College of the Holy Cross operates under a Home School Tuition Policy. Please see the policy below: 

College of the Holy Cross Home School Tuition Policy for Study Abroad

1. Purpose

The College of the Holy Cross is committed to making study abroad an accessible and academically meaningful part of the undergraduate experience. To support this commitment, the College operates approved study abroad programs through a Home School Tuition Policy.

Under this policy, students must remain enrolled at Holy Cross while participating in an approved study abroad program. They are charged Holy Cross tuition, room, and where applicable, board; remain eligible for applicable financial aid; and receive Holy Cross academic credit for approved coursework completed abroad. Eligible courses and grades are recorded on the student’s Holy Cross transcript in accordance with College policies and academic requirements.

2. Rationale for the Home School Tuition Policy

The Home School Tuition Policy treats approved study abroad as an integrated semester of a Holy Cross education rather than as a separate period of enrollment away from the College. Tuition revenue supports the necessary academic, administrative, advising, financial aid, health and safety, and student-support infrastructure required to operate these programs.

The policy also permits eligible federal and institutional financial aid to be applied to a student’s Holy Cross account, subject to the requirements and limitations of the applicable aid programs. Through this approach, the College seeks to make study abroad as financially comparable as possible to an eligible student’s on-campus experience.

The Home School Tuition Policy provides substantial benefits to all participating students, including students who do not qualify for need-based financial aid. By remaining enrolled at Holy Cross, students retain continuity of enrollment and access to College advising, academic oversight, transcript and degree-planning processes, health and safety support, emergency assistance, and other services associated with an approved study abroad experience. The model also helps ensure that approved coursework contributes appropriately to the student’s Holy Cross degree, and that participation does not unnecessarily disrupt progress toward the College’s eight-semester residential requirement or timely graduation.

Holy Cross requires undergraduate students to complete eight semesters of residence or residential enrollment, subject to applicable College policies. Participation in an approved study abroad program allows a student to remain enrolled at Holy Cross while studying abroad and permits the semester to count toward progress under that requirement.

A student who takes a leave of absence or voluntarily withdraws from the College to independently pursue either an approved or non-approved fall, spring, or academic-year study abroad program is not enrolled at Holy Cross for that academic term. The semester therefore will not count toward the residential requirement, and coursework completed during that period will not receive Holy Cross academic credit. This will place the student in residential arrears, require an additional semester of enrollment or residence, and jeopardize timely graduation.

Accordingly, students may not use a leave of absence or voluntary withdrawal to study abroad and earn Holy Cross academic credit outside the Home School Tuition Policy.

3. Programs Covered

This policy applies to all approved fall, spring, and academic-year study abroad programs administered or recognized by the College through the Office of Study Abroad.

The Home School Tuition Policy does not apply to summer or other short-term study abroad or study-away programs conducted outside the regular academic year, for example Maymester programs.

4. Services Supported by Home School Tuition

Holy Cross tuition supports the academic and student-support services associated with participation in an approved study abroad program. Depending on the program and location, these services may include:

• Initial advising and program selection;

• Application and enrollment assistance;

• Pre-departure preparation and orientation;

• Academic advising and course approval;

• Passport and visa advising;

• On-site advising and student support;

• On-site cultural programming and staff support;

• Language testing;

• Accommodation support;

• On-site tutoring or other academic assistance;

• Health, safety, and emergency support; and

• Advising and support upon the student’s return to campus.

Available services may vary by program and location.

5. Enrollment, Academic Credit, and Grades

Students participating in an approved Holy Cross study abroad program remain enrolled at the College for the duration of the program, subject to applicable enrollment and academic requirements.

Coursework must receive all required approvals under Holy Cross policies to be eligible for academic credit. Students are responsible for completing required coursework and satisfying any additional requirements established by the College, their academic department, or the study abroad program.

Grades earned abroad will be reported and posted as letter grades to the student’s Holy Cross academic record in accordance with College policies and procedures, and will not be calculated into the student’s cumulative GPA. Students may not receive Pass/Fail grades abroad.

6. Additional Requirements

Participation in an approved study abroad program remains subject to all applicable College policies and program requirements, including those concerning eligibility, academic standing, enrollment, financial aid, health and safety, withdrawal, program cancellation, the residential requirement, and applicable fees and expenses.

