Financing Your Study Abroad

Tuition (semester and summer): Pay SC-resident rate tuition and fees.  

• College-Sponsored program fees do not include tuition. *A limited number of programs do not pay additional tuition, confirm in Via Global. 

Contact the Office of the Treasurer  for questions regarding tuition.  

Confirm with the Office of Financial Assistance how a student’s financial aid package will apply with the SC-resident tuition rate. 

College-Sponsored Program Fee 

A program fee is set for each College-Sponsored program based on the costs required to run the program. For most programs, these expenses might include local transportation, program excursions, some group meals, international health insurance, faculty travel costs, CIE application and associated fees, and lodging. CIE does not provide itemized program fees. 

• Each Via Global program page outlines what is included in the program fee. 

• Tuition is NOT included in program fees unless otherwise noted in Via Global 

• Once the student roster is finalized, expenses are paid to vendors well in advance of the program's departure. 

• $150 non-refundable application fee is charged on the eBill one to two weeks after financial commitment. 

• Tuition and the remaining program fee will post separately to the student’s eBill on the corresponding term schedule.   

• Program fees do not include tuition. Review Via Global for any exceptions. 

Please contact the Office of the Treasurer with payment questions, billing schedule by corresponding terms (spring/summer/fall), and available payment plans. 

Financial Agreement: Study abroad programs offer students a life changing experience, but it is important to understand the financial obligation of committing to join a program.  

Upon conditional acceptance into a College-Sponsored study abroad program, students will receive a financial agreement. To fully commit to the program, students must sign and submit this agreement in Via Global. This information is critical for both the student, and any individual financially supporting the student, to understand.

Once the financial agreement is submitted to CIE, students become liable for their portion of group expenses (faculty travel) and any non-refundable expenses/fees paid on their behalf should they withdraw from the program for any reason. 

The financial agreement: 

• Contains a detailed withdrawal schedule and important information outlining student financial commitments.  

• Confirms the program fee. 

• Outlines the withdrawal schedule and associated withdrawal fee information. 

• If another individual is helping to finance a student’s study abroad experience, the financial agreement contains a box for the student to indicate that they have shared the agreement with this individual for review. 

Please contact CIE if you have any questions regarding the financial agreement BEFORE the student submits. 

Students may need to budget for additional costs. 

Consider the following: 

• Books/ supplies
• Passport application expenses
• Airfare
• Checked Bag Fees
• Meals
• Cell Phone
• Personal Expenses
• Personal Travel
• Souvenirs
• Travel or Cancel for Any Reason Insurance

This is not an exhaustive list. Students should consider their personal needs and habits when determining potential additional expenses. 

Students who wish to withdraw from a CofC-sponsored program after their application status has been updated to committed should contact the CIE as soon as possible to minimize potential withdrawal fees. Based on the withdrawal policy outlined below, students could owe thousands of dollars if withdrawing after the application deadline.

1. Students must submit a written statement of withdrawal to Center for International Education by emailing studyabroad@cofc.edu or submitting a request to withdraw on ViaTRM. 
2. If the deadline has passed for a refund from the third-party study abroad provider, then no refund shall be provided to the student by the College of Charleston.  
3. There are non-refundable, non-transferable expenditures related to participation in this program as well as penalties for withdrawing from this program. Students acknowledge and accept full liability for all expenses made on their behalf, including but not limited to their portion of the group expenses and all penalties assessed. Students are fully responsible for all fees and expenses even if they withdraw from the program. Depending on when the student files a written statement of withdrawal from the program with the Centerfor International Education the following schedule applies: 

• Sixty (60) days prior to departure or earlier: portion of group expenses and any expenses incurred on my behalf, plus $150 
• Thirty (30) to fifty-nine (59) days before departure: portion of group expenses and any expenses incurred on my behalf, plus $500 
• Twenty-nine (29) days to departure date: No refund 

Students must comply with the College’s Code of Student Conduct and other College regulations regarding conduct, comportment, and academic integrity during my participation in the Program.

If a student is excused from the Program due to conduct, they are responsible for all expenses incurred in returning to the United States and forfeit all fees and tuition for the remainder of the Program. 

If students damage property while participating on a CofC program, they will be held financially responsible for the damage.  

Tuition 

Exchange programs (semester and summer): Pay SC-resident rate tuition and fees.  

• $150 study abroad fee and international health insurance charges on their College of Charleston eBill.   

• Housing inclusion and cost will vary depending on the program. Students should review Via Global. 

• Students will NOT get the study abroad tuition discount for online or other courses for the term they are abroad. 

Contact the Office of the Treasurer  for questions regarding tuition.  

Confirm with the Office of Financial Assistance how a student’s financial aid package will apply with the SC-resident tuition rate.

• $150 non-refundable application fee is charged on the College of Charleston eBill on the corresponding term schedule. 

• Health insurance and tuition/fees will post to the student’s eBill on the corresponding term schedule. 

• Housing payment will vary depending on the program. Students should review Via Global. 

Students may need to budget for additional costs. 

Consider the following: 

• Books/ supplies
• Passport application expenses
• Visa application expenses
• Airfare
• Checked Bag Fees
• Meals
• Cell Phone
• Personal Expenses
• Personal Travel
• Souvenirs
• Travel or Cancel for Any Reason Insurance

This is not an exhaustive list. Students should consider their personal needs and habits when determining potential additional expenses. 

Tuition  

Affiliate Programs: College of Charleston tuition is not charged. Students pay tuition directly to their affiliate program through their program fee.

• $150 non-refundable application fee is charged on the College of Charleston eBill on the corresponding term schedule. 

• All other fees are paid directly to the Affiliate provider. 

• $150 non-refundable study abroad application fee on their College of Charleston eBill on the corresponding term schedule. 

• Full cost paid directly to the third-party affiliate program provider. 

• The student is responsible for paying the full program fee on the affiliate provider’s schedule. 

• Any aid refund due at College of Charleston will be paid directly to the student by Financial Aid near the start of that corresponding term. 

Affiliate programs will list what is included in the program fee on their websites. Students should review this closely and budget for additional costs. 

Consider the following: 

• Books/ supplies
• Passport application expenses
• Visa application expenses
• Airfare
• Checked Bag Fees
• Meals
• Cell Phone
• Personal Expenses
• Personal Travel
• Souvenirs
• Travel or Cancel for Any Reason Insurance

This is not an exhaustive list. Students should consider their personal needs and habits when determining potential additional expenses.