Financial Planning

Financial Considerations for Choosing a Program

Cost is an important factor to consider when choosing an international experience. Not only should you understand the costs of your program but you should also anticipate the other costs that will be associated with your travel. Please visit the sections below regarding tuition, housing, and meal costs of DU Partner Programs (DUPP) and unaffiliated programs. It is important that you understand all of the items and services that will and will not be included in your program.

Studying abroad doesn't have to be more expensive than staying at DU. If you plan ahead, few locations are out of reach, even with a limited budget. You need to be realistic about how cost-of-living varies around the world, but that can work in your favor. Sometimes, it's even possible to save money by studying abroad!

In the spirit of the commitment of the Cherrington Global Scholars (CGS) initiative, it is our hope that financial constraints never be the sole reason that a student is not able to study abroad. If you are aware that finances will be a challenge for you, let your OIE advisor know these concerns early on in the advising process and we will do our best to find a program that fits your budget.

Finances

DU Partner Programs (DUPP)

The University of Denver believes that finances should not limit students’ study abroad options. We aim to make DU costs as equal as possible across all of our DU Partner Programs (DUPPs) by charging standard DU rates for tuition, housing, and meals. This model standardizes program costs for students and ensures finances aren’t a disqualifying factor for particular programs. Of course, some DUPPs are more expensive than DU, while others are less expensive. These cost differences are used to cover program costs for the entire DUPP portfolio, as well as study abroad administrative costs (foreign transcript processing, risk management, etc.).

Because we charge DU rates, we can treat credit earned abroad as DU resident credit. This further reduces the financial impact of studying abroad, as it allows students to use DU institutional aid while attending partner institutions abroad. DU also subsidizes DUPPs through Cherrington Global Scholars benefits. These benefits allow eligible students to offset some of the additional costs that come with studying abroad, like airfare and immigration fees.

  • DU Partner Program Costs

    If you participate for a single quarter or semester DU Partner Program, your DU student bill will include:
    (For current DU fees, please see the Bursar's website.)

    *In the case a program does not include housing, or DU does not have housing included in the billing agreement, you will not be charged for DU housing.
    **If a DUPP does not include meals, you will not be charged for DU meals.

    Program fees paid directly to program: Students may be asked to pay a fully refundable housing deposit directly to their program to secure their housing assignment. Please note this is not considered part of the DU Housing Fee, as it is fully refundable to you minus any damages to your housing. In some cases, students may pay for housing directly to the program, if housing is not included in DU's billing agreement. 

    Financial Aid: Generally, all DU institutional aid, along with federal or state financial aid other than work-study, will apply to the cost of a DUPP. See more details on our Financial Aid page.

    Academic Year Abroad: Students who study abroad for a full academic year will be charged for a full academic year at DU (i.e., three quarters).

    For complete information, please view DU Study Abroad Policies.

Unaffiliated Programs

On unaffiliated programs, students pay program costs directly to the program provider. This means that unaffiliated program costs can vary dramatically. Some are more expensive than DU, while others are less expensive. Students should consider net costs. DU students receive a variety of financial aid packages, and the details of an individual’s package will affect the overall cost of study abroad on an unaffiliated program. Students cannot use DU institutional aid (incl. Cherrington Global Scholars benefits) on these programs.

  • Unaffiliated Program Cost

    Students who receive approval for an unaffiliated program will pay the program directly for the costs of the chosen program. If you participate for a single quarter or semester unaffiliated program, your DU student bill will include:
    (For current DU fees, please see the Bursar's website.)

    • DU Technology Fee
    • DU Study Abroad Administrative Fee
    • DU Student Health Insurance Plan (unless you opt out)
    • Tuition for Required Study Abroad Course(s)
      • Unaffiliated students who go abroad during the academic year are required to take the online course INTZ 2502: Being a Global Citizen while abroad. These students will be required to pay for the one credit of DU tuition associated with INTZ 2502 while abroad.

    Program fees paid directly to program: Students who receive approval for an unaffiliated program will pay the program directly for the costs of their chosen program. Make sure to check the cost of the program and understand what is included (i.e. housing, meals, etc.)

    Financial Aid: DU institutional aid will not apply to unaffiliated programs, but federal and state aid may apply. See more details on our Financial Aid page.

    Summer Abroad: Summer programs other than faculty-led programs and approved summer DU Partner Programs are considered unaffiliated programs and are therefore subject to a $150 Study Abroad Administrative fee and the DU technology fee.

    For complete information, please view DU Study Abroad Policies.

Students with VA Education Benefits should also consider whether their intended program is eligible for GI Bill coverage. Please review the VA's GI Bill Comparison Tool for more information, remaining aware that the VA’s guidelines are subject to change at any time. Also, reach out to DU's Veterans Services and your School Certifying Official to discuss your study abroad plans and VA benefit implications. It is important that you understand all of the items and services that will and will not be included in your program.

Billing Schedule

All billing for University of Denver fees follows the DU billing calendar, as if students were on campus the term they are abroad, regardless of the dates of their study abroad program. Please note that some study abroad programs will have begun before DU issues its invoices.

Unaffiliated Program Fees: See above regarding DU billing schedule. Students’ unaffiliated program costs (tuition and program fees) will follow the schedule set by their program. Students are responsible for adhering to all procedures and deadlines as set forth by the unaffiliated program.