Through Santa Clara University's “Home School Tuition Model," nominated students pay SCU tuition when participating in approved programs abroad, earn SCU academic credit, and are eligible for financial aid on the same basis as when they are studying on-campus. Depending on the length and term of a study abroad program (which can be found on the Digital Brochure in the SCU-Approved Program Database), students will either pay:
1.) Study Abroad Quarter Cost
2.) Study Abroad Semester Cost
3.) Summer Abroad Cost
Most study abroad programs in the fall, winter, and spring terms are semester-length programs, thus a majority of students will be charged the semester cost. Semester tuition differs because additional weeks of instruction and additional credit are included in a semester program.
Students on summer programs pay tuition and other fees directly to the program provider or host institution. Tuition and program fees vary by program. Please email us at studyabroad@scu.edu and we will be happy to connect you with the most up-to-date summer costs for a specific program.
| Costs for Study Abroad |
SCU Tuition |
SCU Program Fee |
Total Cost |
||
|
Study Abroad Quarter Cost |
$20,213 |
+ |
$4,164 |
= |
$24,377 |
|
Study Abroad Semester Cost |
$21,963 |
+ |
$6,246 |
= |
$28,209 |
|
Summer Abroad Cost** |
N/A |
+ |
$500 |
= | Varies |
Please Note: Tuition cost is based on the SCU Tuition rates for 2024-25, pending approval of the Santa Clara University Board of Trustees.
Programs Fees Include:
- Basic Housing Abroad
- International Health Insurance
Program Fees May Also Include:
- Administrative Fees
- Academic assessment / accreditation
- Abroad transcript analysis services
- Trackable mailing
- Site assessment visits
- Risk management evaluations
- Academic assessment / accreditation
- On-site student support activities
- International consortium fees
- Mandatory pre-departure orientations
- Study abroad advising
- Study abroad workshops
- Peer Advising services
- Workday maintenance
- Enrollment management services
Programs Fee DO NOT Include:
- Meals
- Passport and Visa Fees
- Airfare
- Damage Deposits
- Taxes
- Insurance Fees
- Housing Upgrades
- Optional Program Excursions
- Application Fees (if applicable)
- Course Fees & Textbooks
Program Upgrades:
Students will be billed by the host institution or program provider for any optional field trips, course fees, or upgrades to basic housing. While Financial Aid packages will be calculated based on the total cost of the program abroad, payment of fees outside of SCU tuition and Study Abroad fee are the sole responsibility of the student.
Students who choose to withdraw after they have committed to SCU Study Abroad will be subject to the SCU Study Abroad Withdrawal fee of $500. In addition, any additional charges incurred by SCU that resulted from a student’s choice to withdraw will be passed to the student. Students may appeal the SCU Study Abroad Withdrawal fee following the appeal process requirements. Appeals must be submitted via email to the Global Engagement Review Committee.
Personal Costs:
Some fees may be required to be paid upfront and out of pocket, regardless of the types and amounts of financial assistance a student has applied for and will be receiving. Some examples of such fees would be:
- Phase 2 application fees (if required)
- Damage deposit
- Insurance fee
- Round trip airfare
- Taxes
- Passport & Visa costs
Distribution of Financial Aid occurs on the same timeline as a regular term at SCU so students may need to plan ahead for these upfront costs.
Students who do not complete the study abroad evaluation by the last day of the quarter following participation in study abroad will result in $300 being charged to the student account.
It is important for students to speak with a financial aid adviser before applying to study abroad, so they are aware of the financial impact of their study abroad decision and any gaps in their budget. The type of study abroad program will often affect students’ financial aid.
Fall, Winter, and Spring Term Study Abroad Programs:
All financial aid is applied against the Study Abroad tuition and fees for fall, winter, and spring term programs. Any disbursed financial aid remaining after all of SCU tuition and fees are satisfied will be refunded to the student or a parent borrower, as appropriate.The Financial Aid Office will disburse financial aid according to Santa Clara University's disbursement schedule, and study abroad programs that are semester or trimester in length will be affected according to this disbursement structure.
The Financial Aid Office allows students to request a financial aid estimate for a study abroad financial aid package at any time, including before you apply to a program. The Financial Aid Office will review the program's total cost, whether it be a Study Abroad Quarter Cost or a Study Abroad Semester Cost, and will adjust your financial aid package accordingly for your estimate. All questions about financial aid should be directed to onestop@scu.edu.
Seeking additional aid? Parents may apply for Federal Direct PLUS Loan or students can consider private alternative loan money. Santa Clara University cannot offer or increase any grant or scholarship.
