Resources

Money Matters

You don't have to be wealthy to have a global experience! To make it affordable, consider the following:

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On Faculty-Led (UNH Managed) and UNH Exchange programs, you pay your usual tuition to UNH, as you would pay if you were on campus.

On Partner (Approved) programs, you will not pay UNH/PSU tuition. Instead, you pay the program price directly to the provider.

The EcoQuest-UNH program is an exception: as a UNH Managed Partnership program all students are charged the same amount. 

Planning ahead can save you money! You will have more time to save up, you may find less expensive plane tickets, you won't have to rush your passport application, etc. Start your education abroad planning one year prior to your intended term away. Complete your application by the following deadlines:

  • October 1 for J-Term and Spring study abroad
  • March 1 for Summer and Fall study abroad

Note: some programs, especially Faculty-Led programs, may have earlier deadlines! Please check program-specific information in UNH-Via.

Good news!  UNH/PSU allows federal, state, and institutional aid — except work-study funding — to be used for all UNH Global Education programs. You will be able to factor in the price of airfare as an educational expense and consider the cost of living in your host country for your estimated expenses. The cost of studying abroad may be greater than attending UNH/PSU; if so, we will increase your cost of attendance which will allow for additional borrowing in either parent or student name. If the cost of your program is less than what you would experience at UNH/PSU, your financial aid may be reduced.

Contact UNH Financial Aid at 603-862-3600 or PSU Financial Aid at 603-535-2338 to learn how this applies to your individual aid package and check the UNH Financial Aid website or PSU Financial Aid website for more information.  If you receive tuition benefits as a dependent of a USNH employee, restrictions may apply.  

UNH students: 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 Military & Veterans Services.  Restrictions as to the type of program you enroll in may apply.  Take note that items in the fact sheet are subject to change.

It is important to note that if you are going abroad on a UNH/PSU Partner program, your financial aid will be disbursed to you, not the provider. For more info about the process, contact your Global Education advisor.

Please visit the Scholarships & Fellowships page for information about UNH and external funding for education abroad. It is worthwhile to invest the time and effort into scholarship applications.

We require all students to complete the Budget Worksheet (below) which allows you 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, student visa processing, etc.) and read the fine 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.

Download the UNH Budget Worksheet here: 

Plymouth State University students should use this version:

Consider the costs of daily expenses, such as food, local transportation, and personal travel which can vary greatly among countries and even between regions within the same country. Websites like Numbeo can help you do that with just a few clicks. 

You may be able to decrease your daily cost of living depending on program location, which would make studying abroad more affordable. Research how much it costs to buy average things like bottled water, coffee, a sandwich, local bus tickets, soap/toothpaste, and other daily essentials.

The exchange rate determines how much local money is received when exchanging U.S. dollars, and fluctuates constantly. It is possible to receive more or less money for your dollar depending on the host country’s currency exchange rate. Websites like xe.com and Wise.com may be helpful.

Study abroad doesn’t have to take place in an expensive, metropolitan city. Consider living in a smaller city or less expensive region, and visit the big city on the weekend. Or, look at the many high-quality programs in countries where the cost of living is much lower. Talk with your Global Education Advisor about less-known program and hidden gems.

It's important to be prepared to manage your spending while abroad. We recommend that students have two options for payment, in case one is compromised while traveling.  Look for credit or debit cards that do not charge international fees, and have contactless pay options.  The following websites provide some valuable information and resources regarding applying for and using credit cards and debit cards while studying abroad.

Bookmark sites such as Google Fights, Kayak, Expedia, and Student Universe to monitor the price of plane tickets. Typically, the earlier you book your flights, the less expensive it will be. Just make sure to confirm your exact program dates before you book your flights.  Some airlines want to know your passport number when you book, so be sure to save a picture of your passport if you need to send it off for a student visa.

Travel Information

Part of the experience of studying abroad is exploring outside your host city, to other cities and countries in the region. We provide the following resources for you to research and explore.

