Financial Planning

Cost

One of the top concerns students and families have about global education is cost. It is important that students understand how cost works with our programs and research possible funding opportunities.

For all Valpo-approved semester and year-long study abroad programs, students pay tuition and general fees directly to Valparaiso University as they normally would here on campus. Students and their families can keep the same payment plan with the Financial Aid office during the term a student is abroad. Most Valpo scholarships and financial aid will apply toward the tuition, with the exception of some scholarships that require students to be on campus. This means that most students pay the same academic cost as they would at Valpo. Students should meet with their Financial Aid advisor when planning for their time abroad to determine what the exact cost will look like with their aid package applied. The Financial Aid office can also share any other options available for funding study abroad. Other costs will vary. Students should consult program cost sheets and their study abroad program advisor for more specific cost information and estimates of out-of-pocket expenses.

VALPO STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM COST INFORMATION

Please consult the linked document below to find budget sheets for all active Valpo abroad programs. Scroll through the sheets to find the program you are looking for and easily compare program cost information.

Estimated Cost Sheets

Room & Board

For some programs, students will pay housing (and in some cases board) to Valpo, while for other programs they pay the host directly. Be sure to check the program information and budget sheet to determine your housing costs.

Personal & Travel Expenses

Students should reference program-specific information for recommendations on personal spending amounts. These expenses vary widely from country to country, as the cost of living is different around the world. Furthermore, students should budget for flexibility in variable exchange rates for the country they are visiting.

It is impossible to determine what each student will spend, and individual spending habits vary from person to person. The amount on the cost sheet will give students a good idea of what they should plan to spend. Students should take some time to think through their individual spending habits — Study Abroad staff and students who have studied in that location previously can help — and adjust the amounts accordingly.

Many students wish to take advantage of the many travel opportunities during an academic term abroad. Travel estimates will vary depending on the interests of each participant and desired locations. Students should plan accordingly.

Additional Fees:

Students participating in a Valpo Study Center program will pay a center program fee that covers accommodation, group travel, cultural excursions, and social activities arranged throughout the term abroad. They will not pay housing or meal plan to Valpo. Please see the Center budget sheets for estimated costs. The program advisor can also go over cost information in more detail.

At the time of application, all students pay a one-time $75 non-refundable administrative fee. This supports the OIP – Study Abroad as they work with you and prepare you to study abroad in addition to the support they provide while you’re abroad and even after you’ve returned. Some of these services include, but are not limited to:

  • Program advising and support
  • Scholarship assistance (if applicable)
  • Maintaining Valpo enrollment status while students study abroad
  • Pre-departure preparation & orientation
  • Site-specific orientation
  • Monitoring world events and U.S. State Department reports on program locations
  • Emergency assistance while abroad (as needed)
  • Post-program programming and assistance
  • Non-Valpo program support

Payment Policies and Student Account Management

 A $75 non-refundable administrative application fee is submitted to the OIP – Study Abroad via online at the time of application. Application fee amounts and policies are not negotiable. The application fee submitted to the OIP – Study Abroad will either count as a fulfillment of the application process or forfeited to OIP – Study Abroad as a processing fee if you do not enter the program.

For semester or academic year programs, billable costs will be posted to your Valpo Student Account and will be subject to Valpo payment policies and deadlines. All students need to manage their student accounts charges online.  You will not receive a paper invoice.  Program fees for Spring Break and Summer programs are due by the deadline communicated in official acceptance e-mails to the student’s Valpo e-mail address and any changes or updates will also be communicated by e-mail.

The OIP – Study Abroad accepts credit/debit card payment through Via or at the Cashier’s Office, as well as personal checks, cashier’s checks, and money orders (payable to “Valparaiso University”) for the application fee payment. Money orders can be obtained for a fee at any bank or certain department and grocery stores. The OIP – Study Abroad does NOT accept cash.

Withdrawal/Refund Policy

  1. All withdrawal notifications must be documented in writing and submitted to the OIP – Study Abroad. Valparaiso University reserves the right to withdraw you from a program if you fail to complete requirements, fail to attend the general and site-specific orientation, or as otherwise set forth in your Student Conduct Agreement.
  2. The application fee is non-refundable after submission. With your commitment to participate, you are making a financial commitment to study abroad. You are committing to pay for the full cost of the program. After submitting your commitment, any subsequent withdrawal from the program for any reason will result in you being responsible for paying all non-recoverable costs associated with the program.  Recoverable costs are all costs that Valparaiso University or vendors are able to refund to you.  Generally, the closer to departure you withdraw, the greater the non-recoverable costs.  The OIP – Study Abroad will make every attempt to recover all possible funds to minimize the financial impact of your withdrawal. All students are advised to consider purchasing trip cancellation insurance to protect against financial loss due to unforeseen events.
  3. The OIP – Study Abroad will assist you with any administrative matters resulting from your withdrawal.
  4. Special circumstances for withdrawal/refund pertaining to program cancellation:
    1. Travel Warnings Prior to Departure: If the Department of State issues a Travel Warning after you apply but prior to your departure, the Travel Warning is just one factor in a series of factors to determine whether or not to cancel the program. The Director of Study Abroad Programs, in consultation with Valpo General Counsel, the Provost’s Office, and any other stakeholders as needed, will determine whether conditions warrant withdrawal of students or cancellation of the program. If a student decides to withdraw or Valpo cancels a study abroad program after a Travel Warning is issued by the U.S. Department of State prior to departure, all recoverable costs will be refunded.
    2. Travel Warnings after a Program has Begun: If the U.S. Department of State issues a Travel Warning after the program has begun, the Travel Warning is just one factor in a series of factors to determine whether to cancel the program. The Director of Study Abroad Programs, in consultation with Valpo General Counsel, the Provost’s Office, and any other stakeholders as needed, will determine whether conditions warrant withdrawal of students or cancellation of the program. If the program is canceled while in progress, any recoverable costs will be refunded to the student, and every effort will be made to complete the academic program on campus.

Managing Financing Before Departure

As routine policy, the OIP – Study Abroad at Valpo shares a budget with the Financial Aid Office for each program abroad.  This budget is an estimate of your expected expenses for your particular program.  In addition to the billed program costs, the program budget allows Financial Aid to consider other expenses such as airfare, room and board, ground transportation, and miscellaneous expenses, which are not billed directly. Your financial aid package is based on a very individualized analysis of your financial situation.  You should contact the Financial Aid Office in order to discuss the specifics of your financial aid package.

Students intending to make program payments with financial aid, are held accountable for the full cost of the program even if they do not receive some or all of their anticipated aid.  Students who plan to make program payments using financial aid and who subsequently withdraw from the program are held accountable for the portion of non-recoverable costs articulated in the “Withdrawal/Refund Policy.”