Study Abroad Costs and Aid
Because financial aid can apply, the cost of studying abroad for a semester is comparable to tuition, room, and board in St. Paul. However, your cost will depend on the program to which you are applying.
In general, grants, loans, and scholarships can be applied to the program fee for semester, J-Term and academic year long programs.
Find your program costs by searching for a program and selecting 'Cost' towards the top of the online program brochure page.
Calculate out-of-pocket costs for studying abroad by using the financial aid action steps worksheets.
Paying for Study Abroad
If you find yourself hesitant to add a global experience to your college career because of the cost, consider the following:
Program Costs Vary
Studying abroad for a semester is comparable to the cost of living and studying on-campus, but some programs cost considerably less than others. This may mean a shorter program, a location with a lower cost of living, or a program with on-campus or online components before and/or after a shorter travel component.
There are also options for you to study 'abroad' within the US! There are many valuable international and intercultural experiences to be had right here in the United States. These programs may not be the standard study abroad experience, but they can still change your life and enhance your degree!
Use Your Financial Aid
Use your financial aid, loans, and scholarships for semester and academic year programs. For semester or year-long programs financial aid applies just as if you were on campus, so a longer program does not necessarily mean higher costs. Depending on the cost of living, your wallet may not notice any difference between studying on-campus vs. abroad.
The Financial Aid Office provides term-specific worksheets for study abroad students, and these worksheets take all the work out of calculating costs. Just plug in the numbers from the online program budget and your Murphy Online financial aid award, and it does the math for you! To access these worksheets, visit the financial aid study abroad page and select the term that applies to you.
Apply for Scholarships
Whether from the Office of Study Abroad, departments on campus, study abroad programs, or organizations outside the University, there are funds available. Spend some time researching and applying for multiple scholarships. Yes, it's a lot of work, but it can really pay off.
Students approved for the fall semester Rome Empower Program receive a $2,000 scholarship just for being admitted. Talk to a study abroad advisor to discuss these and other programs with financial assistance.
Return on Investment
Cost isn't everything. We want you to make smart choices with your money, but we also want you to recognize that there is a significant return on investment for selecting a program that fits your academic, personal, and professional goals. Studying abroad is an investment that can increase your intercultural skills in an increasingly global world and set you apart from other job candidates.
Program Costs Vary
Program Costs Vary
Studying abroad for a semester is comparable to the cost of living and studying on-campus, but some programs cost considerably less than others. This may mean a shorter program, a location with a lower cost of living, or a program with on-campus or online components before and/or after a shorter travel component.
There are also options for you to study 'abroad' within the US! There are many valuable international and intercultural experiences to be had right here in the United States. These programs may not be the standard study abroad experience, but they can still change your life and enhance your degree!
Use Your Financial Aid
Use Your Financial Aid
Use your financial aid, loans, and scholarships for semester and academic year programs. For semester or year-long programs financial aid applies just as if you were on campus, so a longer program does not necessarily mean higher costs. Depending on the cost of living, your wallet may not notice any difference between studying on-campus vs. abroad.
The Financial Aid Office provides term-specific worksheets for study abroad students, and these worksheets take all the work out of calculating costs. Just plug in the numbers from the online program budget and your Murphy Online financial aid award, and it does the math for you! To access these worksheets, visit the financial aid study abroad page and select the term that applies to you.
Apply for Scholarships
Apply for Scholarships
Whether from the Office of Study Abroad, departments on campus, study abroad programs, or organizations outside the University, there are funds available. Spend some time researching and applying for multiple scholarships. Yes, it's a lot of work, but it can really pay off.
Students approved for the fall semester Rome Empower Program receive a $2,000 scholarship just for being admitted. Talk to a study abroad advisor to discuss these and other programs with financial assistance.
Return on Investment
Return on Investment
Cost isn't everything. We want you to make smart choices with your money, but we also want you to recognize that there is a significant return on investment for selecting a program that fits your academic, personal, and professional goals. Studying abroad is an investment that can increase your intercultural skills in an increasingly global world and set you apart from other job candidates.
Scholarships
Financial Aid
Billing Information
Submit a deposit either as part of the St. Thomas application or to confirm participation upon acceptance.
For St. Thomas Semester Programs, students will be charged:
- a semester of tuition; plus
- room/board/program fee as determined by the University.
For St. Thomas January Term Programs, students will be charged:
- the current on-campus rate for J-Term and Summer, which equals 50% semester tuition (per credit); plus
- program fee as determined by the University.
Student costs for participating in St. Thomas J-Term programs will include airfare.
While some meals are included in the program fee, the specific number will vary depending upon the program, and students should consult the budget worksheet for the specific program.
Submit all required deposits directly to your program.
For Semester/Year-Long Affiliate Programs, students will be charged:
- the standard banded St. Thomas tuition rate, or the program's tuition rate, whichever is the higher of the two; plus
- room/board/program fee as determined by the program provider.
For January Term Affiliate Programs, students will be charged:
- the current on-campus rate for 3 credits or the program's tuition rate, whichever is the higher of the two; plus
- room/board/program fee as determined by the program provider.
For Summer Term Affiliate Programs, students will be charged:
- The program's tuition rate; plus
- room/board/program fee as determined by the program provider.