This webpage describes the work/life services and programs available for graduate students. In addition to the programs and services described below, graduate students may feel free to browse the entire website for additional work/life information and resources.
- Breastfeeding Support Program - The Breastfeeding Support Program includes lactation rooms across campus, and additional informational resources for breastfeeding mothers.
- Parenting, Child Care, & Schooling - Columbia's child care and schooling resources, including the School and Child Care Search Service, associated child care centers, child care fairs, and summer programs can help you to find and access care for your child(ren)
- Backup Care Program - The backup care program provides care for anyone you have or feel a responsibility toward, when normal arrangements are disrupted and/or when you need to provide short-term care. Please note: Only graduate students who matriculate through a doctoral program at Columbia University are eligible for backup care.
- Housing Information and Referral - The service provides individual consultations on renting or purchasing apartments and homes within commuting distance of Columbia University campuses.
- Work/Life Bulletin Board - The Work/Life Bulletin Board is a forum to facilitate the exchange of information among the Columbia University community.
Please review the Policy on Suspension of Responsibilities for Childbirth on the GSAS website for information on time off for new parents. If you are not in the Arts and Sciences, contact your school/department directly to understand the policy on time off for childbirth/parenting.
Health Services at Columbia
Health Services For Yourself
The principal focus of Health Services at Columbia is to provide medical services to the undergraduate and graduate student body. Part-time students, those covered by other health insurance plans, and other students may also elect to enroll in the Health Service Program.
Once you have paid the Health Services fee, you pay no additional charges for health services provided on campus, with the exception of the following:
- you must pay extra for immunizations and travel assessments.
- your health insurance will be billed for laboratory tests, radiology services and prescriptions ordered by Health Services.
If you choose not to enroll in the Health Service Program, you may still receive care through Primary Care Medical Services for a fee of $60 per visit plus lab and X-ray costs.
Health Services For Your Family
Because Health Services is student-funded and student-centered, your spouse or same-sex domestic partner, and your children are not eligible to enroll in the Health Service Program; you must find health care providers for them in the greater New York City community. Depending on your family's income, your child may be eligible to join either Children's Medicaid (or Child Health Plus), New York State's health insurance plan for kids.
However, the below services provided on campus are available to you and your spouse or partner.
- Spouses and partners may receive couples counseling at Counseling and Psychological Services.
- Evaluation of an acute medical condition may be provided at Primary Care Medical Services for a $60 fee if your spouse or partner has not yet found his or her own primary care provider in the community.
- A spouse or partner may join the student in obtaining a travel assessment prior to travel abroad. Immunizations needed for protection during the trip are also available to the spouse or partner.
Health Services at Columbia does not have pediatricians available, and is unable to provide services to children.
Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan
The Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan works in conjunction with services provided by Health Services at Columbia. For instance, the plan assumes your primary care physician will be the Primary Care Medical Services.
If you are a funded doctoral student, you should check with your department, financial aid or fellowship office to see if your funding includes payment or partial payment of insurance premiums.
Enrolling Yourself in the Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan
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The Medical Insurance Plan provides both a Basic Level and a Comprehensive Level.
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You are enrolled in the Basic Plan by default as soon as you register for school.
- Coverage runs from September through August of each academic year.
- You must either re-confirm or opt out of your Medical Insurance Plan coverage each year.
Family Enrollment in the Medical Insurance Plan
If you want to enroll your dependents in the Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan you must:
- be personally enrolled in the Plan
- be enrolled in Health Services at Columbia
- pay the Health Service fee
Once the above conditions have been met, you may enroll:
- Your spouse or same-sex domestic partner who lives with you.
- Your unmarried children, including stepchildren and foster children who meet the eligibility requirements.
For your dependents, the Medical Insurance Plan provides a version of basic level coverage; comprehensive level coverage is not available for your dependents. Please see the Medical Plan brochure to learn about the basic level coverage available for dependents; enrollment is available on the Medical Insurance Plan website. You must re-enroll your family members every term if you want to maintain coverage.
Housing Information and Referral
The service provides individual consultations on renting or purchasing apartments and homes within commuting distance of Columbia University campuses.
For all housing information pertaining to Columbia University Medical Center, kindly contact Adele Selik at (212) 305-4930.
University Apartment Housing (UAH)
Columbia University has a number of residential units near both the Morningside and Health Sciences campus available to graduate students. Interested student may apply through Columbia University Apartment Housing.
Office of Institutional Real Estate
400 W 119th Street
New York, NY 10027
Tel: 212-854-9300
Fax: 212-749-8816
Off-Campus Housing Assistance (OCHA)
Columbia University offers Off-Campus Housing Assistance (OCHA), a free listing and information service for Columbia faculty, fellows, staff, students and alumni searching for non-Columbia-owned housing.
OCHA provides an online housing registry database of non-Columbia-owned rooms and apartments for lease, sublet, or share. Be aware that OCHA does not screen either owners or tenants, and apartments are not inspected or "approved" by Columbia or the employees of OCHA. The information is provided as a free service to the Columbia University community.
The OCHA office is open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday:
419 W 119th Street (Lower Level)
New York, NY 10027
Phone: 212-854-2773
Fax: 212-854-5333