Student Financial Aid and Planning

College of Dental Medicine

DDS Program: Renewing your Financial Aid

Please follow the steps below to determine what materials need to be completed.

1. Aid Type Request Form

  • Complete ONLY if you are a FIRST TIME applicant for school need-based funds. The Aid Type Request Form is available on NetPartner.

2. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

  • To apply for federal student aid, you must complete a FAFSA. (Columbia FAFSA Code: 002707)
  • Federal student aid includes Federal Direct Unsubsidized loan, Federal Direct Graduate PLUS (for qualifying continuing students), and/or Federal Work-Study.
  • You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident in order to complete a FAFSA. The FAFSA became available in October 2025.

3. Federal Income Tax Returns - Required if you receive need-based school grant and need-based school loans

  • Returning students who previously received a need-based CDM grant and a CDM need-based loan will not need to file the CSS Financial Aid Profile after your first year. You will instead submit your and your parent’s 2025 tax forms by going to the Forms section of our website and completing the Title VII Parent Financial Information Form.
  • Federal Tax Returns
    • We will need signed and dated copies of pages 1 & 2 of your, your spouse’s, and your parents' Federal 2025 tax returns to be submitted through the Forms section of our website under IRS Tax Forms by April 15th. A tax extension from the government is not an extension from the school as far as meeting our deadlines.
    • If you, your spouse, or your parents did not file a 2025 tax return, you should go to the Forms section of our website and complete the Why I Did Not File a Tax Return Form.
    • Please DO NOT email tax forms directly to our office email.  The links highlighted above are the secure way to submit these forms.  Email is NOT secure and risks compomising your and your parents' financial information.

Note - Files will not be reviewed until all required forms and documentation have been submitted.

4. Request to Be Classified “Disadvantaged”

5. Interschool Scholarships

  • A number of scholarships are awarded directly by the University and are available to students who meet specific criteria. If you meet any of the specific criteria listed on the Interschool Scholarship Letter located in the Forms section of our website, please write to our office no later than June 1, 2026 explaining how you qualify.  Once the link to the Interschool Fellowship Application is live, you should go to the Forms section of our website and complete it.  You will need your Columbia UNI to apply.

6. Students with Dependent Children

7. International Students Who Do Not Hold a Permanent Resident Visa

  • You are eligible only for outside private, “alternative” loans. Contact our office for loan information.
  • Please let your financial aid officer know you've applied so we can certify your eligibility.

Postdoctoral Programs: Renewing your Financial Aid

Please follow the steps below to determine what materials need to be completed.​

1. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

  • To apply for federal student aid, you must complete a FAFSA form. (FAFSA Code: 002707)
  • Federal student aid includes Direct Unsubsidized, Federal Direct Graduate PLUS (for qualifying continuing students), and/or Federal Work-Study.
  • You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident in order to complete a FAFSA. The FAFSA became available on October 2026.

2. Interschool Scholarships

A number of scholarships are awarded directly by the University and are available to students who meet specific criteria. If you meet any of the criteria listed on the Interschool Scholarship Letter located in the Forms section of our website, please write to our office no later than June 1, 2026, explaining how you qualify.  Once the link to the Interschool Fellowship Application is live, you should go to the Forms section of our website and complete it.  You will need your Columbia UNI to apply.

Budget Adjustments

  • Don’t incur expenses that exceed the standard budget unless: a) you can cover them with assistance from family or friends, or b) if you will need financial aid to cover them, you have first cleared the expenditure(s) with your Financial Aid Officer. Be prepared to itemize and document any additional expenses.
  • Rents that exceed our average budgets may be approved for extra student loan borrowing BUT only to a maximum of $1,675 a month. The Budget Adjustment & Loan Change Request form and a copy of your lease will be required before any adjustment to your budget is made. Check with your Financial Aid Officer before committing to additional housing expenses that you cannot cover with personal funds. Potentially refundable deposits cannot be covered.
  • A student's budget is computed only for enrolled periods. The summer between the first and second year is the only non-enrolled period. Once second year begins, your academic years run back-to-back.
  • If you take the CUIMC Medical Insurance, your budget will be increased by the amount of the premium for a single student as well as for the Supplemental Insurance, and your financial aid package may be adjusted accordingly.
  • Other expenses will be considered if they are necessary and related to attendance at dental school.
  • Expenses incurred for applying to postdoctoral programs cannot be included in your financial aid budget.  There are some "outside" sources that you may find helpful to fund these costs.  Please contact us.

Additional Information

  • Notify our office throughout the academic year should any change occur in your family's financial circumstances from those you originally reported. This includes a change in your marital status prior to or during the award period.
  • Notify us about any new aid (scholarships, loans, etc.) that becomes available after filing your applications.
  • Reduction of Loans by External Scholarships - Recipients of either externally-awarded scholarships or loans are obligated to notify their Financial Aid Officer. You will be granted a dollar for dollar substitution in an amount equal to the "external" aid in the following order: Alternative loans, if taken, Federal Direct Graduate PLUS if applicable, Federal Direct Unsubsidized loan and then the CU Loan and CDM grant, if applicable. 
  • Notify us if siblings or spouse reported as expected to enroll as full-time students for either fall or spring do not do so.
  • Tuition Exemption - Partial tuition exemption benefits are evaluated on an individual basis and may be used to reduce outside loans for those who also qualify for need-based school funding.