Resources for Parents—Financial Information

Types of Programs

Rochester students may choose from a wide variety of study abroad programs. These programs fall into two categories: those which are sponsored by the UR, and those which are not. This distinction has several consequences, which are detailed below.

Click here for a list of current UR-sponsored programs.

UR students are permitted to go on study abroad programs offered by other U.S. universities or institutions. There are more than 4,500 of these programs world-wide. Credit may not be transferable from all study abroad programs. It is essential that your son or daughter consult with a study abroad adviser about this.

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Why Students Choose UR-Sponsored Programs

  • UR Programs are carefully selected by faculty to meet the needs of our students. UR faculty and administrators have particular in-depth knowledge of these programs' curricula through their own research interests or personal experience. 
  • Grades earned on a UR-sponsored program will be shown on the UR transcript, although for the most part, they ill not be calculated into the grade point average. Grades earned on non-UR programs will not be shown on the UR transcript, nor will they be calculated inot the GPA. 
  • UR program applications are managed and coordinated by the Center for Study Abroad. Our office is the primary liaison between students and program sponsors. 
  • On a UR-sponsored program, elective transfer credit is automatic upon completion of approved coursework with a C or better (all students need to obtain appropriate faculty permission for overseas coursework to count towards a major, minor, or certificate program). 
  • Students who participate in UR-sponsored programs are eligible for additional special scholarships. 

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Why Students Choose Non-UR-Sponsored Programs

  • Although the minimum overall GPA for applying to UR-sponsored programs have more stringent requirements. Students may find that they have more flexibility with non-UR programs.
  • For some students, particularly those who do not receive any merit or need-based scholarships from the UR, the overall cost of the program may be lower.
  • No college or university can offer a program in every country. Allowing students to choose from the more than 4,500 options available opens every possibility.

Financing a Study Abroad Experience

Costs

UR Programs: 

All students studying on UR-sponsored programs will be charged UR tuition and room costs for their semester(s) abroad. These charges will appear on the student's term bill. The bill will not reflect the registration for your son or daughter's specific study abroad program. The bill will also show any anticipated or expected financial aid. The standard UR housing charge covers the basic housing level that the program offers, generally with one or two roommates. Some programs offer optional premium housing, but students who choose to take advantage of such housing are responsible for any additional costs. 

Non-UR Programs:

For non-UR programs, each program has a different fee depending on what the program includes (room, board, tuition, etc.), cost of living in the host country, currency exchange, and other factors. Optional expenses, such as additional travel, restaurant dining, visa fees, and souvenirs are not considered when calculating education costs for the semester/year. These "extras" are the student's responsibility. Students on non-UR programs will receive a bill from the UR Bursar's Office for the $1,398 study abroad administration fee.

Please keep in mind that studying in Paris, London or Tokyo, for example, will prove much more costly than a semester in Jerusalem or Lima.

Financial Aid

Since each student's financial situation is different (as is the cost of every program), it is the responsibility of each student who receives financial aid to meet with a financial aid counselor prior to studying abroad. Cost estimates are based on figures calculated by the Study Abroad Office in consultation with program sponsors. These figures usually include tuition, fees, housing, board, personal expenses, international airfare, books, and medical insurance.

In order to receive Federal Perkins, Nursing, or University loans, students must make arrangements for the disbursement of these loans in their absence. They must sign a promissory note, available in the Financial Aid Office before they leave campus.

UR Programs:

On average, a student's UR need-based grant will remain the same for a semester or year at UR and the semester or year on study abroad. In fact, it may even increase. The family's contribution for the semester would also remain roughly the same. In general, other financial aid (merit-based scholarships, federal grants and/or loans and state grants) will carry over to cover the cost of the study abroad program. 

Non-UR Programs:

Students who study on non-UR programs will lost all University of Rochester merit and need-based grants and scholarships while on a non-UR study abroad program. No UR-administered aid is available for study on programs sponsored by other colleges or universities. It is essential to visit the Financial Aid Office before leaving campus to ensure the continuation of this aid upon return to UR. Other financial aid (federal grants and/or loans and state grants), will generally be available to cover the cost of a non-UR program, if the program meets the criteria outlined above. Students must complete a consortium agreement before leaving the country to ensure payment to their host institution. 

Study Abroad Status

All UR students studying abroad who wish to receive academic credit for their work are placed on study abroad status. Study abroad status maintains the student's classification as a full-time, matriculated, University of Rochester student. All students studying on non-UR sponsored programs are assessed an administrative fee of $1398 per semester which is charged to the term bill. This fee partially covers costs incurred by the University for administrative services in connection with study abroad. It guarantees that credit will be awarded for courses taken abroad when we receive an official transcript and course approval forms when appropriate. Students may not declare Inactive Status (used for a leave of absence from UR) and receive academic credit from a study abroad program.

Non-refundable Deposits

Once students are admitted to programs, they are required to inform the Center for Study Abroad and the program sponsor of their plans as quickly as possible. Many programs ask for a non-refundable deposit to hold a student's place in the program. Deposits usually are not in addition to the program fee, but are part of it. Financial aid cannot pay a student's deposit. In most cases, the deposit is sent directly to the program sponsor. Deposits range from $100 to $1000 and will be discussed in acceptance materials. The average is $300.

For students admitted to IES programs:

Upon admittance to an IES program, UR students will be asked to submit an Intent to Enroll form, rather than submitting the $500 confirmation deposit. If a student submits the Intent to Enroll form and subsequently decides not to participate in the program, they will be responsible for the $500 deposit. 

Billing and Refunds

Students participating in UR-sponsored programs are charged UR tuition and room costs. Those students participating in non-UR programs are billed by UR only for the Study Abroad fee; they are billed for the program directly by the sponsor.

