Veterans at SPS
Columbia University has more veterans enrolled than all the other Ivy League schools combined. Their professionalism, commitment to service, and experience are greatly valued at the School of Professional Studies.
Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies (SPS) offers opportunities for veterans to advance their educational and professional goals, including funding sources, flexible study options, clubs, and services. In the classroom, veterans can translate their experience and training into new opportunities.
Academic Support and Success
SPS offers 18 graduate programs and multiple certificate programs, designed to equip students with practical skills and knowledge to advance their careers. To ensure optimal flexibility, students can undertake their studies full-time or part-time and switch between these options during their enrollment. Furthermore, most programs also offer online course options.
The Columbia SPS Office of Student Life offers a range of programs and services designed to enhance the student experience. These include leadership development opportunities, community engagement initiatives, and wellness resources. Students can participate in events such as the Weeks of Welcome, Self-Love Week, and Graduate Student Appreciation Week, which are designed to foster a sense of community and support among students. Additionally, the office supports student organizations and clubs, providing platforms for students to connect over shared interests and professional goals.
“The School provides significant support for all students,” says Zelon Crawford, senior associate dean of Student Affairs at SPS. “These services help to ensure that our entire student body, including our veterans, are set up for success in their programs and beyond.”
“Veterans have served our country with honor and bring unique perspectives and experiences to all our programs,” said Tracy Schwartz, senior program director for the M.P.S in Wealth Management (WMGT) program. “We are fortunate to have these students as members of our SPS community.”
Financial Support for Veterans
At SPS, the GI Bill®* can go a long way toward a master’s degree. To help cover the gap between the GI Bill® and tuition costs, SPS offers up to $9,000 per year through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Yellow Ribbon Program that is matched dollar for dollar by the VA. For those attending part-time, the majority of tuition costs are covered. If attending full-time, veterans would have approximately half of their tuition covered through these veteran-specific funding sources. In addition to tuition funding, veterans may be eligible for a VA housing benefit of up to $5,000 per month. This funding is prorated for part-time students.
Established through the Post-9/11 GI Bill®, the Yellow Ribbon program offers financial assistance to eligible U.S. military personnel and veterans and their spouses and children interested in advancing their academic and professional goals. “Over the past eight years, the Yellow Ribbon program at SPS has helped over 100 veterans gain a graduate degree from Columbia University,” says Phong Luu, director of Student Support at SPS. “We are tremendously grateful for this program and the access it provides.”
“The Yellow Ribbon program has been a transformative part of my educational journey. It has allowed me to pursue higher education debt-free, removing the financial burden of paying for a master’s program,” said Solenne Hannah Montgomery, daughter of a veteran of the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps and current student in the M.S. in Nonprofit Management program. “This has lifted a great weight off my shoulders, enabling me to fully focus on my studies and professional growth without the stress of student debt.”
Transitioning to a New Career
Understanding the unique challenges faced by veterans transitioning to academic life, SPS provides tailored resources to ensure their success. This support has been refined over the course of several years to meet veterans’ needs. Our Career Design Lab offers specialized services for veterans, including career coaching, networking opportunities, and workshops to facilitate a smooth transition into the civilian workforce.
“We believe in crafting careers that are not just successful but deeply fulfilling,” said Kelly Ahn, associate dean of the Career Design Lab. “And we want to ensure that our students who are veterans find those meaningful careers.”
SPS Clubs and the Wider University Veteran Community
The student-run Columbia University SPS Veterans Association provides a community for veteran students within SPS, fostering camaraderie and offering additional support throughout their academic journey.
Several community groups exist to support veterans across the University. More specific identity- or interest-based groups include Columbia University Military Veterans in the Arts (CUMVITA), for veterans engaged with the School of the Arts; women veterans initiatives; and MedVets, for veterans pursuing careers in health care. Columbia University Milvets is the largest student veteran organization in the Ivy League and is dedicated to supporting veterans across the University as they transition to academic life and beyond. And Columbia Veterans is an independent nonprofit organization that connects Columbia students, faculty, and alumni who have served in the armed forces.
“Many schools express their support for veterans, but Columbia truly delivers. From my experience, their commitment to veterans isn’t just rhetoric—it’s real, tangible support that made my transition into graduate school smooth and stress-free,” said U.S. Air Force veteran Joseph Olive (’25SPS, WMGT).
*GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
About the School
The Columbia University School of Professional Studies (SPS) was founded in 2002 with a mission to provide innovative—and flexible—programs that help students reach their educational and professional goals. The School offers 19 accredited master’s degrees, 15 certificate and certification programs, and more than 100 areas of study through its Postbaccalaureate Studies and Visiting Students programs. All SPS programs offer a part-time option, and many programs are also available to pursue online.
