Cost is an important factor when deciding whether or not to study abroad. You may be surprised to learn that in many cases, the costs of going abroad are comparable to those of staying at Barnard. The majority of students receive some sort of financial assistance when studying abroad, though the amount or type of support depends on various factors. With careful planning and research into opportunities, you should be able to afford a study abroad experience while at Barnard.
Please be sure to read the Finances information on the Barnard Study Abroad site. At any point, please feel free to reach out to your program adviser for general guidance about costs of your program. For information about financial aid and Barnard fees, please reach out to the appropriate offices at Barnard.
The costs for studying abroad vary based on whether you attend a semester, academic year or summer program. Financial aid, similar to what you may receive at Barnard, is applicable to semester and academic year programs. Summer programs are generally funded individually or with the help of competitive scholarships.
Fall, Spring, or Academic Year
Your Barnard Bill
When you are enrolled on a Columbia-Led Program you remain a full-time Barnard student and pay Barnard tuition and some fees directly to Barnard. You are billed by Barnard in exactly the same way as you would be if you were staying on campus. Please see the Barnard Finances page for more details.
You are not billed by Barnard for room, board, living, or travel expenses. If your financial aid normally covers these categories, you will receive a refund from Barnard to use for these expenses after your aid has been disbursed. If your financial aid is normally applied only towards tuition costs, then you will pay these other costs out-of-pocket directly to your program or on-site as specified in their instructions. Please be sure to read the program information so that you know when and who you will pay.
Financial Aid
Barnard students remain eligible for financial aid when studying abroad on a Columbia-Led Program. Be sure to speak with a financial aid officer as soon as you have budget information for your program and before you commit to going abroad.
Summer
Summer study abroad is usually not covered with Federal aid or Barnard study abroad. On these programs you pay most costs (most often tuition, lodging, etc.) to the program directly. Some costs you will have to pay directly to a service provider (i.e. an airline, housing placement organization). Please note that most programs do not organize group flights and you will often be responsible for booking your own travel. Do not assume that all costs are included in a program fee and be sure to read the program budget carefully.
Fellowships and Scholarships for Study Abroad
Because semester and academic year programs are frequently funded through financial aid and are usually comparable to staying at Barnard, the resources below are directed primarily to students looking for scholarships to fund summer opportunities.
FUNDING FOR SUMMER STUDY ABROAD
Most scholarships available for summer study abroad are likely to be competitive, it's important for you to plan in advance how you will pay for your summer study abroad. Many programs require substantial deposits to reserve your place, so while you may be applying for a scholarship, you may want to have an alternative in mind in case you don't win the scholarship.
Begin your research early! Many opportunities will have deadlines in the fall or early winter.
Finding Funding Opportunities
There are a few places that you can look to fund summer study abroad. While location- or program-specific opportunities are listed on individual program pages, there are some scholarships that are more generally applicable to study abroad:
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
The Summer Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowship
General resources:
International Students
If you are an international student, you should read the eligibility criteria carefully, as you may not be eligible for certain scholarships due to your student visa. Program-specific scholarships (noted on the specific program pages) are more likely to be open to international students. You should also research opportunities offered by your home government and organizations that support education in your home country.