Cost can be a huge factor in a successful study abroad adventure. By understanding costs upfront, you can make informed decisions, explore funding options, and choose a program that’s both exciting and financially sustainable.
How much does it cost?
The cost of studying abroad varies depending on the program, location, and the specific details of your experience. Costs can be higher, lower, or comparable to the cost of attendance at UMass.
UMass study abroad students do not pay UMass tuition and fees (“home school fees”)—instead, students who study abroad will pay Education Abroad Expenses which may include the items below.
- Program Fee, including application fee and confirmation deposit or,
- Exchange Tuition Fee or,
- Direct Enroll university tuition fee, and
- Global Education Fee*
- Round-trip airfare
- Housing, if not included in the program fee
- Meals, if not included in the program fee
- Books and study materials
- In-country transportation
- International cell phone plan or SIM card
- Visa or other immigration requirements (varies for each country)
- Passport, if you need to apply or renew
- Immunizations (depending on destination)
- Personal costs including travel, medical care, etc.
All students participating in a semester, academic year, calendar year, summer and winter program are charged the Global Education Fee by the Office of Global Affairs. This fee cannot be waived, and once you commit to your program on UMass Abroad, it is nonrefundable.
For Academic Year 2026-2027, the Global Education Fee is:
- $460 for summer or winter
- $1100 for one semester
- $1595 for academic year or calendar year
- Students participating in two different, semester-length programs will pay $1100 for each semester
What does the fee cover?
- Comprehensive, professional advising based on your academic, personal, and financial needs from program selection, pre-departure and until your return to UMass.
- UMass Emergency International Travel Insurance
- Maintaining UMass enrollment while abroad
- Study abroad transcript processing, including credit evaluation and transfer to UMass
- 24/7 emergency support while abroad, including monitoring world events for health and safety conditions around the world
- Curation and management of study abroad program options approved for UMass students reflecting diverse locations and academic offerings. Each program is vetted for safety, academic rigor, affordability, and overall student success.
To compare your cost of attendance and UMass to the cost of various programs and to assess your financial resources, download this budget workbook.
One factor that affects the costs of a study abroad experience is the cost of living in that location. For example, living in London is far more expensive than living in Bangkok. Use a Cost of Living Comparison Tool to explore how expenses differ around the world.
Explore our Deals and Discounts and Affordable Adventures for budget-friendly programs!
How do I pay for it?
Students are responsible for paying all Education Abroad Expenses themselves.
The billing and payments of your study abroad costs depend on the type of program you choose and term you are going. While planning, review our Glossary of Terms below to understand billing, payments, and using Financial Aid for your term abroad.
- Partner Program and Direct Enroll university programs invoice students directly, and students are responsible for paying the Program Provider or Direct Enroll university. Only the Global Education Fee will be charged to your UMass bursar bill. Program Fees are typically due 2–3 months before the start of the program.
- For UMass Exchange Programs, both the Exchange Tuition Fee and Global Education Fee are charged to your UMass bursar bill. The details about paying for living expenses vary widely by institution. Speak with your Education Abroad Advisor for more details.
- Faculty-led programs have their own cost structures, so it's important to review the specific details provided by the faculty-led program brochure to understand program costs and inclusions.
Study abroad scholarships are also available, but should not be depended on; most scholarships are highly competitive. See Scholarships for scholarship advising information and listings.
Still have a gap between your funding and the total budget for your study abroad experience? Consider more affordable programs, the timing of your program, alternative loans, and Program Provider payment plans. Speak with your Education Abroad Advisor for more details.
Thinking of using Financial Aid?
You have many of the same options for paying for study abroad as you do for paying for a semester at UMass.
- Most Awarded Financial Aid (FAFSA-based grants and loans and most scholarships)
- Alternative Loans
- Scholarships (Chancellor's Award, Dean's Award, and outside scholarships)
For the purpose of studying abroad, all of these are considered "Financial Aid." Read here on how to use Financial Aid to pay for your study abroad. All financial aid eligibility requirements must be met before financial aid will disburse (Satisfactory Academic Progress, enrollment, resolution of registration holds).
Most tuition credits (J&A Adams, Koplik, Valedictorian, Transfer), RA Room and Board Waivers, and Federal Work Study cannot be used while studying abroad.
- Education Abroad Expenses are your Program Fee, plus variable costs related to your Education Abroad Program, including but not limited to: Round-trip airfare, housing and meals (if not included in the Program Fee), books and study materials, in-country transportation, phone, visa or other immigration requirements (varies for each country), passport (if you need to apply or renew) and immunizations (depending on destination). Personal travel is not included in your Education Abroad Expenses.
- Your Education Abroad Program is the program you have chosen for your study abroad experience.
- The Partner Program/Program Provider is the company that runs the Education Abroad Program, such as API, CIS Abroad, CEA CAPA, Worldstrides, USAC, etc.
