Financial Information

Education Abroad Fee: For each term that a student studies abroad, he/she will be charged a $300 study abroad fee (for independent programs) and a $35/cr. hour fee (for faculty-led programs). All EIU fees will be billed to the student's account.

Program Costs: We have programs that start as low at $5,300 (everything budgeted in) a semester to as much at $25,000 (everything budgeted in) depending on where they decide to go. Fees payable and how they are paid depend on the program. Payment information is available on the program's budget sheet (cost breakdown), which is linked from the program's information page.

Financial Aid
Most financial aid applies for study abroad, including some scholarships. The MAP grant also applies. Students should speak to a financial aid counselor if they receive financial aid to would like to discuss all aspects of how it applies to a particular study abroad program. In addition to the FAFSA form that must be filled out, a Consortium Agreement should be filled out and brought to the study abroad office to be processed (for non-partner programs).

Withdrawal
Students wishing to withdrawal from their program should contact the Office of Study Abroad to learn the consequences of withdrawing. The EIU refund policy is outlined in his/her application packet. Read this carefully! Penalties can be stiff. At most foreign universities, students will not be refunded any fees paid.

  • For Faculty-led and certain "Special" Programs, students have up until the application date to withdraw and only be charged a $50 processing fee.  If they decide to withdraw after this date however they will be charged the whole cost of the program.
  • For most other Independent Programs, students will have until 30 days before their program starts to withdraw and will only be charged the $50 processing fee..  If they decide within 29 days or fewer, they will be charged the whole cost of the program.

Travel expenses

  • All students must have a current passport. If a student does not have current passport, they must apply for one. They can do so at a county courthouse or obtain an application online.
  • Some students must also apply for and obtain a visa for their stay abroad. The student should contact the study abroad office for questions as to whether they must obtain a visa.
  • For most programs , students are responsible for their own airfare to their study abroad location and for their return trip. The cost of the travel depends on where the student is studying and for how long. It is recommended that students provide the travel information to the study abroad office after it has been confirmed. The study abroad can offer helpful places to find inexpensive flights.

Accommodation Costs: These costs will depend on the program or even the country in which students choose to live. Again, please refer to program's information page and budget sheet.

  • On campus accommodation - the student will usually pay for the semester to the institution where they are studying. Students may also be charged monthly installments payable to the institution organizing their accommodation.
  • Off campus accommodation - students will pay rent monthly, along with the costs of utilities.
  • Host family- students are usually responsible for paying directly to their host family monthly fees for housing and meals.

Transferring money: The best source of obtaining money while studying abroad is an ATM card, which allows you to use or obtain cash from an account in the US. Credit cards are also useful and should be kept in case of emergency.  Have your student leave their credit card numbers with you in case they are lost or stolen.  The student can then call you and have you cancel these immediately.  This plan sometimes works better than having the student trying to call a US credit card company from abroad.  A student should also leave the account numbers if the need to add money should occur. Money can also be transferred via money transfer services, but usually at a fee.

  • Tip: Have your student inform the bank/credit card companies about his or her plans to study abroad, so they will not shut off use of the card because of strange activity abroad.
  • Tip: All study abroad students attend a mandatory  departure orientation.  They have receive important information at this meeting.  They also receive a student handbook to study abroad.  You may want to look over it with your student before he or she departs.