Funding Programs

***THE FALL FUNDING PROGRAM APPLICATION PERIOD FOR FALL 2025 WILL OPEN AUGUST 4, 2025. APPLICANTS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THEIR APPLICATION STATUS THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 29, 2025. ***

Thank you for your interest in the funding programs. Please carefully review the program pages below. If you have any questions, contact us at cce-funding@columbia.edu.

Programs

Columbia College Summer Funding Program

Summer

The Columbia College Summer Funding Program provides funding to Columbia College students participating in unpaid or low paid summer internships related to their career pursuits and/or academic studies. Eligibility: Columbia College students who have secured an unpaid or low paid summer internship. Please note that certain donors restrict funding to students receiving grant-based financial aid.

a student (Yasmine Ayman) gives two thumbs up in scrubs and a mask

Columbia Engineering Internship Fund

Summer

The Columbia Engineering Internship Fund (CEIF) provides funding to selected Columbia Engineering students to participate in an unpaid or low-paid engineering summer internships related to their career pursuits and/or academic studies. Eligibility: Columbia Engineering students who have secured an unpaid or low paid summer internship.

Engineering & Technology

Work Exemption Program

Fall

Spring

Summer

Recipients of the Work Exemption Program (WEP) receive a Columbia Grant to support their pursuit of unpaid internships, research projects, and community outreach, locally, nationally, and internationally. Eligibility: Columbia College and Columbia Engineering undergraduate students receiving grant-based financial aid

Resources

Finding an Undergraduate Research Position

Getting research experience during your time as an undergraduate can aid in your pursuit of graduate school or certain career opportunities. There are many opportunities available to conduct research alongside faculty at Columbia or other universities and research institutes.

In the Know

Three students smile in front of their research presentation

April 03, 2025

Plan B: Managing Your Expectations

Part 5 of Insider Tips for Your Summer Funding Programs Application, a series of posts designed to help you navigate the application process and put your best foot forward. Read about how to manage your expectations and develop a plan B.

A student in a green shirt helps two children paint while another volunteer smiles and watches

March 27, 2025

Crafting a Better Budget

Part 4 of Insider Tips for Your Summer Funding Programs Application, a series of posts designed to help you navigate the application process and put your best foot forward. Read about how to craft your summer budget.

Employees and volunteers at Bronx Defenders pose for a group photo

March 20, 2025

Making a (Personal) Statement

Part 3 of Insider Tips for Your Summer Funding Programs Application, a series of posts designed to help you navigate the application process and put your best foot forward. Read about how to make your personal statement shine.

Three people stand in a lab wearing blue masks

March 13, 2025

Opportunity Knocking: Finalizing Your Opportunity & Employer Verification

Part 2 of Insider Tips for Your Summer Funding Programs Application, a series of posts designed to help you navigate the application process and put your best foot forward. Read about employer verification requirements and the importance of starting your application early!

Students write at a table, text reads "Insider Tips for Your Summer Funding Programs Application"

March 06, 2025

Singing Your Praises: Letters of Recommendation

Part 1 of Insider Tips for Your Summer Funding Programs Application, a series of posts designed to help you navigate the application process and put your best foot forward. Read about the letter of recommendation requirement and important tips like reaching out to your recommenders early in the process!

A student who received WEP funding works with a pipette at a lab

November 19, 2024

WEP awards over $140,000 to fund students’ endeavors in Fall 2024

The Center for Career Education (CCE) is excited to announce the completion of another successful application cycle for the Work Exemption Program (WEP) for the Fall 2024 semester. As an enhancement to financial aid for undergraduate students in Columbia College and Columbia Engineering, the WEP program provides Columbia Grants to support eligible students’ pursuit of unpaid internships, research projects, and community outreach.