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In order to travel abroad you will need a valid passport, and you must have it well before the start of your program. Do not delay!  If you do not have a valid passport, it is strongly recommended that you apply for one at least 6-8 months before you apply to study abroad; it can take a long time to get your documents in order, and you will need it 2-3 months before your departure date.  Additionally, your passport must be valid for six months after the end of your program, so check the expiration date and renew your passport in advance if necessary.

If you are a dual U.S. citizen, you must always enter the United States with a U.S. passport. If you do not plan to travel on your U.S. passport, you still should bring it with you for your return to the United States. If you do not have a U.S. passport, you should apply for one as soon as possible.

Below are some helpful passport and visa sites with information on how to acquire these official documents.

Depending on your chosen country and the length of your study abroad program, you may also need to apply for a student visa.  The rules and processes are governed by each specific country.  If you choose a Partner program, we very strongly encourage you to take advantage of any group or "batch processing" student visa service your provider may offer.  This service could save you a lot of time and energy.  Follow the directives of your study abroad program director or provider, and pay careful attention to all the requirements, details, and deadlines.

Attention to detail is crucial in this process.  You should also become familiar with the policies and procedures of the regional Consulate for your study abroad country.  You must have a valid passport in hand to apply for a student visa, and this is often done 3-4 months prior to travel.  

In general you will need to follow these steps if you do not opt for batch processing:

  1. Search online for the nearest Consulate's office for your country, and review their instructions carefully.  
  2. Make an appointment if required; this will mean traveling to that Consulate and surrendering your passport. Many countries have consulates in Boston, but some may require that you travel to New York City or Washington DC.  You cannot leave the country for any reason until you have your passport back.
  3. Gather the necessary documents, which could include your passport, program acceptance letter, proof of insurance. If you  need any type of letter, hard copies are required. These take time to print or gather, so do not wait until the day of your appointment to request them. 
  4. If fingerprinting is required: 
    1. Students in Durham contact the UNH Police Department during normal business hours (Monday through Friday; 8:00am-4:30pm) to schedule fingerprinting.
    2. Plymouth State University students should should email Deputy Chief Amanda Hutchins of the PSU Police Dept. to set up a fingerprinting appointment.
    3. Manchester students should visit the Manchester Police Department Tuesday – Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The fee for this service is set by city ordinance and is $20 per fingerprint card. (Cards are supplied by the requestor.)
  5. Pay the fee in the manner instructed (some consulates only accept cash!)
  6. Wait for your passport & visa to be processed.  You will be handing over your passport so be sure you do NOT have any international travel planned during the time your visa application is being processed.  Some consulates require you pick them up in-person, others will mail them.  

Here are some useful resources:

 

Don't lose access to your USNH resources while abroad!  Take the necessary steps before you travel to preserve your access while you are away. 

This article provides steps to take before traveling to maintain access to important resources such as Outlook email, myUNH, myWildcat Success, OneDrive, WebCat, etc.  This applies to all UNH and PSU students, faculty, and staff.

All students must have a smart phone with an international calling plan while they are abroad.

Students must be able to download and use the International SOS Assistance App and be able to make international calls on a cellular network. In the event of an emergency, there may be disruptions to internet and Wi-Fi networks, so it is critical for your safety that you be able to make local and international cell phone calls on your mobile device.

There are a few different options for students when it comes to having a cell phone abroad.

Option #1: Contact your current cell phone provider to learn more about their international travel plans. International travel plans can be on the pricier side but allows students to keep their current cell phone, U.S. number, and be able to make calls and use data while abroad. 

Option #2: When arriving in your host country, seek out an international phone provider. They will be able to set you up with an international phone plan directly with them and provide you with a local SIM card. You will need to have an unlocked phone before you leave the U.S. if you want this option.

Option #3: Purchase a new smart phone while abroad that comes with a local SIM card and an international calling plan. 

