What Does Study Abroad at SCU Cost?
The cost of study abroad at SCU aligns with on-campus tuition and on-campus standard double room costs. During the academic year, students can choose quarter-length or semester-length study abroad programs. For quarter-length programs, students pay the same tuition and fees as they would for a quarter on-campus. For semester-length programs, which last fifteen weeks and offer fifty percent more academic credit, costs increase to reflect more time and credit. There are a number of national and SCU study abroad scholarships for which students are strongly encouraged to apply.
Tuition and program fees vary by program. Typically, financial aid cannot be applied to summer programs, but there may be study abroad scholarships available. Please email studyabroad@scu.edu and we will be happy to provide you with the most up-to-date summer costs for specific programs.
What Do Students Pay?
Students whose applications are nominated (approved) by SCU pay tuition and fees directly to SCU just as if they were on campus. All federal, state, and institutional financial aid can be applied to study abroad.
For summer programs, students pay tuition and other fees directly to the program provider or host institution.
Costs and financial aid eligibility apply only to students studying abroad through SCU on approved programs.
| Costs for Study Abroad |
SCU Tuition |
SCU Program Fee |
Total Cost |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Study Abroad Quarter Cost |
$20,920 |
+ |
$4,310 |
= |
$25,230 |
|
Study Abroad Semester Cost |
$22,670 |
+ |
$6,465 |
= |
$29,135 |
|
Summer Abroad Cost** |
N/A |
+ |
$500 |
= | Varies |
Note: Tuition cost is based on the SCU Tuition rates for 2025-26, pending approval of the Santa Clara University Board of Trustees.
Programs Fees Include:
- Standard Housing Abroad
- International Health Insurance
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)
- 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.
Withdrawal Fee:
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.
Study Abroad Evaluation:
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.
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)