Study Abroad is more affordable than you may think!

Did you know that there are affordable semester study abroad programs in at least 28 countries? Affordable programs are identified as those where the tuition is the same or less than what a student pays at Iowa State. When you start planning your study abroad experience, you should look at the program cost and find a program that aligns with your budget. You should find there are many options available! It is helpful to know that you can use Iowa State financial aid and scholarships when you study abroad. In addition, there are study abroad scholarships available which can help offset some of the additional costs of studying abroad, such as plane tickets, visa fees, insurance coverage, etc. 

Program cost

As mentioned above, you are advised to look closely at program cost when exploring study abroad options. You will find every program available at Iowa State has a cost sheet. The cost sheet shows both itemized costs and a total cost for the program. Some cost sheets have multiple options for tuition based on the number of credits you take or multiple options for housing. Choose the options that work best for you and the cost sheet will populate the amount. The cost sheet also clearly specifies billable amounts, or charges that will be processed on your Iowa State U-Bill and non-billable amounts, or charges that will not go through your U-Bill. An example of a non-billable charge is a passport application fee. Students apply for their own passport and pay directly at the time of applying. Another helpful section of the cost sheet allows you to input scholarships you have received for study abroad. 

Financial aid

All aid awarded for the regular semester at ISU can be used for study abroad with the exception of Work-Study and National Merit aid. For questions on using National Merit aid, please contact 515-294-5836 or HighAbility@iastate.edu. For individual scholarships, contact the administrator for your particular scholarship, to determine the eligibility of your study abroad choice.

Fall / Spring Semesters and Academic Year:
Students who already have a FAFSA on file for the current academic year, will have their financial aid automatically adjusted based on the class list and program cost provided by the program coordinator. An appointment is not necessary for this adjustment to be made. 

Program costs include:

  • Round-trip Transportation
  • Program fee, if applicable
  • Tuition and Fees
  • Room and Board
  • Books and Supplies
  • Insurance
  • Incidentals (unexpected expenses)
  • Visa and Mailing Cost
  • Passport and Mailing Cost
  • Vaccines

Study abroad programs with a total budget that is greater than the cost of attendance of Iowa State University will have loan eligibility increased to meet this new budget for that semester. Likewise programs with lower a cost of attendance will have aid reduced.

Financial aid for fall programs will be adjusted in mid-June; aid for spring programs will be adjusted in mid-November. An email will be sent to each student after aid has been adjusted. Students will be directed to Workday to view increased loan eligibility and an application will need to be completed to receive the additional loan amount.

Summer Term
In late April, students who have a FAFSA on file for the previous academic year will automatically have aid packaged for their study abroad program based on cost of program (see above) and the class list. Summer aid is primarily comprised of student loans. Stafford loans will be awarded first, followed by PLUS and/or private loan eligibility. An email will be sent to each student after aid has been packaged for summer and applications will need to be completed to receive the PLUS and/or private loans.

Students eligible for the GI Bill funding should contact a Veterans Certifying Official find out details on how this funding applies to study abroad:
Office of the Registrar
Veterans Certifying Official
214 Enrollment Services
vacertofficials@iastate.edu 
515-294-1840 (Option 6)

For more information, email studyabroadaid@iastate.edu.