Resources For Columbia Student Veterans

Many of Columbia’s schools and programs are participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program, an initiative authorized by the Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 (the Post-9/11 GI Bill), in which educational institutions provide eligible student veterans with a tuition waiver or grant matched by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. This program supplements the base educational benefits provided by the Post-9/11 GI Bill. 

Student-veterans regardless of their veteran educational benefits eligibility can apply for and receive federal student aid.  Typically with the combination of the Post 9/11 GI Bill at 100% and the Federal Pell Grant, student-veterans’ tuition and fees are nearly completely covered depending on their enrollment. Student-veterans can also be eligible for federal student loans which typically are not utilized by most student-veterans.  Those students who do not receive Pell are ineligible usually due to income/assets or they have already received their first BA. Students receive a Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) as well.

Graduate Office of Educational Financing 

The Office of Military and Veterans Affairs provides an overview of graduate student veteran benefits and resources

Undergraduate Office of Educational Financing 

Students at the School of General Studies may be eligible to receive scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study. Financial aid may come from GS, federal and state governments, or private sources. Approximately 70 percent of all GS students receive some form of financial aid. The GS Office of Educational Financing, located in 408 Lewisohn, administers all financial aid for GS students, including institutional, federal, and state aid.

Undergraduate Housing 

GS students reside in many different housing situations. A number of students stay in University owned housing, many live at home, and some secure other non-University housing in the New York area.  The best point of contact for any housing questions or issues that arise is [email protected].

Graduate Housing 

If you are a graduate student please reach out to your advisor at the school you are enrolled in to be directed to the available resources.

There are currently more than 500 student organizations at Columbia University. In the fall, there is an Activities Day fair where students can learn about the myriad of organizations on campus. LionLink is an online resource for all student organizations at Columbia. If students are interested in joining a club, LionLink is a great way to search for organizations and reach out for more information.

Undergraduate Student Life 

GS Student Life is a great point of contact for students who are looking to participate in the many programs offered at GS. GS Student Life can be contacted at [email protected]. The GS Student Life Office is located in 308B Lewisohn Hall. Programs overseen by GS Student Life in the following topic areas Alumni Networking, Community Building, Diversity and Social Justice, Faculty Engagement, Leadership Development, Family Friendly Off-Campus Excursions, Student Group Advising, and more. Check the DOS weekly News and Announcements emails for postings on ways to get involved. 

If students are interested in getting involved with Student Life at GS as student leaders, applying to  be a GS Student Life Volunteer is a great option. These students are the first to learn about involvement opportunities, including Orientation Leaders and Junior Marshals. This application is online on the GS Student Life website.

Undergraduate Student Veteran Groups

• Military Veterans of Columbia University (MilVets) (open to graduate students)
• Women Veterans of Columbia University (WVCU)

Graduate Student Groups and Affiliations

• Columbia Business School Veteran's Club
• SIPA Veteran's Club
• Veteran's Literary Review

There are many other campus groups and initiatives across the University. If you wish to be connected to these groups, or start your own, please visit your own School or the Inter-School Governing Board site for more information.

Graduate and Undergraduate Parents and Families

• GSAS Resources for Parents
• Columbia Health Parents and Families
• Undergraduate Columbia University Family Support Network ​​​​(CUFSN)

For emergencies, call 911 and Columbia Public Safety at (212) 854-5555 

Columbia Health Resources

Columbia Health

Live Well Learn Well

Here is a video of Columbia Health’s resources, plus a video on insurance basics:

Opting out of Insurance - VA Health Benefits as Alternate Coverage

In order to request a waiver or exception of enrollment in the Columbia Plan, you must have alternate coverage that meets the University requirements as outlined below. You must provide sufficient information regarding your alternate health insurance plan to allow independent verification that your plan meets the University requirements. If you are registered with the VA, it will count as alternate coverage and you can request a waiver. Consult the website for the deadlines to request a waiver.

Veterans Concerns at Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS)

CPS’ program Veterans Concerns has five counselors on staff with training from the VA and experience working with veterans, including 2 counselors on staff with experience in the Israeli Defense Force. These counselors encourage veterans to utilize their drop-in hours and the veteran support group. Please visit Columbia Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS) Veteran’s Concerns for more information.

Alfred Lerner Hall, 8th Floor (map to CPS) 

2920 Broadway, Mail Code 2606

New York, NY 10027 

Office of Disability Services (DS)

Students seeking accommodations or support services from Disability Services are required to register with the office. Make sure to submit your paperwork early here. If you have questions, please contact [email protected].

Wien Hall, Main Floor — Suite 108A

411 West 116th St., Mail Code 3711 

New York, NY 10027 

Medical Services

Medical Services provides a full range of health care services for Columbia University students. If you are utilizing the Columbia student health insurance plan, Medical Services will serve as your primary care provider. To book a same day appointment, click here. You can book by phone at 212-854-7426 or in-person at John Jay Hall, 3rd Floor Information.

After hours, weekends, or University Holidays, call 212-854-7426 for 24/7 support.

