Columbia GS students protest unequal financial aid

Equality for GS, a student-led group, held a protest on Friday, April 14 to highlight the disparities in financial aid among Columbia's undergraduate schools. The group demands that University administration provide more equitable financial aid, issue Latin diplomas to General Studies graduates, and increase transparency around statistics on GS admissions, as well as retention and graduation rates. "The students at the School of General Studies are second-class citizens in terms of financial aid," Antonio Rodriguez, one of the protest's organizers said.
Video by Alisa Shodiyev Kaff

[@lukeccho]

I had to choose another school because of GS financial aid - I know how you feel and fully stand behind all of you! #EqualityForGS

[@erinmcnabb5904]

Honestly i think it’s more than a 20k in aid disparity. Even after I waived my parents due to lack of support, I was expected to pay 78k a year after 35k in aid if chosen full time and summer courses. This going off a salary of 45k a year and some savings which I wouldn’t be able to hold because of Columbia’s academic course schedule during the day. Not clear to me at all how they calculate the aid even if they can’t give those full rides. Ultimately, I could not attend due to having to take out 100k in loans with a 7% interest rate.

[@AaAa-zd7yy]

This is the main reason I may have to turn down attending Columbia gs. Who can afford to go into 100,000 in debt when you are only making 50,000 a year. Ridiculous

[@ninjapoodle22]

This is really disappointing to hear. I am on the West Coast, and last semester a representative came out to my school (community college ) and did a presentation about GS. This almost sounds like a bait and switch situation. Because when I was looking into financial aid, I did not come across anything. that stated GS students received a smaller, considerably smaller financial aid package. The information that I saw was that if the income level was under 100 K, there was an option of free tuition. I am definitely going to look more into this, but as far as applying, I’m just gonna’ keep Columbia on my grad school list. At least I can apply for fellowships and other aid at that level.

[@empresssoundz3981]

I didn't know this was a thing. My daughter was just admitted and now I'm more concerned than ever.

[@izzyc1570]

The whole point of the GS program is to accept less qualified applicants and have them pay full tuition. This makes the stats of Columbia look better (since GS is not factored in for US News Ranking) and at the same time generates money for the university.

[@sethmyers9081]

This is incorrect. GS is included in the current ranking, not sure what the hate is for. According to their CD a majority of gs students receive FA.

[@sweetliquidsnake]

It's because you are unequal