Students on UVM Semester programs pay their usual UVM tuition and fees, a program fee that is equivalent to a UVM room rate - either an enhanced double or enhanced single room, depending on the standard room type provided abroad. Some UVM Semester programs have additional fees incorporated into the program fee that are site specific, such as local insurance. This allows students to pay all costs to UVM instead of making multiple different payments. There is no meal plan on UVM Semester programs; students on these programs purchase groceries for themselves while abroad. 

UVM grants and scholarships are eligible for use on these programs, as is federal financial aid. 

Once accepted, there is a $300 non-refundable deposit to secure a space in these programs.

Students participating in the UVM Field Studies in Costa Rica semester program pay their usual tuition to UVM, plus a program fee. 

UVM grants and scholarships are eligible for use on these programs, as is federal financial aid. 

Once accepted, there is a non-refundable deposit to secure a space in this program.

Vermont resident students pay the UVM in-state tuition rate, and out-of-state students pay tuition at the “exchange rate” which is equivalent to a 40% reduction on out-of-state tuition. Financial aid, including UVM grants and scholarships, can apply to exchange programs.  

Some UVM exchanges are all inclusive and also bill UVM housing and meal plan costs which students then receive at no additional charge from the university abroad. UVM grants and scholarships are reduced for out-of-state students to account for the reduction in tuition. For more information, consult Student Financial Services.

ISEP Exchange students pay tuition, room (at the traditional double room rate), and board to UVM. Currently, Vermont resident students pay the UVM in-state tuition rate, and out-of-state students pay tuition at the “exchange rate” which is equivalent to a 40% reduction on out-of-state tuition. Financial aid, including UVM grants and scholarships, can apply to exchange programs.  UVM grants and scholarships are reduced for out-of-state students to account for the reduction in tuition. For more information, consult Student Financial Services. ISEP also charges ISEP Exchange students an application fee and a placement fee, see ISEP for current costs.

 

Students participating in approved programs sponsored by other organizations or institutions will not qualify for UVM grants and scholarships during their time abroad, but may continue to use federal and state aid to assist in financing their study abroad programs. Additional information is available from Student Financial Services. Outside of the UVM study abroad fee, bills are paid directly to the outside organization or institution. Financial aid packages will be recalculated to reflect the costs of the study abroad program. Parent PLUS and alternative loans are available through federal and private loan providers to help finance external programs. Your financial aid eligibility will be reduced if your total program cost is less than the standard cost of enrolling for the same period at UVM. Notify Student Financial Services promptly of any changes to the costs or course load associated with your program. If you receive outside grants or scholarships, be sure to check with the sponsoring organization about how these benefits or scholarships might be applied to costs for your study abroad program. Federal financial aid will disburse to UVM ten days before the UVM semester begins or your study abroad program starts (whichever is later). That means that you may have already started classes before you receive your federal financial aid. Some external/direct enroll programs will require you to pay for tuition and/or housing upfront, before you receive your financial aid. There may be steps you can take to alleviate this to an extent (like completing payment deferral paperwork, or supplying a letter from SFS that details your financial aid), but not all programs may allow this. Make sure you know ahead of time what your program/host university requires.
 

Travel Study programs are UVM courses and, as such, normal tuition and fees apply. Winter break and spring break course charges are applied to the Spring semester bill.  Summer course charges are applied to the Summer term bill. In addition to regular course tuition, a program fee is charged and includes accommodations, in country transportation, activities, and some meals. Additional costs not billed by UVM may include some meals, visas, international airfare and travel costs, health/immunization costs, trip cancellation/travel insurance, and personal expenses that may emerge when traveling internationally. Some courses may have course specific equipment such as specialized clothing/gear. Refer to the specific program’s GoAbroad brochure page to identify what is or is not included for specific programs and to see estimated costs.

Students are charged a non-refundable deposit of $450 (plus 2.85% service fee) to reserve their space following admission to the program, which is reduced from the final program fee amount. 

Refer to the GoAbroad application form to see Travel Study refund policies and timelines. 

Once you are in the post-decision phase of your GoAbroad application, you may need to take steps to transfer any eligible financial aid or scholarships to your study abroad program. Student Financial Services (SFS) reviews each student's Financial Aid Award during the post-decision to determine your requirements to transfer your current scholarships/financial aid for your term abroad. For students receiving aid, next steps depend on the program type. 

UVM Exchange, UVM Semester, ISEP (Exchange and Direct), UVM Field Studies in Costa Rica, Direct Enroll participants: The Office of International Education (OIE) will create a budget sheet and send it directly to SFS.  Once the budget sheet is completed by OIE/SFS, your award will be revised and you will receive a copy of the budget sheet via email for your reference. You do not need to take action to initiate this but will receive email communication from SFS that you should respond to immediately upon receipt.

Approved External Study Abroad Program participants create their own budget sheet if you wish to use loans or scholarships. The budget sheet template is on Study Abroad Forms. Begin creating your budget sheet as soon as you are confirmed for your program. Some general tips for budget sheet creation: 

• All costs need to be based on evidence that is referring to your period of study abroad (fall/spring/summer). If current information is not available please contact your program provider.
• For each cost, you need to provide evidence of the cost or supporting documentation. We recommend you create a word document or PDF to save all supporting documentation within. If you are not submitting your documentation electronically make sure to print out all of your supporting documentation prior to arriving to your appointment with SFS.
• Supporting documentation needs to include it's source, your specific program name, and date. Screenshots must include the website within the screenshot. Acceptable documentation does not include the billing statement received from your program as it is not a list of all charges and costs, usually including only general payment and balance due information.
• If an exchange rate was used while creating the budget sheet for conversion, include proof of the rate at the time it was referenced. A screenshot added to your word document or PDF.
• Airfare: If you have not yet purchased your ticket, please complete a sample airfare search (using a website like Google Flights, Student Universe, Kayak.com, etc.) using the appropriate arrival and departure dates, then take a screenshot of a sample airfare from that search and use that as your budget sheet estimate. If you have already purchased airfare, you may use your actual airfare receipt.
• Student Financial Services will complete the Cost of Living and Student Loan Fee amounts during your budget submission meeting.
• Remember- the budget sheet lists the total estimated costs of study abroad BEFORE your financial aid is applied. Do not attempt to add in your financial aid- Student Financial Services will be able to calculate how much aid you will receive and on what date, and how it can apply to your study abroad term.
• OIE staff can help with budget sheets during drop-in hours.