In an emergency, call CUEMS/Public Safety at 212-854-5555, or dial 911.

For more Health and Wellness Resources including the VA, Vet Centers and others please visit the GS Veterans Initiatives and Resources website .

Undergraduate Academic Advising

The Office of the Dean of Students is the primary source of advising for students at the School of General Studies.

Graduate Academic Advising -Contact your school's Academic Advising Department

Columbia University Center for Career Education (CCE) works to empower you to make smart career choices, develop the tools necessary for a successful internship/job search, and connect professionally with employers through workshops, career events, online resources, and meetings with counselors.

Veteran Career Action Plan (PDF)

Career Resources for Veterans and Service Members (PDF)

Find Your Calling

Visit Columbia Online to enroll in Find Your Calling: Career Transition Principles for Veteran. A free course developed in collaboration with FourBlock.org. This course provides military veterans with a useful roadmap to transition more smoothly from military service to a new and meaningful civilian career.

Veterans Career Initiative (VCI)

In partnership with the Military Veterans of Columbia University, networking and recruiting opportunities are provided for student veterans to engage with hiring managers from a wide range of employers.

For more information, please connect with the Military Veterans of Columbia University

Keeping Graduate School on the Horizon

Visit the Center for Veteran Transition and Integration's course Find Your Calling for access to a free online courses that will help your transition into graduate school and the workforce.

Columbia participates in the Army, Air Force, and Naval ROTC programs. These programs include students from schools throughout the New York City area.

• The New York City Army ROTC program is based at Fordham University.
• The New York City Air Force ROTC program is based at Manhattan College.
• The New York City Naval ROTC program is based at SUNY Maritime College in the Bronx. GS also organizes and supports cross-campus Commissioning Ceremonies for the Naval ROTC program when GS students are commissioned upon completion of their undergraduate degree at General Studies.

For more information, please contact the Office of Military and Veteran Affairs.

Any student who is a member of the National Guard or other reserve component of the armed forces of the United States or of the state-organized militia and is called or ordered to active duty will be granted a military leave of absence for the period of active duty and for one year thereafter.

Upon return from military leave of absence, the student will be restored to the educational status attained prior to being called or ordered to such duty without loss of academic credits earned, scholarships or grants awarded, or tuition or other fees paid prior to the commencement of active duty. (This does not mean being restored in the same class(es) of which work and attendance were missed due to service, in any given semester - makeup work and time must be worked out with the Academic Advisor, Senior Assistant Dean of Veteran Initiatives and the class instructor(s) prior to the student leaving for duty). The University will credit any tuition or fees paid for the period of the military leave of absence to the next enrollment period or will refund the tuition and fees paid to the student, at the student's option.

TIP: Notify your Advisor and Class Instructors prior to the start of the semester that you serve in the Reserves or National Guard and you will have to report once a month (or more) and may be called up for duty at any time. Create a plan with these support systems so you can make a calculated decision on how you will navigate missed time and classwork, or a missed semester.

Students in need of a military leave of absence should contact their advisor at their School and the Office of Military and Veteran Affairs.

Columbia Veterans

Columbia Veterans is a nonprofit organization that serves Columbia University alumni, faculty, staff, students and the greater community in which we interact. Our mission is to promote the welfare of this diverse population by cultivating a spirit of community and pride.  We seek to help advance and assist in the professional, personal and academic growth of the community through connections to the University and to each other. Throughout these efforts, we will continue to foster camaraderie, fellowship, and a sense of service.

The Military Ball celebrates Columbia’s distinguished veteran student community, uniting them with the leaders and scholars of New York City and the world. Established in 2010, the Military Ball continues to be regarded as the premier event uniting veterans across the University community. Proceeds help underwrite academic and career transition programming for all veterans and military family members nationwide, financial aid for veteran students at Columbia University, and veteran student and alumni programming.  If you have any questions or wish to obtain more information, please email [email protected]

Public Safety

For lost or stolen property, crime prevention, security, etc. 

(212) 854-5555 

Information Line: for updated safety tips: 212-854-INFO (4636) 

Escorts: a trained student escort or a Public Safety officer will escort you anywhere on campus or in the surrounding area: just call 212-854-SAFE. 

Call Boxes: Located all over campus, recognizable by their blue light. Connects you to Public Safety 

Shuttle Bus Information

Two Shuttle Bus routes run between Columbia’s different campuses. These run 24 hours a day. 

Dodge Fitness Center

If you are a full time student, or a part time student who has elected the health and related service fee, you have access to the Dodge Fitness Center.  For more information about the facility, visit their site here.

Office of the University Chaplain

The Office of University Chaplain works collaboratively with schools across the university to promote interfaith and intercultural awareness.  The office provides spiritual counseling upon request.  For more information, visit their site here. You can also email [email protected] or call 212-854-1493.

Ombuds

A confidential University resource for students, faculty, and staff to assist in the management and resolution of workplace and/or academic issues. [email protected] or 212-854-1234.