Students studying abroad in the fall semester are billed in July; students studying abroad in the spring semester are billed in December. For non-UR programs, other payment options may be available. However, in most cases, sponsoring institutions must pay your costs to the overseas program before you leave the U.S., so you will be expected to pay the balance of your program fee prior to going on the program.

All anticipated financial aid should be correctly reflected on the bill, if your son or daughter receives aid, and netted against the study abroad charges. Sometimes a student's aid package will exceed study abroad charges. The difference will be refunded to cover out of pocket study abroad expenses (e.g., airfare, meals) once the aid is available. This usually is not until after the beginning of the semester at UR. Hence, students should not plan on having this money to pay for initial expenses. They may have to front the money themselves. Students should discuss the possibility of a refund with the Bursar and the Financial Aid Office prior to studying abroad and make arrangements for disbursement of the refunded money (that is, where to send it and to whom). The Bursar's Office may be able to advance funds to students to cover airfare or other related expenses prior to departure, provided that the student's financial aid application is complete. In general, students should plan to cover at the least the first month's expenses.

Students participating in a non-UR program need to complete a consortium agreement in order to apply any federal or state aid toward the cost of their program. Before financial aid can be credited to their account, the Bursar's Office will need to verify their registration with the consortium school. Registration cannot be verified until the program start date. A refund cannot be issued until registration has been verified. In Section 3 of the consortium agreement, the student indicates how their refund check should be made payable. If the student wants the University to issue payment to their study abroad program, they must indicate this in Section 3. If Section 3 is left blank, the refund will be made payable to the student and mailed to their billing address.

Students sometimes receive outside scholarships from study abroad program sponsors (e.g. IES, CIEE, or ASE). These are credited to the student's account as a discount on the study abroad program fee.

Occasionally, students cannot be registered for Study Abroad because there are outstanding charges on their account. This is called a financial hold and must be cleared before a student can register for study abroad. Please contact Bursar's Office for details.

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Other Important Information

Mandatory Pre-departure Meetings for Students

Every semester the Center for Study Abroad organizes a pre-departure orientation for students studying abroad the following semester. The orientation will begin with an on-line component on Thursday, February 28th, and will include a mandatory group meeting on Thursday, February 28. The meeting will be repeated on Thursday, March 21 and Friday, April 5. Students are required to attend one of these meetings. Students must attend even if they have not yet been admitted to a program. The agenda covers topics such as the UR transfer credit policy, fellowships and scholarships for post-graduate work, and how to contact various UR offices. Study abroad returnees speak about their experiences and answer questions about safety, packing, money, traveling, and health and cultural issues. All students are given predepature packets containing much valuable information; they can share it with you, and then take it overseas with them as a resource guide. If you would like a copy of the Pre-departure Guide for your own use, please contact our office. Students must complete the on-line orientation by May 1, or they will not be permitted to study abroad.

Taking Care of Business While Still at UR

We often remind students to take care of all business before they leave the UR campus. Some things already mentioned are course approvals, promissory notes, and financial aid concerns. It is much easier for students to contact professors and staff members, obtain necessary signatures, sign important forms in person, rather than from a distance.

Insurance

Medical Insurance:

Students need to have adequate health insurance. Check your existing health insurance coverage to find out if the student will be covered during the stay abroad, and whether any special conditions apply. If the student is insured through the University of Rochester Health Service, this coverage will extend overseas. In any case, make sure you and the student know how this system works: how bills are paid, in the case of a medical emergency, and how to access routine treatments. Some plans include "reunion" coverage in the event that a family member wishes or needs to fly to an overseas destination.
The International Student Identity Card (ISIC) provides basic coverage, including emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of remains. It is available from travel agencies such as Tradewinds Travel (585-426-0560) or Town & Country Travel (800-747-2850).
In addition, we highly recommend that students consider purchasing personal liability insurance against injury or damage caused by or resulting from students' acts or omissions during enrollment in any program is highly recommended.
Should students require medical attention abroad, it may be necessary for them to have sufficient cash on hand to make payment at the time of treatment since the foreign physician and/or hospital may not be able to process medical bills through an American insurance company. In such cases, they should obtain a receipt to submit with their insurance claim for reimbursement upon return to the US. It may also be helpful to carry a few blank claim forms in case they should need them while abroad.


Property Insurance:

Student travelers should have insurance to cover at least partially any loss of money because of trip interruption or cancellation, as well as loss of baggage and personal effects either while traveling or living in residence halls. Theft or property loss from negligence is not an altogether uncommon occurrence for the inexperienced traveler, and students are well-advised to take some preventative measures.
The University of Rochester is not liable for damage or loss of personal property. Many homeowner insurance policies contain a clause about this coverage extending worldwide. Normally the insurer will require a copy of the police report filed at the time of loss before they will consider any claim. Contact your insurance agent regarding property insurance. Insurance of all kinds will be discussed at the Study Abroad Pre-departure Orientation.


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Contact Information

Center for Study Abroad
Jacqueline Levine, Assistant Dean & Director
Heidi Kozireski, Counselor
Ted Pagano, Counselor
William Six, Administrative Assistant
Dewey 2-147
Phone: (585) 275-7532
Fax: (585) 461-5131
E-mail: abroad@mail.rochester.edu
Bursar's Office
Contact: Kathy Blackmon
Phone: (585) 275-3931
Fax: (585) 461-3356
E-mail: bursar@admin.rochester.edu
Financial Aid Office
Contact: Amanda Carter
Phone: (585) 275-3226
Fax: (585)756-7664
Web Site: http://www.enrollment.rochester.edu/financial/officeinfo.shtm

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