Financial & Scholarship Information
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How much does it cost to study abroad?
Costs for study abroad vary by program type (exchange, program provider, faculty-led), location, and duration.
Consider all of the following items in your budget:
- Tuition, fees, housing, meals
- Passport and visa (if needed)
- Round-trip Airfare, books and supplies, insurance, immunizations
- Local Transportation and personal expenses
Education Abroad Fee
Beginning with the Fall 2025 semester, all students who study abroad through UofL will be assessed a $75 fee.
Financial Aid
Students must file a FAFSA to be eligible for federal financial aid and scholarships. Aid typically applies to fall and spring semesters. Aid for summer or winter programs may vary based on individual eligibility. If you have questions about your financial aid, contact the Office of Financial Aid.
It is important to plan ahead, and understand your current (on-campus) expenses:
- Tuition, housing, meals, parking, gas, bills, going out, shopping, etc.
- Current financial aid and scholarships
- Compare program costs with your on-campus costs
Grants and scholarships awarded by your department or college may also be used to pay for study abroad programs. Contact the department awarding the scholarship for information. For outside scholarships go to our Scholarship page.
Strategies for studying abroad on a budget
- Go off the beaten path- Choose a program in a lower-cost country (Peru, Thailand, Ghana) or a smaller city (Pau not Paris, Cologne not Berlin, Nagoya not Tokyo)
- Choose a semester- Semester programs can be more cost-effective than short-term programs. The per week cost is often lower, and your original college budget may not have planned for summer or winter study.
- Maximize the credits you earn- Talk with your advisor to ensure that you stay on track for graduation.
- Be flexible- Plan and research to find the program that meets your financial and academic needs.
Education Abroad Scholarships
Scholarships are one of the many ways to finance your program. Explore a wide range of scholarships from UofL departments, federal programs and external organizations. They vary in amount and can be based on financial need, merit, location and length of your program, as well as other factors. We encourage you to apply to as many scholarships as you are eligible for, but remember, you are not guaranteed to receive any of these and should also have a financial plan that does not depend on receiving specific scholarships.
Remember: you cannot win the lottery if you don’t buy the ticket. Similarly, you can’t receive a scholarship if you don’t apply in the first place!
Department of Classical and Modern Languages Scholarships
Department of Art and Design Undergraduate Scholarships
Roberson Fund (Study in African Countries)
Fulbright Awards
Gates-Cambridge Scholarship
George J. Mitchell Scholarships
Marshall Scholarships
Rhodes Scholars Program