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How Much Will it Cost and How it Gets Paid For
1. HOW MUCH WILL IT COST TO STUDY ABROAD?
Goucher Sponsored-Programs
If you participate in a Goucher semester or academic year program, you will pay Goucher tuition. Room and board will vary depending on the program. You will be billed directly by Goucher College’s Bursar and will pay Goucher College as you normally would. “Student Expense Worksheets” exist for each Goucher semester or academic year program. Expense Worksheets state what fees are paid directly to Goucher College and list estimates for additional costs, such as airfare, books, living expenses, and food (if applicable). Expense Worksheets are included in application packets, found behind program fliers on our brochure wall in Dorsey 205, and mailed to parents in a packet of information after you have been accepted. OIS encourages you to read the Expense Worksheet thoroughly and share it with your parents as early as possible.
Students studying abroad on a Goucher-sponsored semester or academic year program must pay a non-refundable study abroad deposit of $500 by November 8 for spring semester or April 7 for fall semester. Students pay study abroad deposits in the Office of International Studies. The $500 study abroad deposit is deducted from a student’s tuition. If a student withdraws from a study abroad program, he or she will forfeit the deposit. Students studying abroad on Goucher-sponsored programs must also pay the $500 enrollment deposit to S.A.S. by the appropriate deadline.
If, due to any unforeseen circumstances or other circumstances beyond the control of the College, a semester, year, or Intensive Course Abroad program is cancelled, either prior to departure from the United States or during the course of the program, or if a student withdraws from a program for any reason, either prior to departure from the United States or during the course of the program, he or she will not be entitled to a refund of any fees paid, including the program deposit, tuition fees, travel fees, program fees or any other fees he or she may have incurred in connection with the program prior to departure or after arrival at the program site.
In most cases, the College forwards program fees to vendors in foreign countries; therefore, it may be impossible for the College to recover such fees in the event of program cancellation or in the event a student withdraws from a program. The College will make good faith efforts to recover such fees and to return any portion of fees that it may recover that may be attributable to a student’s participation in the program. However, the College makes no warranties regarding the recovery of fees and is not liable to a student for any fees that it is unable to recover.
If you participate in a Goucher College Intensive Course Abroad (ICA) during January or May, you will pay Goucher College the total program fee. Each ICA costs approximately $2800-$3500. A $500 non-refundable deposit is due shortly after the application deadline. Dates change every semester. Final payment for ICA programs is ALWAYS due no later than October 31 for January programs and March 31 for May or Summer programs. Please note that it is your responsibility to find out what is included in each ICA program fee. In most instances, items included in the program fee are on the program flier. OIS suggests you talk to the appropriate faculty program directors for specific information.
TRAVEL VOUCHER
All freshmen entering Goucher in the Fall of 2006 or after will receive one travel voucher of $1,200 each to use towards a study abroad program. (Students who participate in the International Scholars Program will receive $3,000 vouchers.) Students may apply their vouchers to Goucher and non-Goucher programs. Vouchers are applied directly to the student account in the event that the student attends a Goucher program; if a student participates in a non-Goucher program, Goucher transfers the voucher amount directly to the sponsoring institution or program provider. Please contact OIS with specific voucher questions.
Programs Sponsored by Other Institutions
If you participate in a winter, summer, semester, or academic year non-Goucher program, you will pay the organization or university sponsoring the program their fees directly. Please be sure to read the sections on financial aid and scholarships pertaining to non-Goucher programs for further information. Non-Goucher semester or academic year study abroad program participants must pay the $500 enrollment deposit to S.A.S. by the appropriate deadline.
2. HOW DOES FINANCIAL AID WORK WITH STUDY ABROAD?
Financial Aid for Goucher Semester or Academic Year Programs
Awarded financial aid may be used as payment for any semester or academic year program sponsored by Goucher College. You must plan EARLY and meet all financial aid deadlines.
