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Access Barnard serves as the hub of College efforts to enhance the academic experiences and promote the inclusion and excellence of first-generation, low-income, and international students in their transition to and persistence through the Barnard experience. We do so by celebrating identities, cultivating community, empowering exploration, mentoring others, and building allyship, holistic development, and self-advocacy.

Located in Milbank Hall at the north end of campus, Access Barnard is home to FLI (first-generation/low-income) Initiatives, International Student Services (ISS), and Opportunity Programs (OP).

Pursue. Persist. Persevere.

Access Barnard Offerings

• Access Barnard Summer Pre-Orientation Program (multiple tracks: OP, International F-1, FLI)
• Summer Transition Series
• Weekly Newsletters
• First-Year Access Barnard (FAB) Program
• Peer Mentoring Program 
• Global Ambassadors
• Access Barnard Lending Library and Supplemental Academic Support Application (SASA)
• Access Barnard Student Advisory Board
• Signature Celebratory Events
• Community Building Events
• Spring Orientation for VISP and new incoming transfer international students

The Access Barnard Summer Pre-Orientation Program is an experience prior to the wider New Student Orientation Program (NSOP) where first-generation and/or low-income, and international F-1 first-year students begin the transition to Barnard College. Made up of multiple components designed to better support our diverse population areas, we have dedicated tracks for Opportunity Program scholars (CSTEP and HEOP), International first-years (F-1 visa holders), and First-generation/Low-Income (FLI) students. The program is an opportunity for participating students to get an academic and social edge, while gaining exposure to campus resources and the Barnard community. The program also encourages students to form lasting bonds of friendship and a strong peer support network through discussion-based sessions and community activities. 

Objectives:

• Welcome new students to Barnard College and the Access Barnard community
• Establish connections both within the incoming class and with upper-year peers
• Make incoming students aware of the resources available to them, including but not limited to, (1) academic resources, (2) opportunities for student involvement, and (3) opportunities to establish a relationship with faculty, staff, and alumnae
• Empower incoming Access Barnard students to make responsible and informed decisions as a Barnard community member
• Foster pride, belonging, and enthusiasm in the Access Barnard community

Summer Program Structure

OP Academic Program (mandatory for all incoming CSTEP & HEOP students): August 4-18, 2025

• OP Move-In takes place on Monday, Aug 4, 2025 from 10:00am-12:00pm
• OP Parent & Family orientation will take place from 12:00-1:30pm
• OP Student Welcome & Kick-Off will take place from 2:00-3:30pm, with programming concluding at 7:00pm on Aug 4
• OP Academic Program Courses run from Tuesday, Aug 5 - Monday, Aug 18, 2025

Navigating Barnard Week (mandatory for OP & International F-1 first-year students; voluntary opt-in for FLI students):

• Navigating Barnard Week Move-In (International F-1 first-year students & FLI students) takes place on Monday, Aug 18, 2025 from 9:30am-1:30pm
• Student Welcome & Kick-off beginning concurrently with the Parent & Family Orientation at 3:00pm, with programming concluding at 6:00pm (optional dinner and community building).

Please note the following:

• Student attendance will be taken at all Pre-Orientation sessions

• International students for Pre-O are exclusively defined as incoming first-year students on F-1 visas (not F-1 transfers or J-1 visiting international students). There are a limited number of spots for third-culture students. Please refer to the Pre-Orientation registration in your New Enrolling Student Portal. 

• First Generation/Low-Income (FLI) students are students who are the first in their families to attend college (where none or neither of your parents/legal guardians obtained a bachelor's degree at the time of your Barnard enrollment; or none or neither of your parents/legal guardians completed a bachelor's degree in the United States. For those who come from lower-income households, income and the opportunities to which it provides access varies significantly by geography, cost of living, and family size. Therefore, there is no set definition of low-income — you are welcome to identify as you feel most comfortable.

All CSTEP, HEOP, and International F-1 first-year students are required to attend, fully participate, and be present for the full duration of their designated program components. OP students are required to live on-campus during the duration of their two academic weeks. Non-OP first-generation and/or low-income (FLI) students are invited to participate in the program on a voluntary, opt-in basis, and must sign-up to be considered. All eligible students will find sign-up information and additional details in their New Enrolling Student Portal. We have a capacity of 200 program participants in total, and students will receive an official confirmation from Access Barnard in July regarding their participation. We are very much looking forward to meeting you in August!