- The Program Fee is the cost of your Education Abroad Program and is set by the Program Provider.
- UMass Exchange is a type of program where UMass has an on-going relationship with an international university to host each other's students. Students pay their home university tuition fees, and then swap places. Space on exchange programs may be limited based on the agreement between UMass and the host university.
- Exchange Tuition Fee is the tuition fee that students who select a UMass Exchange Program are billed by the Office of Global Affairs. There is an in-state rate and an out-of-state rate, which are set annually, and are based on the cost of hosting incoming exchange students.
- Direct Enroll university program is a type of program where students apply directly to the university and enroll as a visiting student. The only Direct Enroll University Programs for UMass students are at London School of Economics and Political Science, Queen's University Belfast and Heriot Watt University.
- The Global Education Fee is charged by the Office of Global Affairs to all students participating in semester, academic year, calendar year, summer and winter programs. This fee is nonrefundable and cannot be waived.
- Awarded Financial Aid is your Financial Aid package, which is awarded based on your FAFSA. This can include grants, scholarships, and awards, as well as Federal Direct, Subsidized, and Unsubsidized loans. You do not need to make any changes to your FAFSA because you're studying abroad; the FAFSA is filed the same way as if you were studying on campus.
- Financial Aid is a catch-all term that includes Alternative Loans and Chancellor's or Dean's Awards or any other money through UMass. When requesting deferment of your Program Fee, follow instructions for Using Financial Aid for a Partner Program.
- Financial Aid Exchange Award Letter is a letter that the Financial Aid Office will generate for students who are conditionally approved for a study abroad program that verifies the estimated amount of financial aid the student will receive for the coming semester, assuming all aid eligibility requirements are met, that can be used for Education Abroad Expenses. Students can find their letter in SPIRE.
- Out-of-Pocket Funds are funds that you or your family have currently available to pay any of your study abroad expenses. You do not need to borrow or get authorization from anyone to spend this money.
- Alternative Loans are private student loans available to students and their families. Read more here.
- Direct Billing is a special arrangement made between the Office of Global Affairs, the Program Provider and the student, whereby students will be billed for their Program Fee through the UMass billing system.
A: Go to your SPIRE account to understand your current financial aid package. Log in to SPIRE with your UMass Amherst ID and password, click "Finances" and then "View Financial Aid."
Most tuition credits (J&A Adams, Koplik, Valedictorian, Transfer), RA Room and Board Waivers, and Federal Work Study cannot be used while studying abroad. Confirm whether your aid can be used for Global Education by asking at the UMass Financial Aid Office at Whitmore 243 any time the service desk is open.
A: No. UMass can not disburse your financial aid funds to anyone but you. Program Providers will invoice the student, and students must make the payments. Find more details about Financial Aid for a Partner Program here.
A: Your Partner Program may have a process to defer a portion of your Program Fee if you are receiving Financial Aid. Check with your Partner Program to see what they require to defer the portion of your Program Fee that will be covered by Financial Aid. This process typically involves providing a Financial Aid Verification Form or other proof of funds. Note that your financial aid will first cover any balance due to UMass before the remaining funds are made available to you to pay your Partner Program. To use your UMass Awarded Financial Aid to pay your Program Provider, read these slides.
A: Financial Aid is refunded to the student usually within the first week of classes at UMass and is issued as an electronic refund through Excess Express (minus any unpaid charges posted in SPIRE). Refunds are deposited directly into the bank account you set up in SPIRE, so be sure you are enrolled to receive your funds.
A: No, file your FAFSA as if you are going to be on campus.
A: You're responsible for the Fixed and Variable costs of your chosen Education Abroad Program. Consider payment plans, alternatives loans, scholarships, or a more affordable program. For guidance, meet with your Education Abroad Advisor before you choose a program.
A: There are very limited Financial Aid options for winter term study abroad; typically only private and Parent PLUS loans (both credit/application dependent) are available. However, some study abroad scholarship funding is available.
To receive Financial Aid for summer term study abroad, you must be taking at least 6 credits and enrolling in an OGA Approved Program. The amounts and types of aid are very specific to each student, so you'll need to work closely with the Financial Aid Office. Summer term Financial Aid awarding typically begins in early April, but for planning purposes you can get an estimate from a Financial Aid Counselor at any time. Most students are only eligible for loans (federal and/or private) for summer study abroad. Students who receive a Federal Pell Grant in the fall/spring semesters may receive a summer Pell Grant.
A: Alternative loans are an option for funding your study abroad experience. See Alternative Loan Options on the UMass Financial Aid Office website. The process of using Alternative Loan Funds to pay your Education Abroad Expenses is the same as using Awarded Financial Aid. Be sure you understand how to use Financial Aid toward your Education Abroad Expenses. If you plan to apply for a private / alternative loan that is larger than you apply for in a typical fall or spring semester, contact the Financial Aid Office before applying.