Cost & Financial Aid

How much will it cost?

Study abroad is affordable! FSU offers a wide range of programs that are comparable in cost to living on campus for a semester. We strive to recommend programs overseas where the price of tuition and housing will be similar to the price of tuition and housing at Framingham State. Make an appointment to learn about the most affordable study abroad program recommendations. 

Direct enrollment in foreign universities can be cheaper than attending through an American third-party provider; but the third-party providers may offer financial assistance (awards typically range from $500 to $2500) through merit- or need-based scholarships. Those providers may also include necessary things like insurance coverage and meals. 

When you chose to come to Framingham State for college, we know that the affordability of FSU was likely a major factor in your decision. Indeed, a semester here in Framingham is significantly less expensive than a semester in bigger cities like Boston, New York, or Los Angeles. When thinking of where to study in another country, remember that the famous major cities around the world are usually much more expensive places to spend a semester. In the FSU Office of International Student Services and Study Abroad, we'll be able to talk through your interests and identify a location that best aligns with your goals. 

How to pay for Study Abroad

If you study abroad with the University of East Anglia in England, you will pay your tuition and fees to FSU like usual. If you study anywhere else, you are responsible for paying program bills directly to your study abroad program or host university. Make sure you understand your program’s specific billing procedure.

Many programs and universities will require that you send a deposit to secure your place. This deposit is typically non-refundable and is used to secure housing for you. Due dates for both deposits and fees may differ significantly from those to which you are accustomed at FSU.

How to afford study abroad

Financial aid resources are available to students who study abroad, including school loans and grants. There are also some private organization funds that offer scholarships. As noted above, study abroad is affordable and most FSU students go to programs or institutions overseas where the cost of tuition and housing is similar to those same costs here in Framingham. 

Early and advanced planning is the best way to begin your search for financial assistance. As soon as you can, meet with an advisor in the FSU Office of International Student Services and Study Abroad to begin planning. Even if your planned studies abroad won't be happening until several months into the future, some study abroad scholarship programs have much earlier deadlines.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible to receive financial aid for study abroad?


Yes! Most or all of the financial aid package you receive to be a student here in Framingham may also be available to use for study abroad. Even if you have never received financial aid in the past, you can still consider applying for it during the academic year when you plan to study abroad. You may be eligible for federal loans, grants, and additional forms of assistance. Please contact the FSU Financial Aid Office for specific questions on financial aid.


How do I apply for financial aid?


In order to apply for financial assistance, you must first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), administered by the U.S. Department of Education. This application generates a report which is sent to the FSU Financial Aid Office and is used to determine your eligibility for government grants and student loans. If you decide to accept any of the federal aid for which you are eligible, the U.S. government will send those funds to the FSU Financial Aid Office which, in turn, will release those funds to you so that you can pay your tuition and fees for study abroad. 
 

When should I apply for financial aid?


It is a good idea to apply as early as you can. By applying early, the FSU Financial Aid Office will be able to process and review your application and complete all paperwork in a timely manner.


What happens to my Federal Work-Study award if I study abroad?


Federal Work-Study funds are only able to be disbursed to you for hours you work in part-time jobs on your home campus (Framingham State) in the United States. Unfortunately, these funds cannot be paid to you for any kind of international experience. 


Will my scholarships that are not affiliated with Framingham State transfer over?


Students find that most of the time these scholarships (private scholarships, private loans, etc.) will transfer. To be sure about the transferability of an outside scholarship, you should check with the organization that funds your scholarship. Your scholarship provider may need to receive documentation (such as an acceptance letter) from your chosen study abroad program or institution in order to release their scholarship funds during the semester when you study abroad. 

 

How much of my study abroad costs will financial aid cover?

This depends on a few factors such as the cost of your program, your individual financial need, and the length of time (semester or year) you plan to study abroad. In determining how much assistance you are eligible to receive, both direct costs (tuition, housing) and indirect costs (airfare, books, personal spending, etc.) will all be taken into consideration. As noted earlier, the FSU Office of International Student Services and Study Abroad strives to recommend study abroad opportunities where the cost of things like tuition and housing are similar to those same costs here in Framingham. 



Where can I find financial assistance outside Framingham State University?


