Private Loan

For information on alternative education loans, please visit: www.columbia.edu/cu/sfs/docs/Grad_Fin_Aid/Private_Loans/index.html.

Loan Repayment

Repayment is an important part of your student loan process. Failure to keep in touch with your lender or to answer requests for information, as well as failure to make timely loan payments, can result in a default judgment against you. This is a very serious matter, as it affects your credit rating and your ability to borrow in the future. If you are having difficulty making your loan payments, contact your lender at once. Often the lender will renegotiate payment amounts. Even after you complete your studies here, you may contact Student Financial Services for help in dealing with your lender in a potential default situation.

Social Security Number Reporting

To comply with current and anticipated Internal Revenue Service mandates, Columbia University requires students who will be receiving financial aid or payment through the University payroll system to report their Social Security number at the time of admission. Newly admitted students who are eligible but do not have a Social Security number should obtain one well in advance of their first registration.