Financial Arrangements

Fees and payments

The costs associated with your study abroad program are described in the program information sheet and on the program’s Web page.  It will be helpful to plan for these expenses:

1. $100 application fee (non-refundable after you accept admission into a program, and applicable to the study abroad program fee)
2. Non-refundable $200 deposit billed after you accept admission into a program (applicable to the study abroad program fee)
3. Remaining balance of study abroad program fee (housing, meals, field trips, etc.)
4. Tuition and fees  (for the number of credits in which you enroll)
5. Airfare (billed by travel agent)
6. Expenses not covered in the program fee such as spending money, remaining meals, etc. (contact OSA for these estimations)

For most programs, MSU tuition will be charged to cover the academic expenses associated with the program.  MSU students will pay MSU tuition at the same rate as if they took the classes on campus. Non-MSU students will be classified as Lifelong Education students and will pay the Lifelong Education rate according to whether they are Michigan residents or not. You can calculate your tuition charges using the MSU Student Accounts “Tuition, Fees, and Housing Calculator”.

MSU students who are unable to pay the deposit by the due date may apply for a short-term loan with the MSU Office of Financial Aid.  Non-MSU students are not eligible for this service.  If you are an MSU student, you should plan carefully since you can receive only one short-term loan. If you use it to pay your deposit you cannot receive a short-term loan to pay your airfare.

Approximately two months before your program departure date, you will receive an e-mail to your MSU e-mail address notifying you that your bill is ready to be viewed online.  In most cases, this will be the bill for the tuition and fees and the study abroad program fee.  If you are receiving financial aid through MSU, these bills will include appropriate deductions.  The program fee MUST be paid in full prior to departure.  Some MSU students may be eligible for the “MSU Deferment Plan;” if this is your case, please note that the program fee for all programs and tuition for first summer session courses cannot be deferred.   If you are participating in a winter break or freshman seminar program, your program fee bill will be sent one month before departure, but your tuition charge will follow the spring or fall semester tuition billing schedule.

Notification will be sent to your MSU e-mail account.  Make sure you regularly check your MSU e-mail account to learn when your bill is ready to be viewed online (labeled as “MSU eBill Notification”).

If you do not pay your tuition and course fees bill by the due date, you may be dis-enrolled from your courses.  You will receive notification that your schedule has been cancelled.  This means you have been dis-enrolled from your courses, but not the study abroad program.  If you still intend to participate, contact OSA immediately!  If you intend to withdraw but have not submitted your withdrawal in writing, you will remain financially responsible for the program fee until a written withdrawal is received by the Office of Study Abroad.