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Departmental Scholarships 

MA in Statistics Opportunity (OPP) Scholarship

The Statistics Department offers a limited number of competitive, need-based scholarships for newly admitted on-campus full-time or part-time students to the MA in Statistics program who are from groups underrepresented in the discipline in terms of race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic background, family history of post-baccalaureate opportunity, gender identity and gender expression, disability, or military service. Each OPP scholarship awards full or partial tuition scholarships. Contingent upon satisfactory academic performance in the program, awardees will also have priority placement in teaching assistant-type positions. This scholarship is for U.S citizens or permanent residents only. 

To apply, you must complete and submit the 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) [Columbia School Code: 002707]. The FAFSA result will be used to verify need-based eligibility.  Please refer to this document for guidance on completing the FAFSA. Applicants to the MA in Statistics program who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents must submit the GSAS application prior to applying for this award.

To apply for this scholarship, you must submit the MA in Statistics Opportunity Scholarship Application. The priority deadline for the scholarship application is Sunday, March 10, 2024 for Fall 2024. Scholarship award notifications will be sent on a rolling basis as decisions are made.

Inquiries concerning this scholarship should be addressed to MA.Stat@columbia.edu  with the subject line “MA in Statistics Opportunity Scholarship”.

MA2PhD Merit Scholarship

The Statistics  Department awards a limited number of scholarships for highly qualified incoming students interested in pursuing PhD training after successfully completing our MA program.

The MA2PhD scholarship is to provide both financial and intellectual resources for students who have strong potential in pursuing a PhD degree after the MA. The scholarship does NOT carry any preferential consideration for future admission into the PhD program in Statistics at Columbia.  Students with adequate preparation will have priority in being approved to take PhD level courses.

As a MA2PhD scholarship recipient, you will receive additional mentorship from the MA2PhD Club directors. You will also be able to build your scholarly skills and personal research interests in a supportive learning environment through research opportunities, doctoral-level courses, as well as participate in the MA2PhD Club’s activities such as seminars, journal clubs, workshops and faculty meetups.

In addition, you will have the opportunity to apply for a student grader, TA or tutor position after the first semester in the program contingent upon maintaining good academic standing.

Candidates who qualify will be contacted directly via the Department at the time of receiving an offer of admission. Generally, the MA2PhD Merit Scholarship requires the recipient to:

  • Demonstrate a keen interest to pursue a Ph.D. program after graduating from the MA Statistics program.
  • Show evidence of success in a Ph.D. program.
Application for MA2PhD Merit Scholarship is by nomination only. Candidates nominated by the MA Statistics admissions committee will be contacted by the MA Statistics Program to submit the MA2PhD Merit Scholarship application. If contacted, the priority deadline for submitting the scholarship application is Sunday, March 10, 2024, for Fall 2024. Scholarship award notifications will be sent on a rolling basis as decisions are made

Graduate Equity Initiative (GEI) Scholarship

The Statistics Department offers the GEI scholarship to support efforts to increase diversity within the MA in Statistics program. This scholarship is geared towards increasing the recruitment, retention and graduation of a diverse student body. The GEI scholarship awards full or partial tuition scholarships for newly admitted on-campus full-time or part-time students. Contingent upon satisfactory academic performance in the program, awardees will also have priority placement in teaching assistant-type positions. This scholarship is for U.S. citizens or permanent residents only. The GEI scholarship will not consider the voluntary race/ethnicity self-identification during the selection process.

All applicants will be considered on an individual basis for the program, and special considerations will be given to those applicants who:

  • Will be the first in their family to attend graduate school;

  • Have overcome substantial obstacles on their journey to applying to graduate school;

  • Have lived or worked in a diverse environment; and/or 

  • Have, through their undergraduate education or work experience, demonstrated the commitment to serving historically underprivileged populations or demonstrated the commitment to the academic study of historically underrepresented populations.

To apply, you must complete and submit the 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) [Columbia School Code: 002707].  The FAFSA result will be used to verify need-based eligibility.  Please refer to this document for guidance on completing the FAFSA. Applicants to the MA in Statistics program who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents must submit the GSAS application prior to applying for this award.

To apply for this scholarship, you must submit the MA in Statistics Graduate Equity Initiative Scholarship Form. The priority deadline for the scholarship application is Sunday, March 10, 2024, for Fall 2024. Scholarship award notifications will be sent out on a rolling basis as decisions are made.

Inquiries concerning this scholarship should be addressed to ma.stat@columbia.edu  with the subject line “MA in Statistics Graduate Equity Initiative Scholarship”. 

Additional Funding Resources 

Grader Position

Beginning in their second semester, academically strong MA Statistics students can apply to be a grader. Graders support faculty and TA's in specific courses. This is a paid opportunity open to domestic and international students. Information about applying will be communicated to MA Statistics students via email.  

Research Internship

There are paid research internship opportunities on campus. Primarily self-initiated, it is recommended that students interested in research look into MA Mentored Research opportunities..    

Other Fellowship Funding & External Awards 

Shardashish Interschool Fellowship

The Shardashish Interschool Fellowship program is offered at Columbia University in cooperation with the UNM Foundation in India. The fellowship aims at making the best quality of educational opportunities available for students who are financially restrained yet committed to developing the future of India. Preference is given to candidates who have been admitted for a master's program at Columbia University.
The maximum amount a student can receive is $50,000 a year that could be used for both fees and tuition. Visit the Shardashish Interschool Fellowship website for information on how to apply and deadlines. 

Fulbright Opportunity for International Students

The Fulbright Foreign Student Program enables graduate students, young professionals and artists from abroad to study and conduct research in the United States. 

Financial Aid

Sources of financial aid may be available through a variety of internal and external sources including loans and work-study. For more information, please read more here. Questions regarding these funding opportunities should be directed to the Office of Financial Aid.

For additional funding resources and opportunities for MA students, please visit Columbia GSAS Financing Information for MA Students and the Upcoming Fellowship and Award Opportunities websites.