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Siena Abroad
Finances & Funding

Finances & Funding

Studying abroad is a life-changing experience, but there's always the big question hanging in the air - how much does it cost?! Click through the menu below to gain a better understanding of how you can afford your international experience.

Semester / Academic Year Study Abroad

Billing
  • Siena has a "home school tuition" model for semester/academic year study abroad, which means you continue to pay Siena College as normal for your study abroad term. You are billed as usual for Siena tuition, and all financial aid and scholarship awards are therefore applicable.
  • This "home school tuition" model not only allows you to maintain financial aid and scholarship money, but it also provides a key service in assuring prompt and accurate payment of international invoices. In addition, you will maintain full-time status as a Siena student, retain student email accounts and access to campus resources, participate in the housing lottery (for resident students), have access to academic advisors and administrative staff, and be allowed to register for courses while abroad.
  • The Office of Business Services handles nearly all payments to our approved semester programs. Should you receive a bill, it should not be paid without first conferring with Business Services, who handles all issues related to study abroad billing. This will avoid duplication of payment, which is often difficult to refund. The exception to this are initial application fees and refundable damage deposits for housing (on certain programs), for which you are responsible.
  • All student account balances must be paid in full prior to studying abroad, in order to participate in the study abroad program, receive transcripts, and register for classes for the following semester.
Cancellation & Withdrawal
  • In the event of a voluntary withdrawal by a student from a semester or academic year program, fees paid out by Siena College to a foreign university or study abroad program are not refundable. 
  • Study abroad programs have their own withdrawal and refund policies, and students should pay close attention to those during the application process.
FINANCIAL AID & FUNDING
  • Semester-long and academic year study abroad students can use their financial aid to help cover the costs of studying abroad. Siena College aid and federal aid are applied to students' bills as usual. Even if you do not receive any financial aid, a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) must be filed.
  • Work-study is not available when you study abroad, as you are not on Siena's campus and able to work. if you receive work-study as part of your financial aid package, you must contact the Office of Financial Aid before your semester abroad to let them know you want to maintain your work-study funds for when you return from study abroad.
Housing & Meals
  • Students are charged a standard housing rate, based on the current academic year's costs, for their accommodation abroad.
  • If meals are included in the study abroad program, you will also be charged a standard meal plan, based on the current academic year's costs. If meals are not included, you will not be charged for a meal plan and will pay out-of-pocket for your meals while abroad.
  • If you are a commuter student, you will be billed as a resident student for the semester(s) you study abroad and will pay the standard housing rate. Your status as a commuter student will resume when you return from study abroad.
ADDITIONAL EXPENSES
  • All travel and incidental expenses are your responsibility. These include, but are not limited to: roundtrip airfare; visa fees (when applicable); international insurance (provided by the Center for International Programs if not included with your program); personal expenses (i.e. shopping, independent travel).
  • Prior to departure, we will connect you with study abroad returnees to gain a better understanding of estimated financial expenses in your host country. Please see our Semester Study Abroad Budget Template to help estimate your costs.

SHORT-TERM WINTER & SUMMER PROGRAMS

BILLING, Financial aid & funding
  • Short-term study abroad programs are an out-of-pocket expense for students. Unlike semester-long programs, Siena College tuition does not cover short-term program costs. Thus, you are responsible for paying all program and travel expenses. 
  • In most cases, students will pay their winter and/or summer study abroad fees directly to their program. There are some cases, particularly for winter programs designed and managed by Siena, where students will be charged their study abroad fees on their student account. This information will be clearly outlined for students during the advising process.
  • Unfortunately, in most cases, Siena College financial aid and scholarship monies cannot be used to offset the cost of short-term programs. For more information on how your specific financial aid package can be used for short-term study abroad, please contact the Office of Financial Aid.
  • Some study abroad programs or foreign universities may have their own scholarships to offset program costs. Your study abroad advisor can also advise on national funding opportunities available for study abroad.
CANCELLATION & WITHDRAWAL
  • Short-term winter and summer study abroad programs have their own withdrawal and refund policies, and students should pay close attention to those during the application process. Students can chat with their study abroad advisor to discuss withdrawal and refund timelines further.
aDDITIONAL EXPENSES
  • All travel and incidental expenses are your responsibility. These include, but are not limited to: roundtrip airfare; international insurance (provided by the Center for International Programs if not included with your program); personal expenses (i.e. shopping, independent travel).
  • Prior to departure, we will connect you with study abroad returnees to gain a better understanding of estimated financial expenses in your host country. 

international travel courses

enrollment
  • International travel courses are classes offered at Siena that have a travel component (typically at the end of the semester) where the class travels together to a location specific to the course.
  • Students enroll in international travel courses by permission of instructor. Students will only receive permission after signing a participation form where they agree to be billed for the travel course fee. For more information, contact the professor(s) in charge of your travel course.
billing
  • International travel course fees are different for each course, but typically include: roundtrip airfare; lodging; onsite transportation; entrance fees to any arranged sites that are part of the course travel; and few meals.
  • Students are billed for travel course fees through Siena, typically in three separate installments.
withdrawal
  • Once students complete the participation form, they agree to pay a non-refundable deposit. This deposit cannot be refunded even if a student withdraws or drops the course.
  • Students should speak with their professor prior to dropping a travel course. Failure to do so may result in having to pay unrecoverable fees. If a student withdraws during the semester the travel is happening, there may be additional fees that are not refundable.

SCHOLARSHIP & FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Don't let a perceived lack of fund spoil your ability to study abroad. We're here to help! Email international@siena.edu to discuss the many scholarship opportunities available to help make your study abroad dream a reality. From small grants and nationally-competitive awards to aid and assistance from your study abroad program, there is money out there!

POPular study abroad scholarships
  • Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship - Funding up to $5,000 for students who are recipients of a Federal Pell Grant, with preference for programs in non-traditional locations (Africa, Asia, and Latin America) as well as Gilmar partner locations (France, Germany, New Zealand, and Portugal). Contact Abi Cavazos (acavazos@siena.edu) to learn more.
  • Boren Scholarship for International Study - Funding up to $10,000 to study for at least 1-2 semesters in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad, in exchange for the student's commitment to seek work in the federal government.
  • Bridging Scholarships - Funding for semester or academic year study abroad programs in Japan.
  • BUTEX Scholarships - Funding of £500 for students spending a semester or academic year at a BUTEX-affiliated university in the United Kingdom (including LSE, University of Glasgow, University of Roehampton and Queen's University).
  • Diverse International Women of Color Scholarship - Funding to assist women of color who are exceptional in their studies and in need of financial assistance to study abroad in the summer.
  • Freeman-ASIA Scholarship - Funding for U.S. students with demonstrated financial need to study abroad in East or Southeast Asia.
  • Fund for Education Abroad Scholarships - Funding for summer, semester, or academic year study abroad programs.
  • Rotary District Grants - Funding provided by your local Rotary Club to support your study abroad plans. Start at the above link, and then take the time to get in touch with members of your local club.
Program aid & assistance
  • Certain study abroad organizations or foreign universities offer their own scholarships and aid to students participating in their programs. Details of these opportunities will be provided on your study abroad program's website. Typically, students would apply for these scholarships at the same time they apply to their program. Speak to your study abroad advisor to learn more.
further resources