Spring 2026 – Submit College Tuition Scholarship Applications, Starting Now
The Spring 2026 term is quickly approaching. To receive the College Tuition Scholarship (CTS) benefit, Officers must apply each term; one application per child.
The Tuition Programs Team wishes to remind our Officers that your College Tuition Scholarship (CTS) benefit application(s) on the Columbia University Benefits Enrollment System (CUBES), will now be submitted to EBPA using the improved online paperless process. A copy of the CTS Checklist is attached for your information and review.
To ensure your Spring 2026 CTS application is processed in a timely manner, you must provide all the information requested. Please don’t leave any sections blank and upload all required documentation. If your paperless CTS application is missing information, or required documentation is not uploaded as detailed below, EBPA will send you a Missing Information email and your application will be in a “Pending” status until all missing information is received.
Good Guidance: Advance Preparation is Encouraged
Upon receipt of your child’s school’s itemized tuition bill, please take action to review the CTS application to identify and secure all required documentation, then scan documents in preparation for uploading to EBPA.
The How to Submit steps below will guide you to review and accurately complete all sections to successfully submit your benefit application directly to EBPA online.
- Complete dependent and school information.
- Confirm required information on your itemized tuition bill.
- Upload required documentation to EBPA secure portal:
- Itemized tuition bill/student account statement
- Grants, Awards & Scholarships – Letter from School (if applicable)
- Student in Good Standing Letter – Summer Term (if applicable)
- Proof of Relationship documentation – 1st CTS application only
Once your required documents have been uploaded, an EBPA email will be sent to your Columbia email address with a Confirmation Number(s), a 13-digit numerical code(s) that begins with CTU.
4. Enter EBPA transaction confirmation number(s).
The 13-digit numerical code(s) must be entered into your application to submit, to identify the documents required as part of your application.
5. Complete the I Certify section and electronically sign the application.
6. Submit your application.
EBPA CU Tuition Tracking System
We encourage you to register for the EBPA CU Tuition Tracking System to enhance your customer service experience. Registration requires your Columbia email address and to create a password. The CU Tuition Tracking System provides online status updates on the processing of your application: In Progress, Pending, or Paid. Once your tuition scholarship benefit has been paid, an Explanation of Payment is available online or to be saved for your records.
EBPA Tuition Tracking – Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Did you get my application?
A: CTS applications will be available for tracking 2-3 business days after they are submitted through the portal.
Q: What is the status of my application?
A: Applications will be available for tracking 2-3 business days after they are submitted through the EBPA tracking portal.
Q: When will my child’s school receive payment?
A: Please allow up to 15 business days for EBPA to process your CTS application for benefits payment. EBPA CTS payments are sent via U.S. mail.
If you have questions about the CTS policy or other Tuition Program benefits, please call the Columbia Benefits Service Center at 212-851-7000 (9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday-Friday) or email [email protected].