Cost and financial aid questions
How much will it cost to study abroad?
There are so many different kinds of programs, you can definitely find a program that fits your budget. In general, short-term faculty led travel courses cost between $2,000-$5,000, with the median cost being $3,000. Semester program costs vary greatly, with most being about the same cost as a semester at Concordia. Explore specific programs for more details.
How do I fund my program?
Students typically pay for study abroad through a combination of financial aid, scholarship, grants, raised funds and personal funds. Study abroad costs vary depending on the program you select. While some programs are more expensive, the majority of programs are similar to what you would spend at CUW and some may even be less, even including airfare. There are also scholarships and grants available to help students study abroad.
Can I apply my financial aid to my study abroad?
Most financial aid a student receives at Concordia can be applied to a study abroad program. Exceptions may include sports and music scholarships, if your abroad program causes you to miss shows or competitions. Any questions about the applicability of your financial aid to a study abroad experience should be directed to a Financial Aid advisor.
Can I increase my student loans to fund my study abroad program?
Yes, but some criteria have to be met first. Contact Financial Aid to learn more.
Steps for funding your study abroad
1. Select a program
Program costs can vary widely, so selecting a program is the first step. If you budget is something that you are concerned about in the first place, there are numerous semester abroad programs that can actually save you money, even including airfare!
2. Identify your costs
What is the total program cost? Will you have to pay for room and board in addition to tuition, or is room and board included in the cost of tuition? What about air and ground transportation, tour fees, entrance fees, program fees? Review the Budget Sheet for your selected program to help figure out what the program will cost.
3. Complete and email the International Cost of Attendance Form (.DOCX)
This survey is passed on to the Financial Aid office, and is used to adjust your cost of attendance, which may make addition funding options, such as increased loans, available to you the cost of your abroad program.
4. Make an appointment with a financial aid advisor
After completing the form, you should schedule an appointment with your financial aid advisor to discuss options like increasing loan amounts and finding additional scholarships or sources of funding.
5. Explore additional grants and scholarships
There are numerous other sources of funding for study abroad. Additionally, the same general scholarships and grants that are out there are by-and-large applicable to a semester abroad as well.
6. Get creative!
fundmytravel.com is a crowdfunding site that is designed to fund studying and/or volunteering abroad. By engaging your social media tools, travelers can promote their fund raising campaigns to your network of family, friends, professional and personal contacts.
Don’t knock old fashioned fundraising either! Car washes, rummage sales, auctions, and letter campaigns have sent thousands of college students abroad.