My IKNS

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MY IKNS: Resources for Incoming and Current Students

As an IKNS student, you are a member of the Columbia community with access to world-class student resources. Watch this space for a collection of frequently used resources and links to important tools.

How do I keep my profile (job, city, etc.) in the alum directory up-to-date, so that current students and alums can find me? Through this directory, all IKNS students and alums have access to Columbia University's 350,000+ alums around the world. Log into the Columbia-wide Alumni Directory platform and update your profile. Same for the SPS Connect platform, which has more features (the two platforms will auto-sync in the near future, but don't yet). Both platforms have an option to pull updates from your linked-in page, as an easy, alternative way to keep your profile up-to-date on both platforms. What if I want to update my information only for Columbia (e.g., to get invited to alum events in a new city you just moved to) but not have my job, location, etc. be visible to other students and alums? In this case, you can use the Alumni Contact Update form. Please note this form deliberately will not sync to the directory platforms. This form also allows for more granular updates to your contact info, such as your physical mailing address and email preferences.

Financial Resources

Student Financial Services (for School of Professional Studies)

Student Financial Services (general, Columbia-wide)

Financial Resources (School of Professional Studies)

external scholarship opportunities

SPS Academic & Professional Development granT

Income from on-campus jobs and internships

Columbia SPS Merit Fellowship for partial tuition support: While the program does not provide full financial aid, every applicant who gets admitted is automatically considered for a Columbia SPS Merit Fellowship. The fellowship, if awarded, covers a portion of your tuition in the first semester. Decisions on the fellowship will be communicated on a rolling basis, usually a short time after an applicant is admitted. There is no separate application or information from you required for this fellowship.

Income from off-campus internships (CPT) or Pre-OPT: Many of our students work part or full time alongside their studies. If you are a non-US citizen (without regular work authorization in the US), you can still work jobs off-campus (even while you complete your studies) under Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and/or pre-completion OPT. More info here.

On-campus Jobs and Internships

Many IKNS students, whether domestic or on a Visa, hold on-campus, part time jobs to supplement their finances and to enrich their education with additional experience in one of Columbia's many exciting research and thought institutions, whether on our campuses in New York or worldwide. Below is a selection of websites to help you start your search.

Please note that the only fully centralized portal for on-campus jobs is the LionSHARE Database by the Center for Career Education. This database is aimed primarily at undergraduates and therefore not open to SPS students. However, there are a number of semi-centralized job repositories available to IKNS students:

How to get an on-campus job (webinar and further websites and contact information)

CDL's meta site of Columbia-wide on-campus job opportunities

TA and/or Course Associate Jobs at SPS

Virtual global internships through Columbia's Global Centers

Federal Work Study Program (US citizens and US permanent residents only)

Meta site for part time student jobs at Columbia