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?
Read here for details about using Financial Aid for Study Abroad.
You have many of the same options for paying for study abroad as you do for paying for a semester at UMass. For the purpose of studying abroad, all of the following are considered “Financial Aid”:
- Most Awarded Financial Aid (FAFSA-based grants and loans and most scholarships)
- Alternative Loans
- Scholarships (Chancellor's Award, Dean's Award, and outside scholarships)
Please note that most tuition credits (J&A Adams, Koplik, Valedictorian, Transfer), RA Room and Board Waivers, and Federal Work Study cannot be used while studying abroad.
Glossary
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 Education 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.