Helpful Resources
Steps for Applying
- Schedule an appointment to meet with Charla Bailey, Director of International Education!
- Obtain a TLU Study Abroad application, complete, and return to Charla Bailey.
- Complete the respective affiliated program application online.
Deadlines
- Typically October 1 to study abroad in the spring semester
- Typically March 1 to study abroad in the fall semester
- Typically March 1 to study abroad in the summer
Be sure to always confirm deadlines with the International Education office.
We know that cost is a significant factor in choosing a study abroad program or choosing to study abroad at all. Costs vary, but many study abroad opportunities cost no more (excluding airfare, insurance, and other expenses related to living abroad) than a term on campus. In order to gauge all expenses, we’ve outlined how TLU aid and scholarships apply to various study abroad programs, and provided a list of additional expenses to help calculate overall cost.
How Will My TLU Aid or Scholarships Apply?
Students can use their academic scholarships, federal aid, and external funding toward a TLU-affiliated program during the long semesters. Performance scholarships and state funding are excluded during the time the student is abroad.
As you are considering the costs, also know that financial aid is available specifically for study abroad. TLU offers scholarships for semester and summer study abroad programs. Many of the program providers offer both need- and merit-based scholarships for which students may apply.
There are also other scholarship sources for students studying in a particular region, pursuing certain types of coursework, or with financial need (students receiving a PELL Grant). Summer program funding is more limited.
Financial Aid
According to the Higher Education Act of 1965, federal financial aid can be applied to study abroad if you are registered as a full-time student and if you will receive credit for your study abroad coursework. Note that the size of your award may be adjusted if the cost of the study abroad program is different than TLU’s tuition.
TLU Scholarships
During the long semesters, students can use their TLU academic scholarships, federal grants and loans, and outside scholarships to help pay for studying abroad. During the summers, the TLU academic scholarships are not available, but the loans are.
Students may apply for TLU Study Abroad Scholarships for semester or summer affiliated programs. All aid is awarded through the Office of Student Financial Services. Students may also talk with them about additional loans to cover airfare and other study abroad expenses.
Affiliated Program Scholarships
- CIEE
- API
- IES
- Japan Exchange: For this exchange, students pay TLU tuition, the shared full apartment housing fee, and the Meal Plan A fee. There are no scholarships available from the provider.
- Harlaxton: Although there are no scholarships offered through Harlaxton College, the fees are reduced for TLU as a partner institution.
Virtually any coursework taken abroad through TLU programs can be transferred as credit at TLU. The process is similar to that of transferring work completed at another college or university. Through consultation with the student’s academic advisor, courses are chosen for the major, supporting work, general curriculum, and/or electives.
Students must earn the TLU equivalent of a “C” or higher in order to earn academic credit. The grades are not calculated into the TLU GPA; however, they are documented on the TLU transcript.
As part of the agreements that TLU has with its study abroad partners, you do not need to do anything to get your transcript—your program will send your transcript when they have processed your grades. However, your study abroad program will not issue a transcript if you have any outstanding charges with them, and TLU will not grant credit without the formal transcript. If you have outstanding fees with TLU, you will not be able to register for courses until those fees are paid.
Transcripts typically arrive one to two months after the program ends. The transferring courses will be added to the TLU transcript during the semester following the student’s return.
Program Deposits, Billing, & Budgeting
Deposits
Students are responsible for submitting any deposits specified directly to their program by the published deadline. For the TLU Faculty-Led Programs, deposits are applied to the overall program fee. Deposits/confirmation deposits charged by affiliated programs are usually applied to overall program costs, but not in all cases. Check with your program.
Affiliated Program Billing
Each affiliated program has a program deposit, which you will pay directly to them. Tuition for your study abroad program, as well as a program fee(s), will be billed directly to you by TLU. Therefore, you should anticipate receiving two bills for studying abroad (the program deposit from the provider and the rest of the program fee from TLU).
Faculty-Led Program Billing
A $300 nonrefundable deposit is due at the time of pre-registration, payable to the TLU Business Office (by cash, check, or credit card), to secure a student’s place in a TLU Faculty-Led program. This deposit will be credited toward the student’s final bill. The program fee invoice will be added to the student’s TLU account in December with at least 40 percent due in January. The program fees typically include airfare, lodging, ground transportation, group admission on planned activities, some meals, and medical insurance.
Kansai Gaidai Billing
Our exchange in Japan, Kansai Gaidai, stipulates that students pay tuition, housing, and meals directly to TLU.
Possible Additional Expenses
- Round-trip transportation to and from your program
- Ground transportation on site
- Passport and visa fees
- Medical examination and immunizations
- International Student ID Card (ISIC)
- Travel Insurance
- Books and other school supplies
- Meals not covered by the program
- Gifts if staying with a host family
- Cell phone rental and usage fees, international calling card, or international calling plan or sim card
- Postage if you want/need to mail anything home
- Optional travel expenses (for personal travel or participation in an optional program excursion)
- Personal expenses (toiletries, laundry, souvenirs, etc.)
Budgeting for Your Study Abroad Program
Studying abroad doesn’t have to break the bank so long as you have a budget and stick to it. Here are a few other things to keep in mind:
- Cost of Living: This can vary greatly from location to location. For example, Buenos Aires is 37 percent cheaper than Minneapolis and 66 percent cheaper than London. For other comparisons, visit expatistan.com.
- Cash Flow: Working abroad while on a program is typically not feasible or allowed. Think about how much income you would be willing to give up while studying abroad. Would you give up more income if you studied abroad in the summer instead of during the semester?