Scholarships

Institutional Scholarships 

Teachers College offers a range of institutional scholarships to Master's and Doctoral students, recognizing the diverse talents, experiences, and contributions of our students. These awards are designed to support students throughout their studies at the College.

Institutional scholarship funding is limited and competitive, and not all students who apply or are eligible will receive an award.

How to Be Considered for Scholarships

To be considered for Teachers College scholarships, you must indicate your interest in financial aid when completing your Teachers College Application for Admission. To maximize your opportunity for consideration, we encourage you to submit your admission application by the applicable priority deadline.

Visit How to Apply for Institutional Aid to learn more about the application and awarding process.

Funding for Doctoral Students

Teachers College offers institutional scholarship support to newly admitted Doctoral students through the Doctoral Fellows Program and other partial scholarship opportunities.

Doctoral Fellows Program

The Doctoral Fellows Program is Teachers College's signature scholarship program for Doctoral students. A limited number of newly admitted students are selected by their academic programs for Doctoral Fellow appointments.

Doctoral Fellows receive a partial or full tuition scholarship along with a $30,000 annual stipend for up to three or four years of study, depending on the fellowship appointment. Most Doctoral Fellows also participate in an apprenticeship that provides research, teaching, or other professional experience.

Partial Doctoral Scholarships

Doctoral students who are not selected as Doctoral Fellows may also be considered for partial tuition scholarships and other institutional funding opportunities. These awards are limited and competitive.

Eligible candidates for Doctoral Fellow and partial scholarship funding are selected at the discretion of the academic program. The Office of Financial Aid will notify students of their eligibility once award details have been finalized.

Award amounts, duration, and renewal requirements may vary. Students should review their financial aid offer and accompanying terms and conditions for specific information about their award.

Funding for Master's Degree Students

Master's students can be considered for partial tuition scholarships through the Founders' Award or Teachers' Future Award upon admission. To be considered for either award, Master's students must indicate yes to the scholarship consideration question when completing their Teachers College Application for Admission. Students who do not opt in at the time of admission will not be considered for these scholarship programs.

After admission, students may also be considered for other institutional funding opportunities, including assistantships, endowed funds, special funds, and grants. Eligibility, award amounts, and selection processes vary by program and funding source.

Scholarship funding is limited and competitive, and eligibility does not guarantee an award. Renewability also varies by scholarship and is subject to the specific terms and conditions of the award.

The Office of Financial Aid will notify students of their scholarship eligibility once award details have been finalized.

Institutional scholarships are subject to specific eligibility requirements and terms and conditions. Please review the following resources for important information about your award.

Scholarship Terms and Conditions

Stipend Terms and Conditions

Part-time and full-time employees of Teachers College, Columbia University, or Barnard College may be eligible for tuition exemption benefits.

Tuition exemption benefits may affect your eligibility for institutional scholarships. Please review the scholarship terms and conditions included with your financial aid offer for information about how employee benefits may impact your award.