Columbia Climate School Tuition & Financial Aid

Tuition

Tuition and fee rates for 2025-2026 will not be released until the beginning of July. Each year tuition and fees generally increase by 2-3%. Please note, tuition and fees are estimates pending Columbia University Board of Trustee approval in June 2025.

 

MS in Climate (Four Semester Program) Academic Year 2025-26: Anticipated Cost of Attendance

MS in Climate Finance (Three Semester Program) Academic Year 2025-26: Anticipated Cost of Attendance

MA in Climate and Society (Three Semester Program) Academic Year 2025-26: Anticipated Cost of Attendance

See tuition and fees for the MA in Climate and Society program 2024-2025 academic year on the program’s Tuition and Fees page.

Financial Aid Overview

At Columbia Climate School, we are committed to making our educational programs accessible to students from diverse backgrounds. We offer a range of financial aid options to support you in your pursuit of our graduate degrees.

The Columbia University Office of Student Financial Services works with the Columbia Climate School’s Office of Admissions to provide student support including Federal Loan processing and information on the Estimated Cost of Attendance and Types of Aid.

We provide various merit-based scholarships to help reduce the cost of your education. Scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence, leadership, and commitment to climate action.

Please note, students enrolled in the part-time MA in Climate and Society program do not qualify for the merit-based scholarships.

The Stanley Park Climate Finance Scholarships aim to develop a new generation of professionals who can drive climate action through finance. With the urgent need to scale up climate investments to meet Paris Agreement targets, there is a demand for experts who can design innovative climate finance solutions, particularly in emerging and developing economies. This scholarship fully covers tuition for three students enrolling in the inaugural MS in Climate Finance program, with preference given to those with financial need who are not supported by their workplaces. Ideal candidates will demonstrate a commitment to addressing barriers in global climate finance and have a strong academic record aligned with Columbia Climate School’s mission. Applications are due by April 1, 2025, for admission, and scholarship applicants must submit a 500-word statement of interest by April 7, 2025. Learn More

The Dean’s Graduate Scholarship for the MS in Climate program is a prestigious award recognizing exceptional academic achievement and impactful experience in the field. Valued at $50,000, these scholarships aim to support students who will contribute meaningfully to the Climate School learning community and advance the program’s mission. All applicants who submit their materials by the January 15th deadline will be automatically considered for these distinguished awards.

How to Apply

To be considered for the Dean’s Graduate Scholarship, you must:

  • Submit the MS in Climate application for admission by the January 15th Priority Deadline
  • Apply for admissions as a full-time student

Columbia Climate School is offering an exciting opportunity for recent CUNY graduates who are applying to Columbia Climate School's graduate degree programs. This initiative is designed to equip graduates with the academic and professional skills needed to navigate their respective industries, while empowering them to become innovative problem solvers on the local, state, and global levels.

The award provides up to three scholarships of up to $50,000 each, available to CUNY graduates who have earned a bachelor’s degree from one of the CUNY colleges within the last five years. This opportunity aims to foster a collaborative cohort of students who are not only dedicated to academic excellence, but are also passionate about tackling the challenges of climate change. The initiative invites individuals who are motivated to contribute to both community engagement and sustainability efforts, with a strong connection to New York City.

By joining this program, students will have the chance to develop the leadership and technical expertise necessary to be at the forefront of climate action, empowering them to drive meaningful change in their careers and communities.

Students interested in federal financial aid (loans and/or work study) should submit the 2025-2026 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) beginning on December 1, 2024. Use the FAFSA code for Columbia University: 002707. Please note that although there is no official deadline for the FAFSA, federal award eligibility may take up to ten business days from the receipt of your FAFSA, and completion of all outstanding required documents, to be processed. Applicants should plan accordingly if they wish to receive notice of federal funding by April 1st.

For more information about federal financial aid, visit Columbia's Student Financial Services page. Additional information for veterans and service members can be found on the Student Financial Services Veterans and Service Members page.

Many graduate students are interested in part-time on-campus work to earn extra money, gain relevant skills and experience, or some combination of those factors. At Columbia, there is no centralized resource for finding on-campus employment. If you are interested in finding a part-time job as a teaching or research assistant or in other hourly roles, we suggest using the following resources. Below, find links to job boards and offices that have hired students in the past, as well as suggestions of how to be proactive in your search for an on-campus job. 