In addition to receiving financial aid through Framingham, many study abroad students also receive assistance from resources outside of FSU. This may include private scholarship organizations, funding from your local church or community center, and Rotary and American Legion Clubs, among others.


The following are a few examples of external study abroad scholarships which you might apply for to support your planned studies abroad. Sometimes these scholarships have deadlines that are many months in advance of your study abroad program. This is why early planning is so important. 

  • Boren Awards - extensive merit-based scholarships (up to $12,500 per semester) for students who will study Critical Need Languages in non-traditional destinations
  • BUTEX Scholarships - merit-based awards to study abroad in the UK
  • Critical Language Scholarship - a competitive summer study abroad program that pays the full cost for students to study Critical Need Languages at various sites around the world
  • Diverse International Women of Color Scholarship - $500 scholarships for women of color who have been accepted to an In-Person Study Abroad Program or Study Abroad International Internship (must receive college credit).
  • Freeman-ASIA Scholarship - merit-based scholarships of up to $5,000 for students who plan to study abroad in an East Asian country
  • Fund for Education Abroad - extensive scholarships (up to $10,000 per semester) for students with demonstrated financial need
  • Gilman International Scholarship - grants of up to $8,000 per semester for high-achieving students who are also Federal Pell Grant recipients
  • Gilman-McCain Scholarship - grants of up to $5,000 for students who are the children of active duty military service members
  • Going Abroad Scholarship - grant of $1,000 from a travel company that encourages study abroad
  • HACU Scholarship Program - various grants for students from Latinx families
  • Joy Worldwide - scholarships for under-represented students pursuing study abroad opportunities
  • NIAF Scholarship Program - various grants for students with at least one family member who holds membership in the National Italian American Foundation
  • Tortuga Backpack Study Abroad Grant - an award of $1,000 (and a travel backpack) from a company that encourages study abroad
  • Program-Specific Scholarships - check with your study abroad institution or provider organization to see if they offer any internal awards for incoming study abroad students
  • FSU International Programs Scholarships - FSU is proud to offer various need-based grants (ranging from $500 to $2,000 per semester) to support our students' international education; an application is available every semester through the FSU Office of International Student Services and Study Abroad

To receive credit for courses to be taken during study abroad after matriculation, students must obtain approval in advance from appropriate department chairs. Retroactive approval will not be given.

You must complete all paperwork before you depart for the semester and submit it to the Registrar's office!

In preparation for departure, you MUST enroll in course ABRD for the semester you will be away. This course will keep you as an active student for financial aid, health insurance, etc.

How To Get Course Approval

Students must fill out an off-campus course approval form. This will include a course description from the institution abroad, as well as signatures from FSU department chairs. Please visit the Office of International Student Services and Study Abroad for more details.

It is the student's responsibility to have official transcripts sent directly by the foreign institution to the Office of the Registrar.

How Credit is Calculated

Transfer credit is given only for courses in which the student received a grade of C- or better.

Courses must extend for at least a three-week period and meet a minimum of forty-five hours. Although credit is awarded for all approved transfer courses, the grades will not be recorded on the student's Framingham State University transcripts nor be counted in computing the quality point average.

Students enrolled in Framingham State coursework or for-credit internships away from campus for the spring semester, and who want fall housing, should participate in the housing selection process through the myResLife portal according to room selection guidelines.

Residents enrolled in Framingham State coursework or for-credit internships away from campus for the fall semester, who want housing for the Spring semester, should complete the housing application on myResLife during the Fall semester.  Please note, spring semester vacancies tend to be limited and preferences will be considered, but cannot be guaranteed.

Fall resident students who are enrolled in FSU recognized study abroad for the Spring semester should contact Residence Life directly to request release from the Residence Hall License Agreement.

Do something you never thought possible:  Get your graduate degree abroad! 

Begin looking at universities that offer graduate programs in your field through such various websites as:

United States federal aid programs may be utilized by students for graduate programs in the U.S. or at accredited universities around the world. 

Most international universities offer scholarships directly to students and many will automatically consider applicants for all available funding opportunities. Please consult the International Student admissions section of the particular university's website.

Also, please see the list below for additional opportunities, funded for study worldwide. Please note that deadlines are usually a year in advance, so pre-planning is essential.