If you have additional questions, please refer to our Summer 2025 FAQ or reach out to Access Barnard at accessbarnard@barnard.edu.

The Supplemental Academic Support Application (SASA) provides students with a single point of access to request supplemental funds for emergent academic needs to support their educational progress during their time at Barnard.

SASA Eligibility 

SASA funding is available to all Barnard students. Applications are reviewed by the SASA Committee.

Scope of Awards

SASA funding aims to support Barnard students during their undergraduate experience through supplemental academic grants. SASA grants range and can be used for demonstrated needs such as: academic course materials, educational accommodation testing, or emergent needs for extreme financial hardships. The average grant awarded is $50-350, and priority is given towards requests with a direct academic need. There are limited resources available throughout the semester and the SASA Committee prioritizes requests within its means. Policies and awarded grant funding may also change in the future and should not be held as an expectation for future requests. Additionally, the support provided through SASA is a way to help connect students with non-financial resources at Barnard, Columbia, and within NYC. SASA also supports students through the Access Barnard Lending Library and specialized advising.

PLEASE NOTE: SASA is not suited to address significant long-term financial deficits. SASA does not support tuition of any kind, ongoing living expenses such as rent (housing or storage), utilities, lifestyle expenses, nor fund non-emergency personal and/or pleasure travel without clear academic justification.

How To Apply

The SASA application is available through your Barnard portal which can be found at portal.barnard.edu. You will be prompted to log in. Once logged in look under finances and you will see the SASA application listed.  

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Email: accessbarnard@barnard.edu

Location: Milbank 111; Milbank 119

Opportunity Programs (OP)

• Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP)
• Collegiate Science Technology Entry Program (CSTEP)

For more information about Opportunity Programs, please email opportunityprograms@barnard.edu

First-Generation/Low-Income Student Initiatives (FLI)

First-Generation/Low-Income Student Initiatives (FLI) provides specialized advising and support to all students who identify with the first-generation and/or low-income college experience. Access Barnard seeks to empower and enrich the experience of FLI students both inside and outside of the classroom as they navigate Barnard. 

First Generation/Low-Income (FLI) students are students who are the first in their families to attend college (where none or neither of your parents/legal guardians obtained a bachelor's degree at the time of your Barnard enrollment; or none or neither of your parents/legal guardians completed a bachelor's degree in the United States. For those who come from lower-income households, income and the opportunities to which it provides access varies significantly by geography, cost of living, and family size. Therefore, there is no set definition of low-income — you are welcome to identify as you feel most comfortable.

For more information about FLI Student Initiatives, please email fli@barnard.edu.

International Student Services (ISS)

International Student Services (ISS) serves the needs of F-1, J-1 visa students, and self-identified international students at the College. ISS provides a wide array of services to new, continuing and visiting international students. The office also develops year-round academic, cultural, and social programming, oversees the Global Ambassadors, and serves as a global resource for the larger Barnard community.

For more information about International Student Services, please email iss@barnard.edu.

Peer Mentoring Program

Peer mentoring is widely considered a high-impact practice for student success. Peer mentoring has been shown to enhance students' sense of belonging and satisfaction with their college experience and enhance psycho-social belonging. For students new to the college experience, peer mentors have been shown to be indispensable to the transition, particularly for first-generation students. Access Barnard Peer Mentors help students identify their needs and connect them to institutional resources.

For more information about the Access Barnard Peer Mentoring Program, please email mentoring@barnard.edu.

The Food Pantry at Lerner Hall is open to currently-registered students within any of the 21 Schools of Columbia University. Any student who has any level of food insecurity can reach out to the Food Pantry to get a disbursement catered to your individual dietary and household needs. All students can rest assured that any information they provide will remain within the Food Pantry and will not be shared with anyone outside of the Food Pantry without their explicit permission. Access Barnard also hosts a small food pantry in our Lounge, Milbank 111.

Additional resources:

• Community-Based Organizations within One Mile of Each Pantry Location
• FBNYC Database of Community-Based Organizations
• NYC Food Pantries & Community Kitchens
• SNAP Benefits Food Program