAL expenses  incurred over the summer months (film projects, head shots, project travel, etc.).  Because the School of the Arts does not have a summer session, summer personal expenses (rent, medical expenses, etc.) cannot be covered under requests for summer Budget Increases.

Reminder:  You are not required to file a budget increase and we discourage you from doing so if you can avoid it.  

For information regarding summer funding, click here. 

For information regarding Budget Increase (as in "What is a Budget Increase?"), click here.

As a reminder to students regarding potential Summer funding, I’m reposting this entry that was originally posted on March 1.

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A forward-thinking student recently e-mailed me the following question:

"I have some questions for you regarding the summer. how do most students afford the summer? i assume most get jobs which i am actively seeking – but i wonder if there is a back-up plan? is there loan money available?...I am trying to be proactive and get organized ahead of time…and i just am still trying to familiarize myself with NYC and Columbia and all the possibilities for income or funding available…I’m looking into all of my options (whether i use them or not)."

First of all, congratulations.  You are taking an important first step by thinking about these things well in advance.  These are obviously important questions, so in order to help clarify options for summer funding, I’ve created the following FAQ list.  Enjoy! (more…)

Spring Break Hours and Closures for the SoA, March 12 through March 16, 2007:

• Dodge Hall:  Open during regular business hours, M-F 10am – 5pm. Swipe access only at all other times.
• SoA Dean’s Office:  Open during regular business hours,  M-F 9am-5pm
• All Division Administrative Offices: Open during regular business hours,  M-F 9am-5pm 
  
• Film Division Equipment Room:  Closed.  They will open for regular hours on Monday March 19th Monday-Thursday 9:30am & Friday 10am-4pm.  For more information visit the Film Equipment Room web site at: http://arts.columbia.edu/eroom.
• LeRoy Neiman Gallery:  Open during regular business hours, M-F 10am – 5pm.
• Blue Java Coffee Bar:  Closed beginning Thursday, March 8 at 7pm.  Reopening on Moday, March 19 at 8am.
  

All other campus offices (Health Services, Student Financial Planning, etc.) will be open during regular business hours.

This Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) list is designed to help SoA students make the transition from coursework into what we call “Research Arts” status. (more…)

If you are currently "maxed out" on your financial aid budget, there may be ways to increase the amount you are eligible to borrow (Common sense caution: Not to sound parental, but I should remind you to be extremely diligent in monitoring much debt you’re accruing and take whatever steps you can to minimize it). Budget increases should be considered only in cases of genuine, pressing need.

That said, there are two basic types of budget increases and each has their own set of steps required in order to make you eligible to receive more in the way of financial aid: (more…)

Ahhhhh.Winter. Ice Skating. The absence of holiday crowds. American Idol auditions. The Colts. Prince at halftime with a full marching band. Restaurants & bars with roaring fires. Sigh.

What better time to remind you to file your FAFSA?
(Doh! Such a buzzkill, I know, however…)

If you (a) are a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident and (b) want to be considered for federal aid next year, you must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to qualify for ANY federal and/or private loans, as well as federal work-study allocations for the upcoming 2007-2008 academic year. (more…)