Deantini and Dean Boyce announced in an email this evening that all CC/SEAS students receiving Columbia financial aid grants will not have to pay course fees starting in the 2016/2017 academic year. This new policy applies to fees associated with laboratory, language, film, writing and visual arts courses. The new policy does not, however, extend to GS or Barnard students on financial aid who take Columbia undergraduate courses with course fees.

You can read the full announcement below:

Dear Students,

We are pleased to let you know that, beginning in the 2016-2017 academic year, we will be waiving course fees in laboratory, language, film, writing and visual arts courses for undergraduates at Columbia College and The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science who receive Columbia financial aid grants.

These fees have not been previously factored into the cost of attendance, as they are not required of all courses or majors, but we realize that they have been a challenge for many of our students. Going forward, these fees will be covered, without impact to the departments mounting the courses.

This is one of the ways that we hope to reduce the financial burden of pursuing a Columbia education and improve your undergraduate experience. We hope that removing these fees will improve your ability to choose the courses that you are most interested in taking without regard to cost.

Sincerely,

James J. Valentini
Dean of Columbia College and
Vice President for Undergraduate Education

Mary C. Boyce
Dean of The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science