We know you'll want to travel during your free time.  You will learn in our pre-departure orientation that you will need to register all travel outside your host city in our Travel Tracker App.  Here are some resources that might be helpful in planning your excursions:

Here are a few apps that experienced travelers have recommend for travel abroad:

U.S. citizens can vote in U.S. elections while studying abroad. Follow the steps below to register and request your overseas absentee ballot for elections occurring in your home state while abroad.

Step 1: Register to vote if you are not already registered (skip to step 2 if you are registered). Each state has its own voting requirements and deadlines to request a ballot. Check your state of voter registration to view that information.

Step 2: Request an absentee ballot be sent to you while abroad for the specific election. You can use either one of these non-partisan websites to request your absentee ballot abroad: overseasvotefoundation.org or votefromabroad.org.  Select “U.S. Citizen Residing Outside the U.S. Temporarily and I Intend to Return” and complete the rest of the form. 

Step 3: If you need to enter your international mailing address to receive your ballot, use your physical address overseas, or you can ask your study abroad provider if mail can be sent to their address. 

Step 4: Once you request your absentee ballot, you will be given instructions on how to fill it out abroad and return it. Official absentee voting information can be found through the U.S. Department of State.

UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
An ETA is a permission to travel for those who do not currently need to obtain a visa, or do not have a UK immigration status. An ETA will be required by all non-visa nationals seeking to travel to the UK as a visitor for up to 6 months, to transit the UK, or enter as a Creative Worker for up to 3 months.

An ETA costs £10 and permits multiple journeys to the UK for stays of up to six months at a time over two years or until the holder’s passport expires – whichever is sooner.


To apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA), please visit their website.

Starting sometime in 2025, travelers from over 30 visa-exempt countries (including the US) who do not need to a student visa will be required to have a travel authorization to enter most European countries.  This travel authorization, known as ETIAS will be linked to the traveler's passport, and will cost about $8.00.  We have been advised that anyone who has applied for a separate visa (such as semester or year-long study abroad students) will not need one. 

For more information, please visit the ETIAS website.

Diversity & Identities Abroad

You may find that cultures vary widely in terms of how different identities are defined and understood, including nationality; race and ethnicity; religion; gender; sexual orientation; disability; and socioeconomic diversity.  Check out the following resources to help you plan and prepare for your education abroad experience. 

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Yes, you can still study abroad if you have specific dietary needs or restrictions!  Managing these can be a challenge, as products and stores vary from what you are accustomed to in the US. It's important for you to do your own research before selecting a country or program. 

Below are some resources we've found to help you get started.

AllergySmartz App This free smartphone app helps communicate personal food allergies to restaurant staff in 20 different languages
Find Me: Gluten Free  This free app helps you find gluten-free restaurants when you travel 
Diary Free Me Tips for travelers with dairy allergies or intolerances
FARE food allergy chef cards Cards for communicating food allergies to restaurant staff in different languages
Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) Tips for traveling with food allergies
Happy Cow Find vegan restaurants around the world
Kosher Travel Resources for Kosher travelers
Yeah That's Kosher Find Kosher restaurants around the world

Always be sure to disclose your dietary needs or restrictions to your program director.  If choosing a partner (provider) program, many providers will have resources on their websites.  Here are some examples: DIS (study abroad in Scandinavia), or ISA. 

The International SOS smartphone app, which all UNH & PSU students are required to download, has information for students with medically related allergies or sensitivities. Students can call International SOS at 215.942.8478 and provide the UNH membership number: 11BCAS000009.

The U.S. Veteran's Administration (VA) has updated their study abroad information. Please review this carefully when considering a study abroad experience.

Students who wish to utilize their GI benefits abroad need to be taking classes that will count towards their degree program.  Payments they make for the program can only be sent directly to UNH. The VA will not provide payments to third-party providers. And as always, the VA will only cover program costs, not travel/lodging wherever the student is going.

Any student with questions about what is or is not allowed for study abroad while utilizing the GI Bill should contact UNH Military & Veteran Services directly. 

Click Here for information on when the best time to study abroad is for each sport, and Wildcat Alumni profiles.

 

 

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