Financial Aid and Scholarships

When you study abroad at Tulane, you will be charged your normal Tulane tuition along with the academic support fee. Students are enrolled full-time at Tulane University while abroad via placeholder course. This ensures a continuity of care for students. All credits return as general elective credit*, Tulane continues to offer support while abroad, and Tulane approved programs offer a robust, pre-vetted academic experience for students. The tuition payment does not cover additional costs such as housing, flights, food, passport/visa fees, course fees beyond tuition (ex. studio fee), or incidentals. 

While students may see quoted prices for "educational costs" or "tuition and fees" on the website of their provider or host university, this does not mean that they are responsible for payment of both Tulane tuition and program tuition. Under the home school tuition model, the NTC Office of Study Abroad pays the program tuition and fee cost to the provider or host university on behalf of the student while students pay tuition and fees at the full-time Tulane rate via Accounts Receivable. 

 We use this model because it allows students to utilize their institutional scholarships and federal loans, both of which are tied to full-time enrollment at Tulane University. 

All financial aid and scholarships - including the Dean's Honor Scholarship, Presidential Scholarships, Posse Scholarships, etc. - are applicable toward tuition while abroad. In the semester prior to departure, students are asked to register in a 12-credit hour placeholder course in Gibson. As such, they remain registered as full-time Tulane students while abroad. This placeholder course triggers disbursement of financial aid through Accounts Receivable. 

Students who have tuition waivers should check with the awarding office or entity (for example, H.R. for employee tuition waivers) regarding eligibility. Most tuition waivers are applicable on approved Tulane study abroad programs. Waivers specific to housing will likely not transfer over but students should contact the awarding office for further information. 

OSA Housing Policy
STUDY ABROAD HOUSING POLICY
Tulane students studying abroad through the Office of Study Abroad through provider programs (e.g. CIEE, IFSA, CEA CAPA, DIS, IES, SIT, and others) and consortium programs (e.g. Educo) are required to live in program housing.  Students studying abroad through a direct enroll or exchange program in which there is no guarantee of program housing are permitted to arrange independent housing.

Housing-Related Accommodations
If you are registered to receive accommodations with the Goldman Center and approved for medically based housing accommodations while at Tulane, the Goldman Center can provide a letter detailing your specific housing needs for submission to your program. Many programs can meet your medically based housing needs while adhering to their requirements and the recommended accommodations.
If you are not registered with the Goldman Center and do not have approval for a medically based housing accommodation, you must submit your request and complete their interactive process to receive a recommendation for accommodation while studying abroad. Again, if your program has a specific housing requirement, the process will be geared towards (1) identifying the most appropriate form of housing offered by the program that can best support your medical needs and (2) recommending placement in that form of housing. On-site staff have ultimate approval on whether housing accommodations can be met on site, but many programs are both willing and able to meet your documented medical needs.
Should the program’s on-site staff determine that they are unable to meet the recommended accommodation request, then they may offer independent housing as an option following consultation with OSA and Goldman. 

Requesting an Exception to the Housing Policy

Exceptions to the housing policy are very rarely granted.

However, there are two specific situations in which you may request an exception:
1.    You have a documented disability on file with Goldman that your program cannot accommodate. 
2.    You have an immediate family member living in your host city and plan to live with them.
If you hope to live with immediate family, you may submit a request via your study abroad program who will then collaborate with the Office of Study Abroad. Advisors with your study abroad program will guide you through the process of requesting a housing exception based on living with a family member. The ultimate approval of your housing location is vetted by your program.  

Please note: Requests that do not fall into one of the two categories above will not be considered. Again, exceptions are uncommon because most programs are able to work closely with Goldman to meet your needs.

FAQ:  

1.)    Why are most OSA students required to live in program housing?  
o    Cultural immersion:  One of the goals of primary learning outcomes of a study abroad experience is intercultural adaptability.  Students have increased opportunities to achieve this goal if they are immersed in a housing situation consisting of a homestay or a residence hall with other international students.
o    Safety:  Our partners abroad work with landlords and property managers who have been vetted.  Should there be a housing-related issue abroad, your program can work with housing provider on your behalf. Should there be an international emergency, it will be easier for us to track you down and provide emergency services.  
o    Consistency:  This policy is consistent with Tulane’s junior year housing requirement, which requires that students live on campus.  

2.)    How can I get out of this policy?
1.    Exceptions to this policy may be requested if you have a documented disability with Goldman that requires independent housing that cannot be met by the program. Such exceptions are rare, as most programs CAN meet documented medically-based accommodation needs. 
2.    Secondly, if you have an immediate family member in your host city with whom you will stay.  Outside of these two conditions, no other exceptions to this rule will be granted.
3.    Students who study abroad on a direct enroll or exchange program through which program housing is not guaranteed are permitted to find their own housing. 
3.)    I was granted independent housing to live with my family. Can I extend the offer to a friend so we can live together? No. Your exception is for you alone.
4.)    What if I arrive and my housing isn’t what I expected or doesn’t meet Tulane’s standards?
If you have concerns about your housing when you arrive, you should contact your program provider right away. They are your first point of contact and are best positioned to address housing issues and advocate for you.

Please note: You cannot unilaterally decide to move out of your assigned housing. All housing concerns must go through your provider, and any changes must be approved by them.
5.)    Can I get location-based accommodations to have a shorter commute?
No.

We understand that commuting in a new city might feel unfamiliar or longer than what you're used to in the U.S. However, longer commutes are often a normal part of daily life in many parts of the world, and living like a local is a key part of the study abroad experience.

While it may take some adjustment, navigating public transportation or walking longer distances is part of immersing yourself in another culture—and often leads to some of the most memorable and eye-opening experiences.
We encourage you to embrace the opportunity to explore your host city as locals do.
 

Students should make a financial plan for their study abroad semester or year in consultation with their Financial Aid Counselor if necessary. Details about meeting with your counselor are available on the Tulane Financial Aid website. 

When studying abroad on an approved program, students remain classified with their class year and semester cohort, and are thereby able to preregister for courses, participate in on-campus housing selection from abroad, and otherwise prepare for the upcoming academic year at the same time as their cohort. Course titles taken abroad, in all cases, are reflected on their transcripts. 

All students, regardless of when they enter Tulane or which approved program they attend, receive administrative support throughout the study abroad cycle. This support includes:

• Faculty review and approval of study abroad programs
• Advising on approved study abroad options
• Assistance with applications and study proposals
• Pre-departure orientation
• Continued opportunity to contact advising while abroad
• Verification of status with the Tulane Financial Aid Office and the Registrar
• Assistance with major/minor credit approval and credit/grade transfer
• Workshops surrounding re-entry and adjustment to Tulane

Additional activities for students include grant workshops and presentations throughout the year from program representatives and former study abroad participants.

In addition to Tulane tuition and fees, students are responsible for the cost of room and board, flights, insurance, and personal expenses abroad. OSA recommends that students prepare budgets based on cost of living in the host city along with student habits and lifestyles. Our staff has created a spreadsheet to assist students based on feedback from study abroad alumni.

Study Abroad Budget Spreadsheet

The NTC Office of Study Abroad recognizes that planning financially for a semester abroad can be stressful, and that many students may need to identify additional funding options to cover the cost of flights, excursions, and other expenses abroad. Below are some scholarship options to help you as you begin your search. Need help finding funding opportunities? Visit our scholarships page and contact an OSA advisor or peer advisor for more help!