Columbia University HBCU Fellowship Programme 2027 prepares high-performing seniors and recent graduates of Historically Black Colleges & Universities for advanced study, mentorship, and career development through a targeted fellowship for Fall 2027. The Columbia HBCU Scholarship supports Fellows who apply to eligible full-time, on-campus Master of Science programs at Columbia University School of Professional Studies.
The program is offered by Columbia University School of Professional Studies and aims to advance HBCU graduates’ academic credentials, provide high-touch mentorship and networking, and connect Fellows to the broader Columbia University network. The School provides program events, office hours, and information sessions to support applicants and Fellows.
Columbia University HBCU Fellowship Programme Benefits
- Full tuition scholarship for three consecutive semesters (fall, spring, summer) in one eligible Master’s program
- Student housing accommodations for the three consecutive terms of enrollment
- Semesterly stipend
- Internship and mentorship opportunities with SPS corporate or sector partners
- Additional cohort developmental experiences including community engagement and career services
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Columbia University HBCU Fellowship Programme Eligibility Criteria
- Be a current senior at an eligible HBCU or a recent graduate who received a bachelor’s degree in 2025 or later.
- Apply for a full-time, on-campus Master of Science programme at Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies for the Fall 2027 term.
- Submit the required application materials for both the master’s programme and the HBCU Fellowship Programme.
Eligible Master’s Degree Programmes
- Actuarial Science
- Applied Analytics
- Bioethics
- Enterprise Risk Management
- Human Capital Management
- Information and Knowledge Strategy
- Narrative Medicine
- Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
- Nonprofit Management
- Political Analytics
- Project Management
- Sports Management
- Strategic Communication
- Sustainability Management
- Sustainability Science
- Technology Management
Application Requirements
- The fellowship application requires a statement of purpose, a video essay, a letter of support, and a résumé
- A supplemental essay is optional
- The master’s application has its own requirements, including a programme-specific statement of academic purpose, any applicable supplemental essay, and other documentation that may be required
How to Apply for Columbia University HBCU Fellowship Programme?
- Apply to a full-time, in-person Master of Science program at Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies for Fall 2027
- Submit a separate application to the Columbia HBCU Fellowship Program for the Fall 2027 term
- Write a Statement of Purpose in 750 words or less addressing the specified prompts
- Submit an optional Supplemental Essay in 300 words or less if desired
- Submit a Video Essay of 90 seconds or less following the application prompt
- Provide a Letter of Support from a faculty or staff member at your HBCU
- Include a Resume listing relevant experiences
- Note the First Masters Deadline: November 13
- Note the Final Masters & HBCU Fellowship Program Application Deadline: January 7
- Use the application portal to check and manage your application status
Don’t miss this deadline
Applications close on Friday, 13 November 2026. We’ll email you 7, 3 and 1 days before.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the Columbia University HBCU Fellowship Programme. These answers cover application requirements, deadlines, eligibility, benefits, and how to check application status.
Do I need to submit both a Masters application and Fellowship Application?
Yes. You must apply to a full-time, in-person Master of Science program at Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies for the Fall 2027 term, and also submit a separate application to the HBCU Fellowship Program for the Fall 2027 term to be considered.
Do I need to submit both my Masters and Fellowship application by the First Deadline November 13th?
No. Applying to the Master’s program by the first deadline may provide an earlier admission decision; it is not required to submit the HBCU Fellowship application by that first deadline.
How can I check the status of my application?
You can check the status of each of your applications by logging into the application portal here: https://apply.sps.columbia.edu/manage/ and selecting the application you would like to check.
When will my Master of Science application decision be released?
The Master’s application decision will be released within 6-8 weeks of you completing your application.
When will my HBCU Fellowship Program application decision be released?
The HBCU Fellowship Program decisions will be released in mid-March of 2027.
Can I obtain an application fee waiver?
There is no fee for the HBCU Fellowship Program application and all eligible applicants to the HBCU Fellowship Program will have their Master of Science application fee waived.
Are international students eligible for the HBCU Fellowship?
Yes. The international students are eligible and advises checking the International Students and Scholars Office website for requirements.
Are both on-campus and off-campus housing options covered as an HBCU Fellow?
Yes; awarded Fellows will have their housing covered by the Fellowship Program through Columbia Housing and housing may be on or off campus, with Fellows advised to select fully furnished options.
Are campus tours available?
Yes; SPS students lead campus tours weekly and dates and details are available on the SPS events page, with group inquiries directed to the provided hbcu-fellowship email contact.
The faculty/staff member for my letter of support is no longer affiliated with my HBCU; are they still eligible to write my letter?
Yes. It is preferable that the recommender is still affiliated with your HBCU, but if they were affiliated at the time of your attendance, the letter will be considered.
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