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Program Fee vs. Tuition

Study Abroad and Exchange Program Fees

Cost Fluctuation and Fee Changes

Payment of Fees

Do you pay a comprehensive PROGRAM FEE or TUITION for your program?

The way overseas academic programs are paid for is generally related to the type or style of program it is. The common use of the term “Study Abroad” for all programs is somewhat misleading and can be confusing because study abroad is also used to describe a type of program.

In general, a study abroad program consists of a group of UWM students going to a certain site, mostly accompanied by a faculty member but sometimes not. It is a one-way program of UWM (U.S.) students to a certain country or destination. Students on study abroad programs pay a comprehensive program fee that covers their academic, administrative and housing costs, and also sometimes includes airfare, excursions, some food, health insurance, and other costs. When students pay this program fee they DO NOT pay UWM tuition. The only exception to this is for students on summer study abroad who may have a combination of on-campus (tuition based) classes and study abroad. Tuition for the on-campus classes must be paid separately to the Bursar Office.

The other type of program abroad is an exchange program. UWM students on exchange swap places with an international exchange student from the university where they are going. They pay home school UWM tuition based on their residency status (except for the student segregated fees), as well as study abroad office fees. All other costs are paid abroad.

Study Abroad and Exchange Program Fees

The office of Overseas Programs and Partnerships (OPP) is pleased to welcome you to the start of a great adventure in learning and discovery abroad. OPP is a student service-oriented unit of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s (UWM) Center for International Education. Our office supports the development, implementation and integration of overseas academic programs across all of UWM’s schools and colleges. OPP offers a multitude of services to ensure that students have an efficient experience from start to finish. For example, OPP answers initial study abroad inquiries from individual faculty and students; we also serve as a resource for in-depth pre-departure information on topics ranging from academics, credit transfer, financial aid and other scholarship assistance, as well as cultural adjustment and health and safety concerns. Moreover, OPP sustains a 24-hour emergency response network, collects post-program evaluations from students and faculty, and provides venues for returnees to share their experiences abroad with the rest of the campus through volunteer and work opportunities with our office.

Like many student services units on university campuses today, OPP is a self-supporting office. This means that OPP would not exist without charging program fees to students. The program fee charged is the same for all UWM students on study abroad and exchange programs, regardless of whether it is a UWM-sponsored program or not. This fee is based on the duration of your program abroad, currently $200.00 (short-term/summer/winterim); $450.00 (semester); and $900.00 (academic year). In addition, the UW System Board of Regents has mandated that all students from UW System campuses must be covered by comprehensive health insurance chosen by the UW System. This insurance is provided through the Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) Company at a cost of $31.00 per month.

Cost Fluctuations & Fee Changes

Overseas costs can vary dramatically by continent, country, urban or rural environment, and the strength of the U.S. dollar against foreign currencies. The cost of living in western Europe is more than the cost of living in Latin America—Spain is far more expensive than Mexico or Belize. Costs vary by location within a country or region, as well. Paris is a more expensive place to live than a village in the Massif Central. On the other hand, a program in a South American capital, such as Buenos Aires or Santiago, is likely to be somewhat more costly that a program in rural Spain. (From Study Abroad: A Parent’s Guide by William W. Hoffa, NAFSA, 1998). In short, you will need to take these things into account when planning your finances.

OPP must also deal with worldwide cost fluctuations as it deals with overseas vendors, hotels, etc. and occasionally the program fees for UWM study abroad programs must be altered. Another factor that affects the program cost besides those listed above is the number of students participating on a program. Program fees are set based on a realistic estimate of participants and when that number is exceeded, costs may be reduced. Likewise, if the number of participants is less than expected, the cost per student may increase.

Payment of Study Abroad and Exchange Program Fees (Managing Your Finances)

After your initial program application deposit is paid to OPP, once accepted you will also need to confirm your participation by making another payment to OPP. After those two payments all remaining study abroad and exchange program fee charges will be added (posted) to your PAWS account, according to the amount you owe, and all future payments will be made to the UWM Bursar’s Office in Mitchell Hall 285. To learn about the variety of payment methods available for the Bursar’s Office payments, please visit the following website: http://www.bfs.uwm.edu/fees/.  It is your responsibility to manage your finances by keeping track of payments and monitoring your PAWS account. The Bursar’s Office will place an “academic hold” on the records of any student whose fees are not paid in full. An academic hold will prevent you from registering, receiving grades, ordering a transcript, etc. In addition, interest will accrue on the overdue amount. If you plan to use financial aid to make program payments, please read the next section.