By Alisha Lombardi

Too often students dismiss the idea of studying abroad because they think that they can’t afford it.  In actuality, with proper planning, some effort, and a bit of creativity, students are able to make study abroad an affordable experience.  Many funding opportunities are available for students to help cover the costs of a study abroad program including university scholarships, national scholarship and grants, federal aid, loans and personal fundraising avenues.

Choosing a study abroad program can be a difficult process when considering academic needs along with a financial budget; having an idea of what the total potential expenses of a program are along with potential and expected funding sources will help identify the best program if total cost is a primary concern.  Fortunately, most study abroad programs have program fees and expected costs listed on their websites to help students in the planning process.

Things to consider when exploring programs and budgeting to go abroad:

• Program location: Prices in major cities are significantly more expensive than in some of the outlying towns within close proximity of the city. For example, instead of living in London, consider studying in Glasgow; the price of living there is a fraction of the cost of living in London. Furthermore, by studying in cities just outside of “the city,” students are more likely to have access to a unique, authentic abroad experience.

The exchange rate in your location is important to consider as well.   The US dollar in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East is quite strong, whereas currently in Europe and Australia it hasn’t been as strong, so a program in Spain will probably be more expensive than a program in Costa Rica.

• Length of Program: Short-term programs are almost always cheaper on the whole than semester programs, but semester programs can provide more value per dollar spent, since students usually earn two to three times as much credit for a semester program than they do for a summer program.  Additionally, students who study abroad for a semester can take their Gonzaga scholarships and financial aid abroad with them on Sponsored Programs.  Students should also compare the cost of the study abroad program with the total cost of attending GU for that term.
• Program Features and Amenities:  On-site features, amenities, and administrative support will vary across programs.  It’s important for students to understand that a listed program fee may not be reflective of the total expenses they will end up paying once their program is completed.  Students should determine what expenses are included in a total program fee versus those expenses that will be an out of pocket expense including but not limited to: accommodations, tuition and fees, meals, in-country program related ground transportation, tours/excursions, airfare, travel documents, books & supplies, administrative fees, immunizations, and personal spending money for  social activities, daily living, and travel.

Living like a local can potentially reduce personal expenses abroad.  By observing how locals live in terms of where they eat, where they shop, and investing time into living like them, students are likely to save money in the long run.  Additionally, students should research discount programs that are available to student travelers while in foreign countries– the Study Abroad office and study abroad student alumni are good resources to consult.

• Funding: Many competitive scholarship programs offer money to students going to specific locations like Asia or Latin America, or studying a specific subject, like a critical language.  A student might consider one of these scholarship programs over a more popular location in order to potentially receive a larger award.   Additionally, there is a national funding database for students to find other sources of funding listed on the Study Abroad website. In most cases, funding will not come from one source, but rather from various sources, so students should plan to apply to as many scholarships as possible and meet with the Financial Aid office to discuss potential eligibility.  We also encourage students to think outside the box when trying to fundraise.
• Deadlines and due dates: application deadlines, pre-program expenses and award disbursements are important to consider when determining a budget.  Administrative fees, program deposits, travel documents and airfare may be expenses students will be paying up front before they actually receive any scholarship or financial aid they’ve been awarded. Students should confirm when payments are due, inquire about installment plans if they are heavily reliant on financial aid and make a plan for paying for study abroad related items prior to the semester they travel abroad.

It is recommended that students start planning early and are realistic when addressing funding needs. There are many options and places for students to study, and we recognize each student has specific interests and needs when exploring study abroad programs and the goal is to help the student find the best program and destination that fit their needs and their budget.

This is the third part in an 11 part series on study abroad. We will talk about how to choose your program, budgeting, safety abroad, internships, service learning, Gonzaga-in-Florence, Gonzaga-in-Paris, Faculty-Led, Sponsored Programs, and Returning from Study Abroad.