Summer Study or Intern Abroad Programs:
Summer financial aid is processed separately from the academic year. Students may be eligible for aid for a summer study abroad program even if they were not eligible during the academic year. Students must have completed the FAFSA.
The only funds available for summer study abroad programs are through either the Federal Direct Loan program (if the student meets eligibility requirements) or alternative financing options such as a private education loan.
NOTE: Students must be enrolled at half-time during the summer to be eligible for most forms of summer financial aid available. Students also need to request their disbursed summer financial aid as a refund and then directly pay the abroad program.
All questions about billing for fall, winter, and spring term study abroad programs should be directed to onestop@scu.edu. Questions about summer tuition and fees (outside the SCU program fee) should be directed to the program provider or host institution.
Summer Programs:
Students on summer programs pay tuition and other fees directly to the program provider or host institution. The Summer Abroad program fee is paid directly to SCU, and will be charged to their Student Account via Workday on the same cycle as all other SCU students.
Fall/Winter/Spring Programs: Students will be charged to their Student Account via Workday on the same billing cycle as all other SCU students. The bill will include charges for tuition and the study abroad fee based on a semester or quarter program. Tuition and fees at the host institution will be paid directly by SCU. Any/all financial aid is applied against the Study Abroad tuition and fees. Any disbursed financial aid remaining after all of SCU tuition and fees are satisfied will be refunded to the student or a parent borrower, as appropriate.
Additional Billing Information: Students will be billed by the host institution or program provider for any optional field trips, course fees, or upgrades to basic housing. While Financial Aid packages will be calculated based on the total cost of the program abroad, payment of fees outside of SCU tuition and Study Abroad fee are the sole responsibility of the student.
A Home School Tuition model, used by most private schools, allows for study abroad to align with administrative costs on campus and provides for budget scalability as interest and student enrollment grow. Through SCU’s “Home School Tuition” policy, students pay SCU tuition when studying abroad on SCU Study Abroad Programs, and they earn SCU academic credit on all SCU Study Abroad Programs. All academic credits and grades earned on all SCU-approved study abroad programs are treated as SCU credits and grades. All SCU academic regulations apply to students studying for SCU credit abroad. The courses, credits, and grades are reviewed, approved, and posted on the SCU academic transcript and course grades are calculated into the student’s Cumulative Grade Point Average. SCU students paying Home School Tuition are eligible for financial aid abroad on the same basis as when they are studying at SCU on-campus.
The Home School Tuition policy does not apply to Summer Study Abroad programs, which run outside of the academic year. Students on summer programs pay tuition and other fees directly to the program. The Summer Abroad fee is paid directly to SCU.
Santa Clara follows a Home School Tuition model that includes SCU tuition in addition to a Study Abroad Program Fee. The total of the SCU tuition and Study Abroad Program fee may be more than the direct cost of the program abroad. A student who wishes to participate as an SCU student on an affiliate program and earn SCU credit and grades will pay the Home School Tuition rate.
Why can't I just pay the program directly?
Global study of all kinds is a defining, integral aspect of an SCU education. In order to help make study abroad opportunities accessible to all students, both academically and financially, SCU follows the Home School Tuition Model. Home School Tuition allows the college to award SCU academic credit for all approved study abroad programs and integrates study abroad more fully into the university’s curriculum. SCU students paying Home School Tuition are also eligible for Financial Aid abroad on the same basis as when they are studying at SCU on-campus.
Independent Study Abroad
If a student is interested in paying a lower tuition cost for a fall/winter/spring study abroad program, they will need to determine if they can apply as an independent student to a non-approved program. To learn more about studying abroad as an independent student on a non-approved program, please visit our Policies & Procedures webpage.
The costs of the abroad program may be slightly higher or lower than the regular, on-campus costs, however, the process for submitting payment will remain the same as it always has been. If you have additional 529 questions, you can direct them to the Bursar's Office at 408-551-1000.
Tuition Remission is a benefit to graduate students holding a Research Assistant, Teaching Assistant, or Program/Project Assistant appointment to help alleviate the cost of tuition. The tuition charges, although not segregated fees are waived for eligible graduate students. Tuition Remission is available for all undergraduate and graduate courses offered in any term at the University, excluding ancillary or continuing education courses, and the executive MBA program. Tuition Remission does not include other costs such as books, laboratory, application, service, and other fees. All charges other than tuition must be paid to the University in the same manner as required of other students.
All questions about tuition remission should be directed to Georgina Santiago (gsantiago@scu.edu)