Columbia Business School has two entries - the J-Term and the regular fall entry. For military applicants, regular entry is recommended as most are transitioning from military to corporate careers – especially Finance, which requires internships. With a legacy of hosting West Point - the prestigious military academy with a 200-year legacy, New York's location advantage is the leverage for CBS, too. Among existing relationships between the two institutions through Teachers College with the Eisenhower Leader Development Program (ELDP), Columbia Business School's Sanford C Bernstein & Co. Center for Leadership and Ethics and Military in Business Association (MiBA) regularly hosts Leadership and Ethics events with the military academy.
CBS – Deferred Admission for Military Applicants (Upto 5 Years)
The unique admission opportunity for the military cohort is the Deferred Enrolment that the school provides exclusively to military members with the option to be admitted to CBS during the last year of their undergraduate or other graduate school and defer their enrolment in CBS for up to five years.
Percentage from the Military: In the class of 2025, CBS boasts a diverse cohort, with 5% of students hailing from military and government backgrounds.
Curriculum: While CBS doesn't have a specific military-focused curriculum, the school offers courses that align with military leadership and decision-making.
Courses such as "Decision Risk and Operation" and "Leadership and Ethics" enable students to apply their military knowledge to real-world business challenges.
Student Clubs: The Military in Business Association (MIBA) stands as the cornerstone of the veteran community at CBS. This student-led organization offers education, mentorship, and a sense of community, enabling veteran students to make the most of their CBS experience. MIBA also actively connects with veteran alumni, provides access to career recruitment opportunities, and advocates for veterans within the student body.
Funding
CBS's commitment to military and veteran students is evident in the various funding opportunities available:
Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008: Eligible students with at least 90 days of active-duty service after September 10, 2001, may qualify for this program, offering up to 36 months of education benefits.
Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program: CBS participates in this program, providing eligible veterans with up to $20,000, matched by the VA for a total of $40,000.
Veterans Readiness and Employment (VR&E): A program that includes full payment of tuition and fees (except health insurance) and a monthly stipend for veterans with a disability rating of at least 10%.
New York State Veterans Tuition Awards (VTA): For New York State residents who are veterans, this program offers $3,535 per term for full-time students.
Advanced Civil Schooling Scholarship Fund: Designed to support participants in the Army's Advanced Civil Schooling Program, Columbia aims to bridge the gap between tuition costs and sponsorship.
Paul Ferri Scholarship: Provides additional financial assistance to Yellow Ribbon-eligible students.
CBS offers nearly 20 different funds and scholarships dedicated to military students, including:
- Hedwig C. Belin Scholarship
- Suzi S. Bergmann Scholarship
- Donald B. Bibeault Scholarship
- de Nicola Family Scholarship Fund
- Charles Burks Griffis, Jr. '71 Scholarship Fund
- Pedro Urquidi Scholarship
- Bernard Gray Fellowship Fund
- Paul Ferri Scholarship
- Benjamin '05 and Beth Hesse Endowed Scholarship Fund for Veteran Leadership
- Navy Supply Corps' Civilian Institutions (CIVINS) 810 Program
- Army Women's Foundation Graduate Program
- AMVETS Scholarship
- Veterans United Foundation Scholarship
- Richard J. Meadows Memorial Scholarship Program
- ProNet International Scholarships Gifts and Scholarships, Inc.
- LunaCap Foundation
Related Essay Guide: F1GMAT's Columbia MBA Essay Guide
Related Service: F1GMAT's Columbia MBA Application Editing Service
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