Understanding How Much Study Abroad Will Cost for You

Q: How much will my IES Abroad program cost?

A: This is a super important question, as we know that finances and budgeting play a large role in your study abroad decision. The answer will depend on a few factors, such as your college or university’s (what we call “home school”) policies on billing, financial aid, and scholarships, all of which I’ll cover in more depth below.

Some universities charge their tuition for students who study abroad. Others will have you pay IES Abroad tuition. The best place to find this information is on your school’s study abroad website, as most have a section dedicated to helping you understand study abroad costs and fee structures. If you cannot find this information online, request a meeting with a study abroad advisor on your campus. And remember, you can start exploring options any time—it’s never too early to start planning and budgeting for study abroad.

Q: My school confirmed that I’m paying IES Abroad for the program. Where can I find the cost breakdown? 

A: To find the cost of your IES Abroad program:

• Navigate to your program on the IES Abroad website and click on “Cost” in the blue bar below the picture.

• Under the “Program Cost” section, you can see the itemized costs for tuition, housing, and health insurance. The blue number under the "Total: is the Program Cost and this number is also a link!

• Click on that number to access a PDF cost sheet. This sheet is a great tool to help you understand the required program costs, additional fees* incurred on the program, and other guidelines to help you create a budget for your program.  

*Note that your school may charge an application fee or a study abroad fee in addition to the costs you will pay to IES Abroad. Many universities’ study abroad websites have cost breakdowns and budgeting tools, so be sure to check there, too!   

Q: What’s included in the IES Abroad Program Cost?

A: IES Abroad will bill either you or your school for your program's tuition, housing, and health insurance. These costs also include predeparture support from your IES Abroad Program Advisor, visa application assistance (if applicable), access to Rosetta Stone to practice your language skills, on-site health and safety support, course-related excursions, access to the IES Abroad alumni network, and more!

Q: What’s not included that I should factor into my budget?

A: Great question! Look back at the "Where can I find the cost breakdown?" question above to see how to navigate to the cost-breakdown PDF I showed you on our website. Once you're there, scroll down to the third section that says “Additional Estimated Expenses for Student Budgeting Purposes.” In this section, you will find a list of expenses associated with your study abroad program that will not be billed to you directly by IES Abroad or your school. We’ve provided an estimate of what you can expect to pay for each category so you can budget accordingly.

For example, you’ll arrange and pay for your flight to your IES Abroad program independently. That way, you can search to find the best deal and flight pattern to your destination. You will also need to budget for meals during your program. Certain housing options include some meals while others do not, so we have outlined an estimated meal cost based on the different housing options. Additionally, you’ll want to have some funds available for on-site transportation (such as a metro pass), course materials, and personal expenses (like toiletries, sightseeing, etc). 

Also, we have a Study Abroad Expense Worksheet and there’s a whole section of your predeparture materials, which you’ll have access to once you’ve applied to a program, that will go into depth about costs you can expect in your daily life abroad!

Q: I receive scholarships and financial aid from my college or university. Can I apply those to my IES Abroad program?

A: By now you won’t be surprised to hear that it depends on a few factors, such as your school’s policies and the type of scholarship(s) and aid you receive.  Your school will have specific guidelines for whether they can transfer your existing scholarships and aid to your IES Abroad program. Be sure to discuss this with your campus study abroad office and financial aid team. If your school needs documentation from IES Abroad about our program costs, just email your IES Abroad Program Advisor and they will help you obtain that information.  

Q: Does IES Abroad offer Scholarships & Aid?

A: Yes! In fact, we offer more than $6 million in scholarships and aid to students. If you attend a private school in our Consortium, you may be eligible for need-based aid from IES Abroad. If you attend a public university in our Consortium and participate in a semester length academic program with us, you will automatically receive the $2,000 Public University Grant from IES Abroad. 

Students (whether attending a public or private school) participating in an IES Abroad program can also apply to be considered for our study abroad scholarships and grants. The best part is that you just need to submit one online application with your information, and this can happen even before you apply to a specific IES Abroad program. We will review it and notify you of all scholarships and aid we determine that you are eligible for. Any funding you receive from IES Abroad will be issued as a credit towards your bill, so it will lower the total cost for your program.

Did we mention you can also receive a discount for studying or interning abroad for two or more terms? That’s right, you can get rewarded the more you go abroad.

If you’ve talked to your school and applied for IES Abroad scholarships and aid and are still looking for funding options, explore our Additional Resources page.

Thanks again to College Relations Manager Emily Colby for her insightful tips. From here, explore our General Tips for Paying for Study Abroad, our Scholarships & Aid, and Additional Funding Resources.