|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Financial Matters Financing Study Abroad
Begin your financial planning when you start researching various programs abroad. Use a tool, like this Budget Worksheet to compare ALL of the costs for each of the programs and locations you're considering. Important things to remember about program costs and study abroad:
Studying abroad is an investment in your future. Like any other type of investment, it requires planning, careful management, creativity, perseverance and commitment.
Planning Ahead
Calculate all of your current on-campus costs, starting with your UMass Boston Cost of Attendance. Think about your semester-long and/or annual budget: Add up your rent, meals, tuition and fees, travel and transportation expenses, entertainment, books, supplies, etc. Use this calculation as a baseline for comparison of costs abroad.
It will be helpful to plan for these primary (estimated) costs:
For some programs, there will be additional expenses such as:
If program costs are still unclear, contact the program provider for a full explanation. Determine your needs and interests. Compare the features and costs of various programs to find the best match.
Location & Length of Program:
It's important to keep in mind where you are going and for how long. Living and traveling abroad incurs costs. Prices are also subject to the exchange rate. For the most up-to-date rates, visit XE.com For specific program costs, please contact the program director. Make the program work toward your long-term goals and it will be worth the investment. Apply for financial aid well in advance. Determining your award ahead of time will help you budget accordingly. Crowd Funding for Personal Funding Campaigns Many of these crowd funding platforms may provide you with ways to encourage your friends and family to help you pay for your program. Be sure to check through the details of each of the resources as there are typically fees involved and a portion of the donations to your fund will be kept by the company. Fund My Travel is part of GoAbroad LLC and is an online crowdfunding platform specifically developed to suit the needs of individuals desiring to study or volunteer abroad.  GoAbroad.com is a resource for international education and alternative travel. Through FundMyTravel, GoAbroad helps individuals to plan for and fund meaningful travel experiences abroad. Project Travel is a peer-funding platform that makes educational travel possible. Go Fund Me is a personal online fundraising website for individuals, groups & organizations.
Indiegogo is an international crowd funding site where anyone can raise money for film, music, art, charity, small business, gaming, theater, and more.
Kickstarter is the world's largest funding platform for creative projects.
You can also apply for financial aid and scholarships specifically for study abroad. Please see the Scholarships page for a list of study abroad funding and scholarship opportunities. Also check with the advisors and/or staff for your study abroad program for additional suggestions about financial aid.
*** Study Abroad Advising & Application Fee*** All students participating on Reciprocal Exchange, Affiliate, and Alternate Study Abroad Provider Programs are required to pay a $50 fee. This fee, along with UMass Boston required forms and documents will assure the following: maintenance of fulltime UMass student status while on approved program abroad; WISER remains active; Financial Aid can be applied to overseas program; pre-approval of courses toward the UMass degree program; transcripting; credits will be interpreted and applied to the UMass transcript upon return. In addition, students are provided with ongoing advising throughout the process. Pre-departure orientations are offered the semester before studying abroad. All UMass Boston students are also covered by UMass International Travel & Emergency Insurance while participating on an approved, overseas program. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
