Spotlight on Columbia engineering

Ready to learn everything you need to know about engineering and STEM masters degrees at Columbia University’s Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science? You're in the right place!

New York, New York - the location of Columbia certainly is one that’s founded on and continues to inspire dreams. The big city may be a little intimidating at first, but Columbia University goes out of its way to ensure students, especially masters of engineering students can find their feet quickly.

Want to know what it's really like for international students at Columbia? See what Jaydeep has to say in this video.

Campus housing is available, though you need to accept your spot and pay your deposit before you can begin the housing application process. As this is one of the most cost-effective forms of housing in New York, it’s definitely worth considering first.

Additionally, the university does provide support to students hoping to find an apartment off-campus. The housing market in New York is, however, competitive and expensive and you’ll need to put plenty of effort into your search. International students do have the added advantage of a potential spot at the independent international house in the city.

The dining plans are a win with many graduate international students whether they live off campus or on. There are a couple of plan options, and plenty of places around campus to use them. Columbia University meal plans are cost-effective, even when students plan to cook for themselves as often as possible.

Cars are more of a hassle than a benefit in New York City and parking is difficult to come by at the best of times. Public transport, walking, and sometimes bicycles are the easiest way to get from point A to point B. Columbia operates campus shuttles to move students around and these join the greater Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) routes to make it easy for students to get around town. 

Columbia University does offer need-based fellowships across all of their schools, though accepted students will need to speak to a financial aid advisor in the engineering department to ensure they’re considered for this funding.

You may also be eligible for departmental (engineering) aid packages which don’t require any additional application steps as long as you mark your intentions with your application.

All prospective students should spend time perusing external scholarship opportunities and which Columbia provides information for on their financial aid pages.

Of course, just because need-based and merit-based funding is available, it does not mean that any one student is entitled to specific funds; you’ll want to start the application and financial aid processes as early as possible. And, keep in mind that many students still require loans on top of any fellowships and scholarships they may receive. 

Prodigy Finance offers loans for international masters students at the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science at Columbia University. 

Students from supported countries pursuing masters programmes that can be completed in less than 2 years are eligible to apply.

• Maximum loan amount: up to 100% of the school-provided cost of attendance (tuition plus living expenses)
  
• Minimum loan amount: $15,000
  
• Typical interest rates: 7 - 8% (fixed) over the 3-month US Libor base rate (variable)
  
• All loans disbursed directly to the university according to due dates
  

Prodigy Finance also supports loans for Columbia University students pursuing masters degrees in these schools:

• Columbia Business School
  
• Columbia Law School
  
• Columbia School of International and Public Affairs
  
• Department of Mathematics
  
• School of Professional Studies