Understanding the financial aspects of studying abroad is an important part of the planning process. While every program has different costs, The College of Wooster offers a variety of funding options to make studying abroad accessible for as many students as possible.
This page explains how study abroad costs are determined, how your Wooster financial aid applies, what additional expenses to expect, and where to find scholarship opportunities.
Understanding Study Abroad Costs
The cost of studying abroad varies by program and destination. Depending on the program you choose, your expenses may include:
- Program tuition and fees
- Housing and meals
- Airfare
- Passport and visa fees
- Local transportation
- Personal expenses
- Phone plans
- Laundry
- Optional excursions
- Books and supplies
Each endorsed program includes an estimated cost breakdown to help students compare program costs and make informed financial decisions. Actual expenses will vary depending on the program selected and individual spending habits.
Semester Study Abroad
Tuition and Program Fees
Students participating in an endorsed semester study abroad program continue to pay their normal Wooster tuition through their student account.
The College of Wooster’s Study Abroad Allocation (SAA) covers approved off-campus program fees (tuition) up to $18,500. If a program’s fee exceeds the Study Abroad Allocation, the student is responsible for paying the difference in addition to their normal Wooster tuition.
| Wooster Tuition & Fees | Billed to Wooster Student Account | $29,775.00 |
| Federal Financial Aid | Credit Applied to Student Account | $(5,000.00) |
| Wooster Institutional Aid | Credit Applied to Student Account | $(5,000.00) |
| Remaining Tuition | $19,775.00 | |
| Program Room & Board | Billed to Wooster Student Account | $5,000.00 |
| Program Deposit | Credit Applied to Student Account | $(500.00) |
| Student Pays Wooster | Remaining Wooster Tuition & Program Room/Board | $24,275.00 |
| Wooster Tuition & Fees | Billed to Student Account | $29,775.00 |
| Federal Financial Aid | Credited to Student Account | $(5,000.00) |
| Wooster Institutional Aid | Credited to Student Account | $(5,000.00) |
| Remaining Tuition | $19,5775.00 | |
| Program Tuition | Billed to Student Account | $32,000.00 |
| SAA | Credited to Student Account | $(18,500.00 |
| Remaining Program Fee | $13,500.00 | |
| Program Room & Board | Billed to Student Account | $5,000.00 |
| Program Deposit | Credited to Student Account | $(500.00) |
| Student Pays Wooster | $37,775.00 |
Room and Board
Students studying abroad are not charged Wooster room and board. Instead, Wooster bills the student for the room and board charges assessed by the study abroad program and pays those charges directly to the program provider.
Program Deposit
Students are responsible for paying the program enrollment deposit directly to the provider. Deposits reserve a student’s place in the program and may be non-refundable.
Once Wooster receives the provider’s invoice, the enrollment deposit paid by the student is credited to the student’s Wooster account.
Financial Aid
Federal and institutional financial aid may be applied to one approved semester of study abroad.
Individual financial aid packages vary. Students should meet with the Financial Aid Office to understand how their aid applies to their selected program.
Returning to Wooster
Students who receive institutional financial aid for study abroad are required to return to The College of Wooster for at least one semester following their study abroad program.
Students who do not return after studying abroad will be billed for the full amount of institutional financial aid applied to their study abroad semester.
GEO Administrative Fee
Students participating in semester study abroad programs are charged a GEO Administrative Fee equal to 3.5% of the annual Wooster comprehensive fee.
This fee supports the administration of study abroad, including:
- Program participation arrangements
- Course credit approval
- Registration management
- Billing coordination
- Administrative support for study abroad programs
Budget Sheets
For students first enrolling at Wooster BEFORE Fall 2025
GEO Funding Guide for Students Enrolling Prior to Fall 2025
For students first enrolling at Wooster in Fall 2025 and beyond
GEO Funding Guide for Students Enrolling Fall 2025 and after
Summer Study Abroad
Summer study abroad programs follow a different billing process than semester programs.
Students participating in third-party provider programs are billed directly by the program provider rather than through The College of Wooster. Students are responsible for paying the provider according to the provider’s payment schedule.
Summer Financial Aid
Wooster institutional financial aid does not apply to third-party provider summer study abroad programs.
Students are encouraged to explore scholarships offered directly by their program provider, as many providers offer financial assistance for summer participants.
GEO Administrative Fee
Students participating in summer study abroad are assessed a GEO Administrative Fee equal to 3.5% of summer tuition
Withdrawal Policy
If a student needs to leave a semester or year-long off-campus study program for any reason, they will not be allowed to return to The College of Wooster for the duration of the approved term.
Students may be responsible for all expenses incurred by the program or Wooster on their behalf and required to reimburse these funds according to the cancelation policies. Students may be responsible for returning any financial aid awarded for the withdrawn term.
Students must be sure to read the cancellation policies for their specific program before they apply.
Withdrawing from Wooster for a Semester or Year-long Program
Students sometimes suggest that it would be cheaper to withdraw from Wooster for their semester abroad. This is not a good option!
Withdrawing from the college would mean that a student loses the benefits of being a Wooster student abroad. This includes:
- A student would need to reapply to Wooster for the following semester. There is no guarantee that the student would be readmitted.
- The student would have to pay Wooster’s $400 application fee.
- The student would lose their current financial aid packet and have to reapply for aid. There is no guarantee that their aid package would remain the same.
- The student might be unable to transfer the credit earned abroad back to Wooster.
- The student would not have assistance in registering for courses the following semester and could not register at their normal time.
- The student would not have a spot in the housing lottery for the following semester.
- GEO would not be able to endorse the student’s participation with their program provider and unable to assist while abroad.
Additional Semester Expenses
Students should also plan for expenses that are typically not included in program fees, including:
- Airfare
- Passport and visa fees
- Local transportation
- Personal travel
- Laundry
- Phone plans
- Spending money
- Optional program excursions
- Security or housing deposits (if applicable)
Scholarships & Grants
Many students reduce the cost of studying abroad through scholarships.
Funding opportunities may include:
- Program provider scholarships
- Wooster scholarships
- National study abroad scholarships
- Destination-specific scholarships
- Identity-based scholarships
Because scholarship deadlines often occur several months before departure, students are encouraged to begin researching opportunities early.
Summer Programs
For summer programs, your Wooster financial aid is not available. Please check with your program provider for scholarship opportunities.
TREK Programs
For TREK programs, there will be limited financial aid from The College of Wooster available. These scholarships are typically need based.
Wooster Scholarships
Paul Kendall and Sharon Rives have established the Kendall-Rives Endowed Experiential Learning and Cultural Immersion Fund. The purpose of this fund is to provide students in support of their declared major or Independent Study project with study away or experientially immersive learning opportunities that will diversify their perspectives and broaden their knowledge of the world. Preference will be given to first-generation students from limited-income households for whom this experience would be their first such opportunity.
Non-Wooster Scholarships
There are some additional scholarships available outside of Wooster and your program provider:
- Gilman International Scholarship
- Boren Undergraduate Scholarship
- DAAD German Academic Exchange Service
- Fund for Education Abroad
- Freeman-ASIA