Expanding Access to Education

Columbia Student Support Initiative

Launched in 2021, this initiative is helping to reduce financial barriers for students across all of Columbia’s schools, providing critical assistance to support student success and wellbeing.

As of fall 2024, the Student Support Initiative has raised $1.52 billion, exceeding the initial goal of $1.4 billion.

Thanks to this initiative, Columbia was able to provide financial aid to more than half of undergraduates in fiscal year 2024.

68% of gifts to the Student Support Initiative have been to endowed funds, providing $1.04 billion of support in perpetuity for financial aid.

Individual donors have given nearly 90% of all gifts to this initiative, paving the way for the next generation of Columbia students.

Over 200 new endowed scholarships have been established at Columbia College alone since the launch of the Student Support Initiative.

Total financial aid expenditures at the University increased by 7% in fiscal year 2024.

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The Impact of Endowed Giving

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Endowment Performance and Management