Cost is an important factor to consider when choosing an international experience. Not only should you understand the costs of your program but you should also anticipate the other costs that will be associated with your travel. It is important that you understand all of the items and services that will and will not be included in your program. If your support system is involved in supporting your education, you should discuss budgeting, costs, and other financial considerations as part of your study abroad application process.

Cost Planning (we have suggested items to consider as part of a budget determination):

• Pre-Departure Expenses
  • Airfare
  • Application fees and deposits
  • Passport application fee
  • Student Visa/Residence Permit Application
  • Other possible student visa or immigration costs, such as medical visits, travel to consular office, photographs, FBI background check, express mail fees, etc.
  • Travel, health, or personal property insurance
  • Medical insurance
  • Immunizations, if applicable
  • Housing security deposit (refundable)
     
• Costs While Abroad (verify what may be included in program cost)
  • Tuition/Program Fees
  • Housing
  • Food/meals (if your program includes a meal plan)
  • Communication (phone, SIM cards, internet, postage)
  • Local transit (bus, subway, trains)
  • Optional excursions offered by the program for an additional cost
  • Entertainment and personal travel (this is often the biggest expense for study abroad students)
  • Course fees
  • Books and other supplies
  • Personal expenses (toiletries, laundry, souvenirs/gifts, etc.)
  • Start-up costs, such as bedding, kitchenware, towels, bathroom items, power adapters, etc.
  • Souvenirs and gifts
  • Emergency cash
  • Medical expenses, such as prescriptions, doctor visits, etc.
  • Other personal expenses

Below is a list of some organizations offering scholarships to study abroad. This list is meant to be a starting point for you and is not comprehensive. Check with individual organizations and programs to find the most up-to-date, complete, and accurate information.

Government and Non-Profit Funding

• Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship: Open to US Citizens with Pell Grants who are planning to study abroad. Applications are due early October for Spring programs, and early March for Summer/Fall programs. About 1/4 of students who apply receive a scholarship of some amount (up to $5,000). If you are studying a "critical need language" you can earn an additional $3,000. Ask OIE for help applying, and see our Calendar of Events for upcoming Gilman Scholarship information sessions and workshops.
• Gilman-McCain Scholarship: Open to US citizens who are spouses or dependent children of an active-duty US military service member, and receive any type of federal financial aid.
• Freeman-ASIA
• Fund for Education Abroad
• German Academic Exchange Service Undergraduate Scholarships
• Institute for International Education
• GoOverseas
• Education New Zealand Generation Study Abroad Travel Awards
• ISEP Scholarships (for ISEP students only)
• Killam Fellowships (for study in Canada)
• Rainbow Scholarship (for LGBTQ+ students)
• Rotary Scholarships
• National Security Education Program Boren Awards for International Study
• Scholarships for Japan Study Abroad
• Diversity Abroad
• USA Study Abroad
• Swedish Women's Educational Association (SWEA) Scholarship
• American-Scandinavian Foundation grants (mostly but not exclusively for graduate level research)
• Diverse International Women of Color fund 

Visit the Office of Fellowships, Opportunities, and Undergraduate Research for additional guidance regarding the government and non-profit scholarships above.

External Funding

Many of our approved external study abroad programs offer scholarships to their participants. Be sure to research scholarship opportunities available through the programs you are considering.

Students who study abroad for a semester or any non-UVM summer program pay a study abroad fee. The fee is $500 for a semester or full-year program and $250 for summer programs. Students pay the fee through their myUVM billing account, payment is due on standard UVM billing dates. 

The fee covers expenses associated with having personnel, systems, and support available to students both within the Office of International Education and centrally within UVM. When the fee is paid, these additional items are triggered administratively:

• Allows you to remain enrolled as a full-time UVM student, ensuring continued student status for health insurance coverage and, when applicable, financial aid.
• Allows you to register for the following semester's classes at UVM at the same time as on-campus students.
• Facilitates your credits to transfer back to UVM upon successful completion and review of course material.
• Provides UVM administrative support services while abroad including access to Study Abroad Advisors, Transfer Affairs advisors, and Student Financial Services advisors, as well as access to the UVM library.
• Enrolls you with UVM's Travel and Medical Assistance provider.

All students studying abroad through UVM are considered active students because of their OSSP registration, which is completed on behalf of students for the applicable term. OSSP courses carry fees that vary by program type and term. Students will also have charges from the host institution or program. If you are unclear about what you will be billed and from whom, consult the OIE. 

Students should additionally understand these key policies: 

• Study Abroad Billing and Financial Aid
• Study Abroad Refund Schedules

When you complete the GoAbroad form "Request Official Study Abroad Registration (OSSP)," you grant permission to the Office of International Education (OIE) to enroll you in the study abroad course below which matches your program type and term. This is a general outline of what is billed - see the Schedule of Courses (SOC) for your specific study abroad term to better understand your exact costs.