Cost & Aid

Financial-Aid

Meet with Financial Aid early! Knowing how much aid you receive can direct your destination choice and can save a lot of headache and heartache in the long run. Students are encouraged to check out the ISU Financial Aid website for types of aid and eligibility criteria.

Most financial aid applies to the cost of a student’s Study Abroad program.

If you wish to use your ISU financial aid to assist in paying for your study abroad experience, you should begin by verifying you have completed a FAFSA.

Make sure you have a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file for the current/approaching academic year.
- Students are encouraged to complete a FAFSA by the deadlines listed here.
After completing your FAFSA, and having a destination in mind, please speak with a financial aid counselor.

Helpful Hints

Sign up for direct deposit for refunds
Set up your Proxy Access so the Office of Student Financial Aid can speak with your family members about your financial aid for your trip.
If you are going abroad in the Summer, make sure you submit a Summer Aid Request Form.

Per Financial Aid, if you fail the entire semester abroad…

A list of non-passing grades will be sent from the Office of Registration and Records at the end of each payment period. The Last Date of Attendance is the date used to determine the percentage of the term completed. If a student fails to pass any classes, and has attended less than 60% of the term based on the dates provided by his instructors, the financial aid office will use the midpoint of the term to calculate aid earned.

However, if the student’s instructors report that he attended for the majority of a semester (defined as 60% or more), the Office of Financial Aid will seek supporting documentation, such as graded assignments, proof of attending a study group, participating in online discussions, or initiating contact with a faculty member to discuss the academic subject.
- If the faculty member is unable to substantiate the student’s participation past the 60% point, aid will be returned using the midpoint of the semester.

If you have any questions, please contact the Financial Aid office at ISU-FinAid@indstate.edu.

Budget

Each Study Abroad program has its unique costs, but all budgets are structured the same. The “Total Estimated Cost of Program" is the sum of what students are billed through their student account and independent costs the student pays on their own. Please refer the sample budget below.

The estimated costs to student account MUST be paid prior to departure. (Minus any scholarship or financial aid expected)

Estimated Cost to ISU Student Account

Study Abroad Program Fees are billed through the Controllers’ Office.
Program fees are the host university’s tuition cost, and varied upon services offered by the program.
International insurance (either assessed by ISU or in the affiliate program fee).
$100 Study Abroad Course Fee which makes courses taken abroad be ISU transfer credit.
Food and housing may or may not be included in the program fees. It varies from university to university.
Note: if cost of program exceeds beyond estimate due to exchange rate fluctuation or other unavoidable circumstances, you may receive an additional bill. This is a rare occurrence.
Must be paid prior to departure (minus any financial aid expected).

Estimated Independent Costs Paid by Student

These items are either paid directly to the host university or other parties.
These costs will be paid prior to departure (airfare, housing deposit, passport, visa) or once student is abroad (personal expenses, books, onsite transportation, meals).
Extra travel is not included in our budgets.

Total Estimated Cost of Program

Sum of Estimated ISU Bill to Student Account and Independent Costs Paid by Student. (A + B = C)
Students should be prepared to pay for all costs in this section either before departure or once at the host university.

Example Budget: Edge Hill University

Per Semester

Estimated Costs to ISU Student Account
Tuition	$6,575.00
Housing and Meal Plan	$2,700.00
Program Fees	$1,900.00
HTH Insurance	$248.00
Study Abroad Course Fee	$100.00
Total Estimated Costs Billed by ISU	$11,523.00

Estimated Independent Costs by ISU Student
Estimated Airfare	$1,100.00
Passport (if student does not have one yet)	$135.00
On-Site Transportation	$100.00
Additional Meals	$400.00
Personal Expenses	$1,400.00
Total Estimated Independent Costs	$3,195.00

Total Estimated Cost of Program	$14,718.00