What is the SSP?
PROCESS OVERVIEW
Here is what the process looks like!

Process Overview
Here's a general overview of the complete application process!

What it includes:
- Department Information
- Basic Scholar Information
- Visa Selection
- Columbia Funding Information
- English Language Proficiency
- Fee Payment
- Upload the Supporting Documents as One PDF File (H-1Bs and E-3s only)

What it includes:
- More detailed scholar information
- Scholar Mailing Address
- Scholar Dependent Information
- Scholar Funding Information
- Health Insurance Acknowledgement

What it includes:
- Delivery Instructions
- Ability to Edit Scholar's Responses (Part 2)
- Upload the Supporting Documents as One PDF File (J's and Visiting Scholars only)
- Submission to the ISSO
READY TO GO? LET'S GET STARTED!
Here's a step-by-step description.
Complete Part 1
Log in to the SSP where you will be led through a series of questions. During this process, the form will guide you to select the appropriate visa type for your scholar's visit. You will also be led to different pages based on which visa option you choose (e.g. financials, English language proficiency, etc.). Finally, departments who select H-1B or E-3 visa types will need to upload supporting documents as one pdf file (those bringing Js and Visiting Scholars will upload documents in Part 3). Once you submit Part 1, you will receive a confirmation page that will give you some general instructions.
What happens after you submit Part 1:
- If you have requested sponsorship for a J-1 or Visiting Scholar, your scholar will be emailed directly with a link to login.
- If you are requesting H-1B, E-3, O, or TN sponsorship, we are notified and will contact you to confirm eligibility and provide guidance on how to proceed.
Scholar Completes Part 2 (if applicable)
If you are bringing any J-1 or Visiting Scholar, your scholar will be emailed directly with a link to log in. The email will be automatically generated to come from you and will include a link and a unique username and password. The scholar must use these credentials to access the form.
Similar to Part 1, the form will guide the scholar to answer more specific questions. Don't worry, you will be able to review anything that the scholar entered here when you login to continue editing the application in Part 3. Follow up with your scholar assure they submit in a timely manner. Once the scholar submits Part 2, an email will be sent to you confirming submission.
If you want to submit Part 2 on behalf of a scholar, refer to the FAQs on our SSP Department Guide.
Complete Part 3 (if applicable)
Once you receive the email from the scholar, you must log back in to the form and continue editing Part 3. You will be asked basic delivery information and then you will be able to edit anything the scholar submitted in Part 2. Finally, you will need to upload your supporting documents as one pdf file. After you submit Part 3, we will receive an email and your application will be complete!
Upon submitting Part 3, you will also get a confirmation page that will give you some general instructions.