From: ugrad-finaid@columbia.edu <ugrad-finaid@columbia.edu>
Date: On Monday, October 13th, 2025Hello,
Thank you for contacting the Office of Financial Aid & Educational Financing.
Columbia’s policy views financial aid as a partnership between the student, the biological or adoptive parents, and the school. While the application process has requirements for the student and both parents, the university recognizes that unusual or complicated family circumstances can prevent the completion of a financial aid application.
If you are not in contact with your non-custodial parent, you can petition to waive the non-custodial parent requirements. To request a waiver, first review the steps in Columbia’s Noncustodial Parent Waiver Petition Instructions form. If you feel your circumstances may qualify for a waiver, complete Steps 2 – 4 in the instructions form.
**Incomplete petitions will not be considered.**
Please note that the financial aid documents for your Non-custodial Parent will continue to show as required on our document tracking website until our Petitions Committee has finalized a decision regarding your request. Note that noncustodial waivers are not granted for refusal to pay. If you are admitted to Columbia, we will notify you of any additional required documentation. Thank you for your patience.
Please note that noncustodial waivers are not granted for refusal to pay.
**For security purposes, we do not recommend emailing confidential financial
information. Please, be aware that sending your documents via email to:
ugrad-finaid@columbia.edu will be done at your own risk. **Remember to include the Columbia ID number with all questions and submitted documents for us to be able to find your application.
Email:
ugrad-finaid@columbia.eduYou should submit your Non-Custodial waiver request form and supporting documentation through IDOC following instructions at:
https://cc-seas.financialaid.columbia.edu/forms/idoc-institutional-documentation-service
Best,
Office of Financial Aid & Educational Financing
Columbia College | The Fu Foundation School of Engineering & Applied Science
Visit: 618 Lerner | Connect: Website https://cc-seas.financialaid.columbia.edu/
https://www.instagram.com/columbiafinancialaid
Mail: 100 Hamilton Hall, Mail Code 2802 | 1130 Amsterdam Avenue | New York, NY 10027
p: 212-854-3711 | f: 212-854-5353 | ugrad-finaid@columbia.edu