Studying abroad offers students the chance to explore new cultures and gain valuable international experience. But the financial aspects can be complicated, leaving students wondering whether they can participate in study abroad programmes and, if so, where exactly their money is going.
Sascha Rizika ’25 is preparing for her spring semester abroad in Italy, and said she’s excited to explore the country where her mother once lived.
But Rizika said she’s confused about the financial details of her study abroad experience.
Tuition for the 2023-2024 academic year at Lehigh is $61,180 per semester, not including other required fees. Students who choose to study abroad must pay a full semester’s tuition to Lehigh University, regardless of the programme they choose.
“Why should we pay the same amount of Lehigh tuition if the study abroad programmes are supposed to be cheaper?” Rizika said.
Similar concerns are not uncommon for students considering whether to study abroad, but Katy Rene, the assistant director of study abroad, said the university doesn’t make more profit from study abroad programs than those who stay at Lehigh to study.
“In the same way that Lehigh doesn’t charge a chemistry major more than an English major, the university doesn’t change the cost to students based on whether or not they go abroad,” Rene said.
She said this concept is called the “full tuition model”, which is used by the majority of schools in the United States.
“It allows students to keep their financial aid,” Rene said. “Otherwise, if they weren’t enrolled or it was done differently, it would really change access for a lot of students.”
Although tuition remains the same, Rene said room and board costs are handled differently.
She said the university often sees a small financial loss associated with students studying abroad, as other expenses go to the study abroad programmes.
“Instead of being billed by Lehigh, whether a student is living on campus or in an off-campus apartment, students pay room and board directly to the study abroad programme,” Rene said.
Study abroad programmes are usually transparent. She said that they not only provide the exact billed cost, but also include estimates of additional expenses that students should expect to pay out of pocket during the semester.
Although semester-long study abroad programs are eligible for Lehigh financial aid, Rene said summer and winter programs do not have access to Lehigh financial aid and must rely on outside funding.
With a commitment to inclusivity, Rene said the Study Abroad Office strives to make study abroad accessible to students of all financial backgrounds.
Jennifer Mertz, the assistant vice provost for financial services, said study abroad students continue to receive need-based aid as if they were on campus.
“All students applying for need-based aid must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is the federal form,” Mertz said. “We also require the CSS Profile, which is through the College Board, and parents submit taxes to us.”
In addition to need-based aid, Mertz said students can take out loans to cover semester programmes if they have additional costs they need to cover.
She said Lehigh offers a travel grant for study abroad, and eligible students can apply for the national Gilman Scholarship, which is specifically open to those eligible for the Federal Pell Grant.
According to the Office of Fellowship Advising, 76 Lehigh students have received Gilman Scholarships between 2017 and 2022.
In addition to study abroad scholarships, Rene said the Study Abroad Office has a very thorough advising process, where each student is assigned a study abroad advisor based on their college and major.
Planning includes both academic and financial aspects, with an emphasis on scholarships for those with financial need, including both internal university scholarships and external opportunities.
“We encourage students to come to our office soon after they arrive at Lehigh if they hope to study abroad at some point in their career, so we can give them some guidance on how to plan for it properly,” Rene said.
