Study Abroad
Affording It
The cost of participating on an education abroad program can significantly vary depending on duration of the program, location, and who administers the program. While the overall expense can exceed the cost of studying on campus, leading students to think it is unaffordable, it is a mistake to assume this is always the case or that the experience is financially prohibitive. Some programs can actually be less expensive than equivalent educational costs for the comparable amount of time on the URI campus and we strive to offer a portfolio of program options to make an off-campus experience possible for all students. Careful planning and knowing what to expect are important aspects to consider:
1. Do Your Research
Take the time to investigate all of the exchange, third-party provider and URI faculty-led and semester programs available. The cost of studying away may vary based on the length of the program, location, and additional fees. For example, some exchange programs cost the same as attending URI in Kingston for a semester.
2. Run the Numbers
Compare costs at URI and your intended study away program (national or international exchange, URI program or third-party provider).
3. Look into URI Study Away Scholarships
There are many scholarship opportunities available to students for academic-year, semester and summer study abroad programs.
4. Know the Facts About Financial Aid and Studying Abroad
- Federal and state financial aid may be applied toward both approved affiliated and non-affiliated education abroad programs.
- Institutional scholarships and grants such as Merit Scholarships, University Grants, Athletic Awards and Talent Development Grants can be applied only to URI fall and spring semester exchange (national and international), the National Student Exchange (NSE) Home Payment option, and affiliated third-party provider programs.
- The amount of an institutional award, such as the Hardge Grant or Presidential Scholarship, will be based, not on previous URI awards, but on the actual cost of the off-campus program tuition in which the student wishes to participate. In no case will the award amount exceed the program’s total cost as determined by the URI Enrollment Services.
Please Note: Merit Scholarships may be decreased for the education abroad program if the tuition cost of the program is less than the tuition cost at URI (Kingston).
- Tuition waivers can be applied to URI bilateral exchange programs, National Student Exchange (NSE) Home Payment option, and URI Faculty-Led Winter J-term Programs.
- Students who are attending a program that costs more than the financial aid awarded to them for their program and need to seek additional funding can research and apply for the following:
- The Post-Decision Phase of a participant’s URIAbroad program application must be completed before a student’s education abroad financial aid package can be processed.
- Disbursement of financial aid can only be made ten days prior to the start of the recipient’s first day of class. Therefore, some out of pocket expenses (e.g. visas and passports, program deposits, airline tickets) will need to be paid in advance of financial aid being released. Participants should budget accordingly.
5. Confirm Financial Aid is in Place for Your Education Abroad Program
Participants should ensure that they have all financial aid documentation in order before they embark on their off-campus program.
As a reminder it is important that aid recipients have the following steps completed.
- Ensure current FAFSA is complete.
- Make sure Enrollment Services/eCampus “To Do List” is complete.
- Confirm Financial aid is awarded.
- Secure a Parent Plus Loan or an Alternative Loan if additional funding is required.
If participants have any questions related to this process, they can contact URI Enrollment Services via their Virtual Lobby or make an appointment with a Financial Aid Counselor via their Starfish account.
6. Know What Fees to Expect
In addition to the education abroad program costs, all students intending to study away must pay the following required fees to URI for each term they are off campus:
The Off-Campus Study (OCS) Registration Fee maintains your URI matriculation while overseas. It will ensure that you remain registered as a student, that all eligible financial aid will be applied to the education abroad program, and that you will have continued, uninterrupted access, to URI services, such as email, international travel insurance, and academic advising. These fees are itemized on the URI e-Campus bill.
OCS 999, 998, 997 – Undergraduate OCS semester fee rates.
OCSG 999, 998, 997– Graduate OCS semester fee rates.
OCS 999, 998, 997 – Undergraduate summer and J-term OCS fee rates.
OCSG 999, 998, 997 – Graduate summer and J-term OCS fee rates.
The OIE Administrative Fee, charged to all undergraduate participants, covers the costs of operating off-campus programs, the expenses associated with URI risk management policies, and pre-departure workshops and materials. These fees are itemized on the URI e-Campus bill.
Please note that these fees are already incorporated in the URI Faculty-Led Summer and Winter J-Term program fees.
All fees subject to change.
| Fee Type | Undergraduate Semester Rate | Undergraduate Winter J-Term Rate |
|---|---|---|
| OCS Fee | $640 | $360 |
| Admin Fee | $350 | $150 |
Contact Information
Office of International Education and National Student Exchange
Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm EST
37 Lower College Road, Kingston, RI, 02881
Phone: 401.874.2395
Email: oie@uri.edu
Advising Appointments
To schedule an appointment, log into Starfish, search for International Education and National Student Exchange and select the advisor based on your college.