Costs and Fees

Students attending partner programs will be charged Rochester tuition and accommodation fees for their semester abroad. These charges will appear on your Rochester term bill. Semester exchange program participants will be billed by Rochester for tuition; your host institution will bill you directly for housing.

The on-campus accommodation and dining fees will be removed from student bills by mid-January for the spring term.

The bill won’t reflect the registration for your specific education abroad program, but will show any anticipated or expected financial aid. The standard Rochester 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 it are responsible for the additional costs.

Costs for non-partner programs vary based on inclusions (room, board, tuition, etc.) and living costs in the host country, currency exchange, and other factors. Keep in mind that, for example, studying in Paris, London, or Tokyo can be much more costly than a semester in Bangkok or Leeds.

Financial aid for non-partner programs differs, so consult with your financial aid counselor to determine what types of aid you will be eligible for while abroad and to ensure the aid continues when you return. For more information, visit our Financial Aid page.

Non-partner program participants will be charged an administrative Study Abroad Fee by the University (review more additional expenses below). Students may not take a Leave of Absence and earn study abroad transfer credit.

Students attending non-partner programs will be billed by the program/institution for tuition, room, and fees. Your Rochester bill will reflect the non-partner Study Abroad fee.

Non-partner programs don’t apply toward the University’s Enrollment Policy. If you’re considering participating in a non-partner program, be sure to discuss the Enrollment Policy with an Education Abroad Advisor.

Billing and financial aid options are different from semester and academic year programs.

• Rochester Summer Programs: Once admitted to the program you’ll submit a confirmation deposit to the Bursar’s Office, payable by check or through URePay. If you register for your program by mid-March, the balance of the program fee will be due by April 10. If you register between mid-March to mid-April, your balance will be due by April 18.
• Other Short-Term Partner Programs: Deposit and billing varies by program. Consult with the Center for Education Abroad and the faculty program director.
• Non-Partner Programs: You’ll receive a bill from the study abroad program for tuition and fees.
  • Regular financial aid doesn’t apply for short-term or to non-partner courses/programs. Domestic students who receive financial aid during the academic year should consider applying for summer aid because they may be eligible to receive Summer Pell Grant funding and/or federal loans. Talk this over with your Financial Aid Counselor.
  • RIG, REACH funding, and Discover Grants may be applicable to education abroad. Read the websites for details.
  • If you’re eligible for a Gilman Scholarship and are applying for a summer program, we strongly encourage you to submit a Gilman application by the early decision date, which is normally in early October. You’ll be notified of the outcome in November, which gives plenty of time to plan for your summer abroad.

After being admitted to your education abroad program, your program will let you know by what date you need to confirm participation (normally, two to three weeks after being admitted). For many University of Rochester semester programs, you’ll commit to participating by electronically signing an Intent to Enroll form in your record in the Education Abroad Portal. Signing the form represents a non-refundable deposit. If you sign the form and then do not participate in the program, you will be billed for the fee.

For most non-University of Rochester and short-term partner programs, you’ll commit to participating by submitting a non-refundable deposit, to the non-partner program, or to the University of Rochester Bursar’s Office (for partner programs).

Upon admission, students must inform the Center for Education 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 range from $100 to $1,000 and are covered in acceptance materials. The average is around $500. Deposits come out of the program fee; they are not in addition to the fee.

Students admitted to semester DIS, IES Abroad, and most partner programs will be asked to submit an Intent to Enroll form, rather than submitting a confirmation deposit. If a student does not participate after submitting this form, they will be responsible for the deposit. Students who participate in summer or other short-term programs must pay a confirmation deposit.

Before the start of the term, study abroad programs and universities spend money for students. If a student confirms participation but later decides not to go, they won’t get a refund for the confirmation or housing deposit (if any) and may be charged for any costs that can’t be recovered. Students who are unsure about their plans are encouraged to consult with the Center for Education Abroad before submitting deposits or signing an intent to enroll.

Housing (including damage and security) deposits are charged by some programs or universities. They’re out-of-pocket expenses that typically need to be paid prior to the program start date. These are usually refundable as long as there is no damage to the housing and the student has met the obligations of the housing and program policies and contracts.