Program Cost

STUDY ABROAD CAN BE SURPRISINGLY AFFORDABLE

Studying abroad can cost somewhat less, about the same, or much more than staying at your home institution, depending on a variety of factors and your spending habits. The cost of a program depends on the type of program, tuition at the sponsoring or the host institution, services (such as field trips, resident director, etc.) and other "extras" included in the program, exchange rates, the cost of living in a particular country, and other variables. Whether or not you find a program affordable also depends on your financial situation and that of your parents who help support your education.

UNI, as most other public institutions of higher education, encourages students to study abroad and does its best to keep expenses down to make this experience affordable. To compare the cost of study abroad to the cost of studying at UNI, you may begin with the web site of the Financial Aid Office where you can find the estimated cost of attending UNI for a year. 

EXCHANGES VS. OTHER STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS - A COST COMPARISON

Exchanges.  Exchanges usually are the least expensive way to study abroad.  If the program is a reciprocal exchange, you pay UNI tuition to participate. Your tuition will depend on your residency status (in-state or out-of state) and your level of study (undergraduate or graduate).  Exchange students will receive a U-bill for the tuition portion of the program expenses from the UNI Controller's Office and pay according to the payment schedule.  Students are responsible to pay for housing, food and other expenses on site in the local currency. 

Iowa Regents Programs.  The program price of these programs is listed as a comprehensive fee. The fee usually includes tuition (at the host university) and institutional fees.  Depending on the program, the price may also include field trips or meals.  Semester in Wales includes housing and a bus pass in the program fee. 

The program fee does NOT include and students must budget separately for housing (Australia and Ireland), books, international airfare, in-country travel, medical and accident insurance, International Student Identity Card, rail passes, and personal spending. It is a good idea to be a smart consumer and ask questions in order to figure out your overall budget, the things that you will have to pay for whether or not they are included in the program price. Only then can you determine whether the program is affordable to you (and your parents).

STUDY ABROAD FEE

Semester Programs:	$360
Academic Year Programs:	$480
Summer and Short-term Programs:	$150
Non-UNI Programs (per semester):	$120

This fee was approved by the Board of Regents at their April 2002 meeting for implementation for May 1, 2002 or as soon as operationally possible.

The purpose of the fee is to enhance and maintain the services provided to students by the Office of International Programs. It is through this office that information about, assistance in advising and assistance in participation is provided to students interested in a study abroad
experience.

These services were previously provided through general appropriation funding from the State of Iowa. Due to budget cuts and reversions it became necessary to replace lost state funding with direct fee assessment to participating individuals.

Inquiries about the study abroad fee may be directed to Philip Patton, University Registrar at philip.patton@uni.edu.

DEPOSITS

More on this topic on the "Application and Admission Procedures" page.  

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