“Saint Mary’s is an invaluable place where you cannot only grow in mind, but in heart and spirit, and a place where you develop relationships that will last a lifetime.”
Saint Mary's College is committed to making study abroad affordable for students. The information included here is designed to help you plan financially for your study abroad experience.
| Understand the Costs | ||
| Review Your Financial Aid Package | ||
| Apply for SMC Travel Grants | ||
| Apply for External Scholarships | ||
| Complete a Budget Worksheet |
Understand the Costs
Semester and Year-Long Programs
Students who study abroad during the academic year will pay the Saint Mary's College standard tuition rate, and most of a student's financial aid can apply when they study abroad for a semester or a year. Students are advised to consult with the Financial Aid office about their own financial aid and how it may apply.
Students pay room and board to Saint Mary's college at the base room and board rate. Each study abroad program has a standard accommodation package; if you elect accommodations that are not included in the standard accommodation package (for example, a single room or private bathroom), you will be charged the Saint Mary's "Additional Residential Upgrade Options” (see Saint Mary's College Tuition and Fees).
Students will pay a deposit for their program once they are accepted in order to secure their spot. This non-refundable deposit is not an extra fee, and will be credited to their tuition.
Rather than paying a student activities fee on campus, students who study abroad during the academic year will pay a study abroad fee.
Students are responsible for their flights, passports and visas, books, personal expenses, and travel expenses while abroad. The year-long Oxford Program includes an additional program fee.
Students are encouraged to consider external scholarship opportunities. Further information can be found below. In particular, Pell Grant recipients should consider applying for the Gilman Scholarship.
Saint Mary's College provides international health insurance and evacuation insurance for all students who study abroad. See the Health and Safety page for more information.
Spring Break and Summer Programs
Students who study abroad during spring break or summer will pay all program costs that are specific to the site where they study. A student’s financial aid at Saint Mary’s does not apply to spring break and summer programs. Students should see the program brochure for details about costs and what is included.
Students will pay a deposit for their program once they are accepted in order to secure their spot. This non-refundable deposit is not an extra fee, and will be credited toward the total cost of the program.
The Global Education Office offers need-based travel grants for short-term programs. Students can learn more about these travel grants below; see “Apply for SMC Travel Grants”. Students are also encouraged to consider external scholarship opportunities; see “Apply for External Scholarships”.
Saint Mary's college provides international health insurance and evacuation insurance for all students who study abroad. See the Health and Safety page for more information.
Withdrawal and Refund Policy
Students pay a non-refundable deposit once accepted into a program. If a student withdraws after paying this deposit, there may be additional financial implications. Students can find details about this in pre-departure forms.
Review Your Financial Aid Package
For students participating in a Saint Mary's-sponsored program, most of your financial aid package, loans, grants, and scholarships can be applied to your semester/year abroad.
Other than the SMC Travel Grants, aid from Saint Mary's College is not available for summer programs. Federal loans might be available to students who will be enrolled at least half-time in the summer. In addition, all students have the option of applying for alternative loans for summer study abroad programs.
For additional information on financial aid, please contact the Office of Financial Aid.
Apply for SMC Travel Grants
GEO Short-Term Program Student Travel Grant
The GEO Short-Term Program Student Travel Grant provides funding to encourage students to participate in international education. Increasing intercultural understanding and knowledge through interaction and reflection is a key objective of the Global Education Office and Saint Mary's College. By participating in a summer or spring break international program of study which emphasizes intercultural engagement, grantees will enhance their own learning and enrich the College environment with new connections and perspectives. Click here for the eligiblity requirements, instructions, and application form. Please contact the Global Education Office at abroad@saintmarys.edu with any questions. Please see the application form for the deadline.
GEO First Passport Grant
The Global Education Office offers a First Passport Grant for students who do not have a passport yet. The grant will cover up to $180 of the cost for an adult U.S. passport. The Global Education Office will offer up to 5 grants in each application cycle. Preference will be given to underrepresented students in study abroad and to students who have demonstrated a commitment to participate in a Saint Mary's study abroad program. Click here for the eligibility requirements, instructions, and application form. Please contact the Global Education Office at abroad@saintmarys.edu with any questions. Please see the application form for the deadline.
Humanistic Studies Department Study Abroad Scholarships
Thanks to the generosity of its alumnae and friends, the Humanistic Studies Program is able to offer scholarships to majors—and, in some special cases, minors—wishing to study abroad. This opportunity is being made available because Humanistic Studies specializes in the study of culture, both Western and non-Western, and encourages its majors to study this culture firsthand on abroad programs. Click here to find out more about eligibility requirements and application instructions. Please contact the Chair of the Humanistic Studies Department and/or the Global Education Office with any questions.
Apply for External Scholarships
The Global Education Office offers information on external resources and helps students apply for external study abroad scholarships. Many scholarships give preference to students with diverse backgrounds; it is one of the selection factors that most scholarship programs would consider. Click here for more information.
Complete a Budget Worksheet
The “Study Abroad Budget Worksheet” is a general worksheet designed for students intending to study abroad. It helps you plan your budget and spending abroad and is intended to get you thinking about the costs for which you will be responsible, including the flight, passport and visa, books, personal expenses and travel expenses.
The Global Education Office periodically schedules Budgeting Pre-Departure sessions to provide students with more information and guidance about completing the budget worksheet.
Click here for the semester/year budgeting worksheet and click here for the summer budgeting worksheet.