Students and all relevant parties are responsible for understanding the Home School Tuition Policy, and how a study abroad experience, leave of absence, or voluntary withdrawal may affect their academic progress, financial aid, residential requirement, and anticipated graduation date. 

• All students will be charged Holy Cross tuition and the Holy Cross standard room charge. Board/meal plan will vary depending on program.  Students will be charged anywhere from zero to full board in quarter increments depending on how many meals are included in their program. 

• All students will be billed a mandatory approx. $235 fee per semester for Global Security Assistance and international Medical/Travel Insurance provided by International SOS (ISOS) and Cigna Global Health/Lloyd’s Insurance (students will NOT be charged the Health Service fee). This fee is considerably less than the cost of the policy and is subsidized by Holy Cross. 

• If a student is on campus at Holy Cross for one semester, they will be charged the Student Activity Fee. If a student is abroad for the academic year, they will not be charged this fee.​

The determination of financial aid eligibility for studying abroad via a Holy Cross approved program is calculated just as it is for students who are living on campus. Financial aid is based on the standard cost of attendance. The College considers the standard cost of board when determining financial aid awards even if they are not directly billed for it on their student account. Students and/or families who are financing their education with loans should consider the total cost of attendance when determining the amount of loans requested. The cost of attendance includes tuition, fees, room, board, books, supplies and personal expenses. To review the specific costs, please view the Bursar's Office page on tuition and fees. 

Students who are awarded scholarships from sources external to Holy Cross (for example, a study abroad partner University) must report the scholarship to the Financial Aid Office.  Financial Aid will then determine how the scholarship is applied to the HC bill. Specific questions regarding your financial aid award should be directed to financialaid@holycross.edu.

Students should expect some additional expenses related to studying abroad. The following list may not be comprehensive and is subject to change. Additionally, students should not expect to have the same amenities abroad as they have at Holy Cross. Each program has different components unique to each location: 

•  TRAVEL to and from your study abroad destination

• REFUNDABLE deposits (security/bond; this can be as high as $1,500 plus) Students receive this money back from the host institution as long as they keep their room in good order, return their key, etc.

•  STUDENT VISA/RESIDENCY FEES including translations and health fees, if applicable

•  AIRPORT TRANSPORTATION this varies by location, but generally, students can expect to cover the cost of moving from the airport to their host institution/program

•  LOCAL TRANSPORTATION

•  MEALS (varies by program)

•  BOOKS

•  PERSONAL EXPENSES (including bedding and kitchen supplies)

•  ENTERTAINMENT

•  LAUNDRY

•  PRINTING FEES

•  PACKING EXPENSES or storage fees for personal belongings 

•  COVID-19 TESTING

Students should consider individual lifestyles and the types of experiences they'd like to have while studying abroad when considering their budget. Consider the following:

• Will you eat at fancy restaurants often or do you prefer cheap and cheerful cafes? 

• Will you go out to nightclubs or bars frequently? 

• Do you plan to do a lot of travel in your host city or outside of it? 

To start, it's a great idea to research average cost of everyday items in your host destination. To do this, go to numbeo cost of living calculator  and enter your host city! You'll get an idea of the average cost of everything from coffee and bread to public transportation and beyond. 

Effective Fall 2027, Holy Cross will discontinue the study abroad flight credit. This means that the College will no longer offset the cost of airfare for students who study abroad.

Holy Cross remains deeply committed to providing transformative global learning opportunities. Study abroad is a defining and highly valued part of a Holy Cross education, and we continue to encourage and support all students who wish to pursue it.

This decision was made after careful review. It ensures consistency across the College’s practices, promotes financial sustainability, and aligns with Holy Cross’s mission and commitment to access. It also reflects established practice within higher education and our peer institutions. 

We recognize that travel costs are a meaningful consideration for students and families. Holy Cross will continue to support study abroad participation through individual advising and informed financial aid practices. Students receiving need-based aid will continue to consult with the Office of Financial Aid to consider their individual financial circumstances.

We understand this change may prompt questions. Our goal is to ensure that study abroad remains an achievable and integral part of a Holy Cross education for all students who wish to pursue it. We are providing additional information via the FAQ section, in anticipation of further questions you may have.

Thank you for your support and understanding. We remain committed to enriching student learning through impactful global opportunities.