The following recommendations can help make study abroad affordable and provides more information about funding for a program.

Use your financial aid

UNH currently allows federal, state, and institutional aid (except Work/Study) to transfer for all UNH Managed, UNH Exchange, or UNH Approved programs abroad. Click for more financing information. Students should call the Financial Aid office (tel. 603-862-3600) to learn how this applies to their individual aid package and check the UNH Financial Aid website for more information.

If you currently receive aid under the Post-9/11 GI Bill and are interested in studying abroad, please read this fact sheet and contact UNH Veterans Affairs (128EA Stoke Hall or unh.veterans@unh.edu). 

Apply for scholarships and grants

Please visit the Scholarships & Fellowships section for information about UNH and external funding for study abroad. There are some awards that could make a significant difference in additional costs for an international experience.

Make a budget and stick to it

The Study Abroad budget worksheet allows students to do a cost comparison and create a realistic study abroad budget. It is important to pay close attention to what is included in the program fees (food, housing, excursions, flight, etc.) and read the small print. What may seem expensive at first could be a good deal. Conversely, what may seem reasonable at first may add up when you factor in all the mandatory fees and costs that are not included in the base price.

Plan Ahead

Planning allows time to save money, apply for scholarships and do research on finding an affordable program.

Consider a different destination

Study Abroad doesn’t have to take place in an expensive city; instead, visit during a weekend, while living in a smaller (cheaper) city! Or look at the many high-quality programs in countries where the cost of living is much lower. If Spain costs too much, for example, look into Argentina or Costa Rica.

Study the exchange rate

The exchange rate determines how much local money is received when exchanging dollars. It is possible to receive more or less money for your dollar depending on the host country’s currency exchange rate.

Research the cost of living in country

Consider the costs of daily transactions and travel (food, local transportation, hotels); they can vary greatly among countries and even between regions within the same country. Go online or ask your program how much it costs to buy: bottled water, coffee, sandwich, local bus ticket, soap/toothpaste, band aids, toilet paper, and other daily essentials.

Look into UNH Managed & UNH Exchange programs

Pay the same tuition you would pay if you were on-campus (some UNH program fees appy).

Consider direct enrollment

Connecting directly with the host university and not using a provider may reduce costs. This also reduces the level of services.  Be prepared to do much more of the organization of the study abroad process and be responsible for managing all the onsite issues, including emergencies.

Look into Non-credit Experiential programs

Some students look at alternative experiences to study abroad that are non-credit bearing during a summer/ spring/winter break.  Some of these options may include interning or volunteering abroad.  These can be cost effective options when looking for a cultural immersion experience that will build up a resume and broaden the participant’s global perspective.  Click interning and volunteering abroad for more information.

Get airfare alerts

Bookmark sites such as Kayak.com and Expedia.com.  Look into the Airfare Deposit Program at STA Travel in Cambridge, MA for students on financial aid. Students can lock in cheaper airfare rates for a $300 non-refundable deposit and pay the balance a week before departure.

Prepare for UNH fees

• UNH Study Abroad Administrative:  There is an administrative fee charged to all students who are registered for a UNH study abroad course. This fee maintains status as full time at UNH while taking courses abroad, ensures transfer of credits that can be applied towards UNH degree requirements, and -if eligible- allows for application of some financial aid. It also contributes to a broad range of services available to students before, during and after the abroad program. The fee is $300 per term for UNH Managed and UNH Approved programs and $200 per term for exchange programs. Students studying abroad for a full academic year at the same institution will have the fee waived for the second semester.

• Technology Fee:  $88.50 per semester (2012/2013)

• Summer fees include:  Study Abroad Administrative Fee, Registration Fee, and Technology Fee (reduced for summer based on registered credits). Summer fees can be found on the UNH Business Service page at http://www.unh.edu/business-services/tuitfees.html.