There are two types of on-campus jobs: 

Federal Work-Study jobs are only available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents who have a financial aid work-study allocation. If you are unsure about your eligibility for work-study, contact the Office of Financial Aid.

Casual On-Campus jobs are open to any Columbia student, regardless of financial aid package or citizenship. International students should check with the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) to learn about rules and restrictions around on-campus employment. Doctoral students should note the limitations on the number of hours they are permitted to work.

To find casual on-campus employment use the following resources:

For Teaching and Research Assistant Roles:

  • Watch your inbox during the first few weeks of each term for emails from your department and various offices around campus with opportunities.
  • Ask your department administrator if they are aware of any opportunities either with faculty in your department or in other offices.
  • Contact faculty directly with whom you would be interested in working as a research assistant. In your email, introduce yourself and your research interests, and ask if they might have any need for a research assistant. Keep your email brief and to the point.

Contact research centers across Columbia to see if they need assistance or hire student researchers. See a list of research centers at the University.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill makes available educational and housing benefits for active-duty veterans who served on or after September 11, 2001. Payments are made direct to the school for tuition and fees; payments for housing, books and supplies, and any qualifying rural relocation allowances are paid direct to the student.

Veterans Affairs awards this benefit in accordance with how much time was served on active duty plus certain other factors. The benefit is also time-based, meaning students receive funding for up to a maximum of 48 months once the benefit begins. However, most applicants receive around 36 months of benefits.

Students eligible for 100% of the Post 9/11 GI Bill® are eligible to participate in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Yellow Ribbon Program. Columbia Climate School provides a grant to help supplement the remaining tuition balance for eligible Yellow Ribbon program veterans and the VA will match this grant. Learn more about veterans' education benefits and the Yellow Ribbon Program at Columbia University.

While student loans may be used to mitigate educational expenses, they are, nevertheless, loans that must be repaid after graduation or after you cease to be enrolled half­time in a degree­-granting program. For this reason, we strongly urge you to be as prudent as possible when borrowing and to fully understand the terms and conditions of any loan that you may borrow.

  • Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans - Eligible students do not need to demonstrate financial need and can receive up to $20,500 for the academic year. Interest is charged from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full. Students have the option of paying this interest while in school or capitalizing the interest.
  • Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans - Students with a good credit history may be eligible for PLUS loans that assist in meeting the cost of attendance. Interest is charged from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full. Students have the option of paying this interest while in school or capitalizing the interest.
  • Private Student Loans - Private student loans, also known as alternative education loans, are another option for students. Prospective and current students should research all borrowing options, including options available in your home country and/or country-of-residence. It is important to note that private student loans are offered by private lenders and not the U.S. federal government.

Students interested in additional loan funding, such as the Graduate Plus Loan should consult the Student Financial Services’ Graduate Financial Aid website in order to obtain information about private loan eligibility, borrowing limits, interest rates, fees, and disbursement.

Free Databases

These databases are maintained by other institutions but are publicly searchable.

Subscription-Based Databases

Columbia students have access to these funding-opportunity databases through subscriptions from the University.

Other Resources

Collaborative Research Grant 

The Collaborative Research Grant provides an opportunity for undergraduate and master’s students from the Climate School and partner programs to undertake paid research alongside renowned Columbia University faculty. This unique program is student driven, allowing students to select and pursue a topic they are passionate about, while receiving guidance from a leading member of the scientific community during fall and spring semesters. Learn more on our Student Opportunities page.

Travel Grant Program 

Through the travel grant program, the Climate School allocates funding to support travel by students matriculated in its own and partner degree programs who are engaged in research projects related to climate change, sustainable development, or the environment. This travel can be domestic or international and is for projects directly related to a student’s degree program at Columbia University. Students can apply as individuals or as small groups. This funding may not be used to support travel for symposia/conference attendance. Learn more on our Student Opportunities page.

Sponsored Students 

When an unrelated third party pays for a student's education at Columbia University, this is called sponsorship. The following are examples of different types of sponsors:

  • Employers
  • Educational institutions
  • Government agencies
  • Foundations
  • Grant providers
  • Other institution-based sources

See additional information on how to initiate third-party billing procedures.

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Questions?

Explore our FAQs. Columbia Climate School Office of Admissions is also here to answer any questions you may have about our programs or application process. Email us at [email protected] or schedule an appointment.