The following is a guide to applying for Financial Aid for Goucher sponsored-semester or academic year study abroad programs:
1. By February 15th of the year PRIOR to the year in which you plan to study abroad:
· Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and send it to the Central Processing Service.
· Please note that if you submit your financial aid applications late, available aid may be limited.
· Pick up a "Financial Aid and Billing Information for Students Studying Abroad" handout in the Financial Aid Office. This outlines all steps you need to take, as well as provides you with a space to calculate the total cost of your study abroad experience.
*Please note that the processor must receive all forms by the due date.
2. April (for fall semester and academic year abroad) or November (for spring semester study abroad):
· Apply for any additional loans needed to help pay for billed costs, living expenses, airfare, etc. You may receive aid up to the total amount of your budgeted costs for the year.
· Make an appointment with the Financial Aid Office located in S.A.S. Bring your handout (Financial Aid and Billing Information for Students Studying Abroad) with the bottom half (i.e. total cost of your study abroad program) completed to this meeting.
· If you are attending a Goucher sponsored program, your Goucher financial aid (i.e. academic scholarships and need-based aid) will be applied to your account for your study abroad program.
Financial Aid for Non-Goucher Programs
You cannot apply institutional aid to any non-Goucher program; however, you MAY be able to apply some federal financial aid to non-Goucher semester and academic year programs provided a Consortium Agreement is received. You MUST meet with a financial aid officer in order to determine this. PLAN EARLY. Check with the Financial Aid Office in Student Administrative Services (SAS) to be sure you are on track with all of your paperwork.
The following is a guide to applying for Financial Aid for non-Goucher study abroad programs:
· Follow Steps 1 and 2 above.
· In addition to the guide outlined above for Goucher semester programs, if you are attending a non-Goucher sponsored program, you must complete a Consortium Agreement. This agreement is available in the Financial Aid Office and must be completed well in advance of your departure date. The form is to be completed by the host institution sponsoring your program and the Goucher Registrar. The completed agreement must be returned to Goucher's Financial Aid Office for further processing.
· You must request that any funding you receive be held until you resume your studies here. You may transport federal funds you are receiving, providing the institution you select is eligible to participate in the federal financial aid programs. Most U.S. colleges and universities fit this category. Study abroad organizations may NOT fit this category. If you directly enroll in a foreign institution, you CANNOT utilize federal funds. Furthermore, in order to receive financial aid and keep it throughout a semester or academic year, you MUST be taking at least 12 credits that count for your major, minor, or general education requirements. Therefore, electives will NOT count as part of those 12 credits.
Financial Aid for Goucher College Intensive Courses Abroad and Summer Programs
Goucher loan funds may be available for Goucher College study abroad programs through the Financial Aid Office in SAS to help students who qualify.
Financial Aid for Non-Goucher Winter or Summer Programs
Financial aid is not available for these programs; however, students may apply for alternative loans as a financing option.
3. WHAT SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE FOR STUDY ABROAD?
Scholarships Administered by the Office of International Studies
OIS awards scholarships for Goucher and non-Goucher semester and academic year programs. The amount is usually between $200 and $1000. You can apply for a scholarship when you apply for your program. All you have to do is check the appropriate box on the first page of the application. If you neglect to check the box, you will not be considered for a scholarship.
OIS scholarships are deducted from the tuition bill for Goucher programs. For non-Goucher programs, you will receive a check provided that you do not have a balance on your Goucher College account. In addition, if for some reason, you withdraw from a program, you will have to return the scholarship amount to Goucher College.
Scholarships are also awarded for Goucher College Intensive Courses Abroad and summer programs. Scholarships are NOT available for non-Goucher winter or summer programs.
Scholarships Administered by Other Organizations
Please view the "Guide to Seeking Financial Aid for Study Abroad" on this site. The guide will show you what steps you need to take to look for extra money and scholarships. If you take the time to do some research, you might end up with some extra cash. Start early so you don’t miss deadlines!