Financial Planning

Financial Considerations for Choosing a Program

Cost is a crucial factor to consider when selecting an international experience. Not only should you understand the costs of your program, but you should also anticipate the additional costs associated with your travel. Please visit the sections below for information on tuition, housing, meal costs, and study abroad program fees for DU Partner Programs (DUPP) and unaffiliated programs. You must understand all of the items and services that will and will not be included in your program. 

In the spirit of the commitment of the Cherrington Global Scholars (CGS) initiative, we hope that financial constraints never be the sole reason that a student is not able to study abroad. If you know that finances will be a challenge for you, please 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)

TUITION CHARGES 
Students participating in a term-length program (quarter or semester term) continue to pay tuition to DU, and DU pays the student’s tuition to the study abroad program on their behalf. All DU financial aid, including academic scholarships, state aid, need-based aid, and outside assistance, is still applied toward the DU tuition charge. See more details on our Financial Aid page. 

ROOM/BOARD CHARGES 
Depending on the billing agreement with the specific study abroad program, students may be charged for DU housing and DU meals. If students are charged DU housing and DU meals, DU pays the student’s room/board to the study abroad program on their behalf.  

If students are not billed DU room/board, students will be required to pay room/board directly to their institution abroad or the program provider.  

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 the student, minus any damages to the housing.

STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM FEE 
To ensure the long-term sustainability and quality of our study abroad offerings, the Office of International Education charges a program fee for select study abroad programs. Unlike traditional on-campus courses, study abroad programs can incur significantly higher operational expenses, including extensive on-site support, organized cultural excursions, and often higher costs for instruction and facilities abroad.  

  • DU Partner Program Costs

    If you participate for a single quarter or semester DU Partner Program, your DU student bill will include:  

    • DU Tuition (For current DU tuition, please see the Office of Student Billing website.) 

    • DU Technology Fee 

    • DU Housing Fee* (price of a DU on-campus double apartment)  
      *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. 

    • DU Meal Plan** (price of the DU 125 Block Meal plan) 
      **If a DUPP does not include meals, you will not be charged for DU meals. 

    • DU Study Abroad Program Fee*** ($2500, $5000, $10,000 depending on program) 
      ***If a DUPP requires a study abroad program fee, students will be charged $2500, $5000, or $10,000 in addition to DU tuition and DU room/board (if applicable). 

    • DU Student Health Insurance Plan (unless you opt-out) 

     
     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). 

    All costs will be listed in the program brochure’s Costs/Scholarships tab. Please review this information carefully.  

    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.