Cost is an important consideration when planning to spend the summer abroad. Many departments support their graduate students' endeavors during the summer with fellowships for language learning and relevant coursework.

Columbia graduate students in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences should consult the GSAS Student Guide on Financing Your Education for information on summer funding opportunities. Of particular interest is the Summer Tuition Credit for GSAS Students, but there are other summer funding opportunities as well. Students in other schools at Columbia (Architecture, Journalism, SIPA, etc.) should check with their home school about funding.

Additionally, graduate students should discuss their plans with their departmental Director of Graduate Studies to determine if there are any departmental awards that can be applied to summer programs internationally.

Students from other universities, should follow similar steps to those above through the proper channels at their home school.