The costs are often the most important factors students want to discuss while researching education abroad programs. Costs are a calculation of how long a student will be abroad (a semester vs. a 3-week program), the location (United Kingdom vs. New Zealand), transportation (both the international airfare & local transportation like trains, taxis, or buses) program type (study vs. internship vs. research, etc.), the housing (apartment vs. homestay, and other a few other factors.

Budget

Here is a sample budget sheet showing the items you need to consider for a program. These budgets are estimates and intended for planning purposes only.

Location

Some countries have a higher cost of living than the U.S. You can use a cost-of-living calculator to see the difference in cost on items you buy every day. This will give you a good indication if you need to budget more or less money than you need on campus. Bigger cities tend to cost more than smaller cities.

Transportation

Remember to set aside funds for transportation costs. The international flight to your destination may be anywhere from $800-$2,500. Consider questions, such as:

• What transportation will you need to use within your host city?

• Can you walk between campus/home or will you have to use the subway, bus, or taxi?

• Will you want to do any personal travel on the weekends? 

Research resources in your host city to get a better picture of how much to set aside for transportation costs.

Type of Program

The type of program you choose can affect the cost. Exchange programs tend to have the lowest cost.  However, provider programs often offer robust on-site services, resources, and experiential opportunities, and tend to offer additional scholarships to offset the higher program cost.

Housing

Most programs offer different housing options, which can impact program costs. Shared housing is often the lower-cost option, while private housing is often the higher-cost option. Keep in mind that homestays and dorms/residence halls may decrease your food expenses, as food is often included in this kind of housing. On faculty-led programs, housing often includes hostels or hotels that are included in the package price. Numbeo is a website that can help you determine the cost of living for any given place.

Courses

For exchanges and faculty-led programs, you pay your home institution. For Direct Enroll and provider programs, you pay tuition to the other institution or provider.

When choosing classes to take abroad, be aware of additional course fees for which you may need to plan. These additional fees may be those in courses with lab components, excursions/field trip fees, and internship/experiential opportunities.

Financial Aid

The amount of financial aid applicable to education abroad will depend on your individual financial aid package.  Consult with the Office of Financial Aid to discuss your financial aid package. Take a copy of a program budget (official or unofficial) to the financial aid office to see how much aid you may be eligible for on a particular program. Contact Bryce Johnson and set a time to meet.

Scholarships

There are many scholarships that can help offset the cost of your education abroad program. When planning your education abroad budget, it is important to consider any scholarships you may receive. See below for some that might work for you.

Our exchange partner, Aalen University, announced some scholarships through the German state of Baden-Württemberg. These scholarships can be used at Aalen University. You must apply through the Ivanhoe International Center before March 31, 2025.

Applications must contain:

• CV/Resume

• Letter of Motivation (including information on studies and career so far and which studies are intended at Aalen University)

• Transcripts of Records

• Letter of Recommendation (must be completed by a professor and include information about academic performance and intercultural competences)

• Proof of minimum B2 English skills - not required if native English speaker.

• German Language Certificates if available

• Further Relevant Certificates if available

Click here for a flier with more information

Latin America - FEATURED REGION FOR 2025!

• CIEE Latin American Student Ambassador Scholarship: Embrace Latin culture, history, and language on a life-changing, fully-funded CIEE Latin America study abroad program for Fall 2025 or Spring 2026. Apply early - only 100 awards available!

Asia:

• Freeman-ASIA Scholarship: Notice! Early deadline so plan in advance! For students with demonstrated financial need to go abroad in East or Southeast Asia.

• United States - Japan Bridging Foundation - The United States-Japan Bridging Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization created in 1998. Three core activities comprise the Bridging Foundation’s global  mission: recruiting students interested in study abroad; funding scholarships for study in Japan; and mentoring those students. 

Europe:

• Scandinavia Scholarships: A series of scholarships for study in various Scandinavian countries.

• Sweden Flight Voucher: Apply for a chance to win a free flight to Sweden through GO Overseas.

• University of Minnesota Scholarship & Grant search: A good, general database maintained by UMN

• beGirl.world Global Scholars: beGirl.world Global Scholars will award two (2) $2,000 scholarships to Black female identifying college students who have been accepted to a study abroad program.

• 2025 Douglass-O'Connell Global Internship (formerly known as the Frederick Douglass Global Fellowship), 12 exceptional student leaders will be selected for a transformative eight-week summer internship program in Dublin, Ireland, during which they will expand their understanding of Irish history and culture while gaining practical work experience. 

• Fulbright UK summer institute: A full scholarship Fulbright UK Summer Institutes are three to four week programmes for US undergraduate students, who have no or very little travel experience outside North America. Participants can explore the culture, heritage and history of the UK while experiencing higher education at a UK university.

• GoAbroad.com scholarships page for LGBT Students: A summary of various scholarships available for study abroad and higher education.

• Hispanic Scholarship Fund: Various scholarships available.

• Joy Worldwide: For African American students who are U.S. citizens pursuing study abroad opportunities. Their scholarships range from $500 to $750 and goes towards study abroad programs and incidentals.

• Leverage EDU: LGBTQ Scholarships Around the World

• McDonald’s® HACER® National Scholarship: For students of Hispanic/Latino heritage.

• OnlineU: Guide to scholarships for underrepresented students.

• Pride Foundation: Offer a diversity of scholarships, which encourage students of different backgrounds and educational interests to apply.

• Rainbow SIG Scholarship: The Rainbow Scholarship awards deserving lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) students who aim to participate in high-quality, rigorous education abroad programs.

• Scholarships for Students of Color, Michigan State University: A comprehensive list of scholarships available to students of color considering education abroad.

• Scholarships for LGBTQ+ Students: click link and scroll down on webpage to scholarship section

• Scholarships & Resources for LGBTQIA+ Students: EduMed is not specifically for study abroad, but their website lists dozens of scholarships available for LGBTQIA+ students and some can be used for study abroad.

• Study.com: Use either of these links to apply for the Scholarship for Black Students or the Scholarship for Black Women.

• Udall Foundation - a scholarship specific to Native American students wishing to engage in an international academic activity (study, research, etc.).

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