Financial Matters

Tuition
When studying abroad under the auspices of Bryn Mawr College, students pay Bryn Mawr tuition to Bryn Mawr College, and are responsible for paying room and board costs directly to the study abroad program. Students studying abroad are fully enrolled at the College, and can make use of College resources, including faculty advising, fellowships advising, career counseling, etc. The credits earned from coursework abroad appear on the Bryn Mawr transcript and these credits allow students to make normal progress toward a Bryn Mawr degree.

Students pay Bryn Mawr tuition to Bryn Mawr, which in turn pays the study abroad tuition to the study abroad program on the student’s behalf.

Room and Board
Students should follow the preferred payment method recommended by the program and submit payments for room and board directly to the program. Some programs accept credit card payments while others require payment by wire transfer. Students should anticipate and budget for wire transfer fees.

Students are encouraged to consider and plan for the additional costs of study abroad early in the study abroad planning process. Students who are typically eligible for financial aid must complete their annual financial aid application before financial aid eligibility can be assessed for study abroad costs. Consult the Office of Financial Aid, which can provide information about financial aid paperwork, address questions about a student’s specific financial situation, and explain the types of aid that can be used for study abroad.

Below is a short list of programs that have recently awarded funds to Bryn Mawr study abroad students

• American Association of Teachers of Japanese | Study Abroad in Japan: Bridging Scholarships
• Benjamin Gilman International Scholarship
  For students who are receiving a Federal Pell Grant. Contact Ellie Stanford, Fellowships Advisor in the Dean’s Office, for more information.
• BUTEX Scholarship
  For study in the United Kingdom.
• DAAD Scholarship Programs
  For study in Germany. Contact Ellie Stanford, Fellowships Advisor in the Dean’s Office, for more information.
• Freeman Awards for Study in Asia
  For U.S. Citizens/permanent residents interested in studying abroad in East Asia.
• NSEP: David L. Boren Scholarships
  For U.S. undergraduate students to study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad. Contact Ellie Stanford, Fellowships Advisor in the Dean’s Office, for more information.
• St. Andrew’s Society of Philadelphia Scholarships
  For one year of study in a Scottish university. Contact Ellie Stanford, Fellowships Advisor in the Dean’s Office, for more information.

Some Bryn Mawr approved study abroad program provider organizations also offer scholarships. Check each program's website at Approved Programs for more information.

Domestic students who are typically eligible for financial aid must complete their annual financial aid application before financial aid eligibility can be assessed for study abroad costs. The College follows the federal guidelines for financial aid.  In order to be eligible for financial aid, a student must complete and submit the required financial aid forms to the Office of Financial Aid no later than the regular annual deadlines published on the financial aid website. They also should indicate on the Bryn Mawr College application for study abroad that they are requesting financial aid. Students should contact the Office of Financial Aid if they have any questions at finaid@brynmawr.edu or by phone at 610-526-5245.

Costs used to determine eligibility for aid from the College for students studying abroad: 

• Bryn Mawr Tuition for one semester (2021-22): $32,250
• Study Abroad Room and Board: varies by program up to Bryn Mawr maximum*
• Book Allowance for one semester: $500
• Personal Allowance one semester: $500
• Airfare: Not Covered (unless a student is Pell-eligible)
• Travel While Abroad: Not Covered

Students are advised to consider the additional costs of study abroad early in the study abroad planning process. Students who are eligible for financial assistance should consult the Office of Financial Aid if they have any questions. Financial aid staff can provide information about financial aid paperwork, address questions about a student's specific financial situation, and explain the types of aid that can be used for study abroad. Students can schedule a meeting with their financial aid counselor on the financial aid website if they have specific questions.

Federal, state, and other forms of financial aid

• Pell Grant
• Federal Direct Loans
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
• Plus Loans
• State Grants
• Private Loans

Bryn Mawr College grants and scholarships

• Merit Scholarships (Merit scholarships are converted to a “JYA Trustee Scholarship.”)
• Bryn Mawr Grants* (Bryn Mawr grants get converted to a “JYA Bryn Mawr Grant.”)
• BMC International Grant* (International grants get converted to a “JYA International grant.”)

*All Bryn Mawr Grant eligibility for the term that the student is studying abroad will be re-calculated based on the actual costs of the study abroad program that the student will be participating in. This could lead to a reduction in Bryn Mawr Grant for that term.

Employment financial aid, such as campus employment or federal work study, cannot be used for study abroad.

