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Creating A Plan of Action
- Determine which programs fit with your academic, professional and personal goals and aspirations.
- Meet with your faculty/academic advisor to discuss these options and how they fit into your four year plan.
- Prepare an estimated budget for the programs you are interested in.
- Discuss options for funding with the Financial Aid Office and the Office for Education Abroad Staff.
- Apply for scholarships, and other forms of applicable funding.
Financing Study Abroad
Study abroad is a significant financial undertaking. The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University strive to keep the cost of studying abroad as close to that of a semester on-campus as possible, but it is important to plan for this important endeavor. With increasing fuel costs and the declining dollar, this has become more important in recent years.
When participating on a CSB|SJU sponsored program, study abroad participants will pay the same tuition and fees as on-campus students. In addition, an International Program fee is assessed which covers the cost of housing, administration, excursions, on-site transportation and other program activities. Food is included on some programs. (See the specific program brochures for more details.) It is important to not only consider the cost of tuition, room and board, but also the additional costs of travel, personal spending, sightseeing and souvenirs. International airfare is not included in the charges paid to CSB|SJU.
Students should plan early for their study abroad experience. Financial aid and scholarships are available to help with the costs, but must be searched out well in advance.
Financial Aid
The Office for Education Abroad will notify the Financial Aid Office of a student's plan to study abroad after acceptance to a program. An adjustment will be made to these students’ budgets to reflect additional expenses they will incur. Students' financial aid authorization may be used to help meet expenses associated with CSB|SJU study abroad programs.
All students participating in CSB|SJU study abroad programs may apply for financial aid to assist with their expenses. When participating in one of CSB|SJU's study abroad programs, students' current scholarships and grants remain entirely active, with the exception of work-study. Students may also be eligible for additional grants, loans or scholarships from outside agencies to help defray costs.
If you have questions about financing your study abroad that are not answered here, the Office for Education Abroad encourages you to make an appointment with a member of the CSB/SJU Financial Aid Office staff.
Financial Aid for Summer Programs
CSB|SJU does not award institutional grants or scholarships for summer programs. Instead, the tuition rate is set lower than that charged for Fall and Spring semesters. Therefore, financial aid for summer programs is typically limited to student and parent loans.
Your eligibility and choice of loans depend primarily on how many credits you will be taking. If you will be enrolled in six or more credits, your parents could borrow through the Federal PLUS Loan or you could borrow through the Federal Stafford Loan. However, most students will “reserve” their Stafford loan funds for the academic year (Fall & Spring). If you will be enrolled in less than six credits, you are limited to non-federal alternative loans.
Students who receive funding through the Federal Pell Grant or Minnesota State Grant during the academic year may be eligible for these grants during summer. You must inform the CSB/SJU Financial Aid Office that you will be enrolled, and you will need to file the upcoming year’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered.
Costs
The total cost of a study abroad program will depend on many factors, including your destination country, the type and length of your program, and what is included in the program cost. Be sure to read the "Program Fees" section on page two of the program brochures for the specific program you are investigating.
As an example, we will walk you through the Program Fees information for the Australia program:
The program fee for 2007-2008 was $17,772 (Tuition: $13,019 + On-campus Fees: $246 + International Program Fee: $4,257 + Program surcharge: $250). The program fee will increase by the same percentage as tuition, room and board on campus for the 2008-2009 academic year. The fee is subject to change due to unanticipated increases in expenses and exchange rate fluctuations.
INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAM FEE AND SURCHARGE:
- CSB|SJU tuition for the semester
- Orientation program expenses
- Housing while the program is in session
- On-site tuition and instructional costs
- Course-related excursions
NOT INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAM FEE:
- Round-trip airfare
- Food/meal expenses
- Independent travel and housing
- Souvenirs or other personal expenses
- Passport
- Medical/Travel Exams/Consultations
OTHER FACTORS TO CONSIDER:
- Destination: Talk with student Ambassadors, your Faculty Director or OEA staff about the locations you are considering. On-site costs (food, recreation, etc.) and the upfront costs of getting to that destination (airfare) can vary greatly. For example, studying abroad on the China program is considerably less expensive on-site than studying abroad in London. However you may find that airfare to London is less expensive than airfare to BeiBei, China.
- Exchange rate: Remember that currency exchange rates fluctuate constantly. Visit an online currency converter to stay abreast of the latest rates.
- Program duration/timing: While short-term programs may be less expensive, you may find that there are more resources available to you for semester- or year-long study. Though the sticker price for a semester abroad may be more, the per day cost can be much less as costs like your plane ticket do not change greatly according to the length of time you are abroad. Practice economies of scale and gain a longer immersion time.
- External/Consortium Programs:
Cost Estimate Worksheet:
Download and use this sample budget worksheet to help you sort through the various costs you may encounter through studying abroad.