Entering first year J.D. students applying for Columbia University institutional aid (need-based grants, federal Perkins and institutional loans) are required to submit financial information using the Need Access application. To apply online, visit Access Group's Web site. If you have questions about completing or submitting the application, you are encouraged to contact Access Group at 800-334-0540, 302-477-4000, or NeedAccess@accessgroup.org.
Although the provider of the Need Access application is a lender, you have the right and ability to select the provider of your choice for your loans. You are not required to use the servicer that administers the Need Access application as your loan provider, and you will suffer no penalty for choosing an education loan provider that is different from the one that administers the Need Access application.
To be considered for a grant, you must submit information from you, your spouse (if applicable), and both parents, regardless of your age, marital status, or dependency status for tax purposes. If your parents have separate households (separated, divorced, or unmarried), then you must provide complete financial information for each parental household before submitting the information, using passwords for each section if desired. Remember that a grant application cannot be reviewed until all required information has been received. For further information, please see our section on Independence and Dependence.
Applicants for admission who wish to be considered for a grant should submit the Need Access application by the March 1 deadline, even if they have not received an offer of admission yet. While late applications from admitted students will be reviewed once completed, grant funds may be exhausted by that time. In such cases, late applicants who otherwise would be offered a grant will be placed on a grant "wait-list," and may be offered institutional aid in the form of loans for all three years of the J.D. program.