If the amount of a student's financial aid is greater than the charges on their Bryn Mawr College tuition bill, they will have a credit on their Bryn Mawr student account. The credit amount will be refunded to the student by direct deposit or a check will be mailed to the student’s home address. The student must use those funds directly to pay the study abroad program for room and board costs.

*For 2024-25 the Bryn Mawr College room and board charge is $9,700 per semester. When room and board fees charged by a program are less than Bryn Mawr's room and board charges, a financial aid recipient should expect their Bryn Mawr Grant aid to be reduced.  When room and board fees charged by a program are more than Bryn Mawr’s room and board, a financial aid recipient will only be awarded up to the maximum amount for room and board charged at Bryn Mawr.

The financial aid refund can only be issued once a credit balance is created. Refunds should not be expected prior to the beginning of the normal Fall/Spring semester at the College because Federal Funds (e.g. Federal Direct Loans, Federal Parent PLUS Loans, Pell Grants and, SEOG Grants) cannot be disbursed until the first day of classes at Bryn Mawr. At that point, refunds are processed based on the regular College refund schedule for on-campus students. If students need an advance on their refund to pay for their study abroad room and board costs, they must make special arrangements with Student Accounts no later than the end of the semester preceding their study abroad semester.  For example, a student who will study abroad fall of their third year must make special arrangements for an advance on their refund no later than the end of the spring semester of their second year.

Students are responsible for the cost of all flights, excursions, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and associated fees, passport and visa processing, books, and daily living expenses. For program fees that need to be paid directly to the program provider, students should follow the preferred payment method recommended by the appropriate service provider and submit payments directly to the vendor or service provider.

Students should consider the additional expenses associated with study abroad. Some large cities like Sydney, Dublin, Buenos Aires, Barcelona, Florence, Paris, and London have a higher cost of living than cities in the U.S.  Students should budget for the additional expenses listed in the table below. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list. Additional costs for study abroad may vary depending on program location.

Students and families should budget and pay for the following expenses to the appropriate service providers.

Pre-departure Expenses

• Application fees
• Admission deposit
• Housing deposit
• Airfare
• Transportation to airport
• Passport application fee
• Visa application fee
• Personal medical insurance
• Personal property insurance

Student Expenses Abroad

• Housing and Meals
• Books and supplies
• Commuting Costs
• Utilities
• Laundry, haircuts, and personal hygiene supplies
• Cell phone
• Dining out and entertainment
• Arrival transportation from airport to program site
• Return transportation from program site to airport

Miscellaneous Expenses

• Academic programs before or after program ends
• Housing before or after program ends
• Meals before or after program ends
• Vacation travel
• Vacation travel hotels/meals
• Emergency reserve money
• Additional transcripts
• Withdrawal fees imposed by the program
• Money wire transfer fees and excess luggage fees

Currency and exchange rates: Exchange rates can change, which may impact your budget. It is important to know the currency of your host country and its exchange rate against the dollar. The latest exchange rates are available online, in newspapers, and at local banks.

Banking: Opening a bank account in another country where you will be staying for a short period of time can be a complicated and lengthy process. It is recommended that, instead, you use a combination of cash, credit cards, and ATM/Debit card.

ATM/Debit cards: In general, you will be able to use your debit card at ATM machines in your host country. You should contact your bank ahead of time to be sure you can use your ATM card in the host country. Some U.S. banks block the use of debit cards in some countries because of concerns about fraud.

Credit cards: Even if you do not plan to use it for daily expenses, it is important to have at least one credit card in your name when travelling abroad, in case of emergencies. Any credit card you use abroad must have your name on it, and the name on the card must be the same as the name in your passport. If you plan to use your family’s credit card, your family should request a card from the credit card company issued in your name. Your family should let your credit card company know you will be studying abroad in the host country. Otherwise, your international purchases may be flagged as fraudulent. It is also important to verify that your credit card will be accepted in your study abroad location, as some American credit card brands are not widely accepted abroad.

Personal checks: Personal checks in U.S dollars or in the currency of another country may not clear in the host country.  Do not bring checks issued in U.S dollars or in the currency of another country.

Wire transfers: If you need money fast, you can have it sent to you by Western Union. Please note that fees may apply and may be excessive. To claim the transfer funds, you will need to present your passport.

Emergency reserves: You should always have some money in reserve, in U.S. dollars and in local currency, particularly when you travel outside of the study abroad country. It is recommended you have about $200 in cash in both dollars and in local currency.