Financing & Scholarships

Questions of funding can often be integral to the decision and planning processes for study away.

Careful and advanced planning will help you find the right study opportunity and the necessary financial support. We suggest allowing anywhere from six to 18 months to research funding options, file applications, and organize paperwork. It’s also important to include the right people in your financing conversations. Study Abroad can guide you through certain costs associated with your chosen programs, while Student Financial Services is available to show you how your financial aid may be applied toward those costs.

SAIC Fees and Billing
Certain costs for your semester away experience will be billed via your student account. These costs include tuition for 12 or 15 credits that you will take during your term abroad, SAIC health insurance, and the SAIC technology and facilities fee.

Tuition
For SAIC-sponsored study away programs (international exchange, mobility, and tuition transfer), tuition is charged per-credit and at the regular undergraduate rates. Tuition fees are posted to your student account and due by the program start date.

Health Insurance
Students participating in a SAIC-sponsored semester away program are required to carry adequate health insurance coverage. In addition, some programs may require you to purchase additional coverage. Students enrolled for SAIC credit during a semester away program are automatically enrolled in and charged for SAIC’s Health Insurance Plan. If you hold a private insurance policy of equal or better coverage, you may waive SAIC's plan and associated fees. Reach out to the Study Abroad office for more details on how to submit a health insurance waiver for your term abroad.

SAIC Technology and Facilities Fee
Students on SAIC-sponsored semester away programs continue to have access to the SAIC key server and CRIT support even while living away from Chicago. As such, study away students are still responsible for paying the SAIC technology and facilities fee.

Additional Costs and Budgeting
There are additional costs associated with study away programs outside of those charged through SAIC. When building a budget, it's important to anticipate and plan for as many of these additional costs as possible. Here are typical costs that you may want to consider:

• Airfare and on-ground transportation costs—How much does it cost to get you from your home to your study away location via plane, train, car, etc.? During your program, how much will it cost you to get around day-to-day? 
• Passport—Students participating in international semester away programs are required to have a valid passport. Passport application and renewal fees can be significant, especially if you need rush service.
• Visa—Most semester abroad programs will require you to apply for a visa to enter the host country since your semester will be considered a long-term program (longer than 90 days). Visa requirements may differ depending on your country of citizenship. Check with the host country’s embassy or consulate for visa requirements and fees.
• Housing—Housing costs for semester away programs can vary dramatically depending on the host location and type of housing. Research typical housing costs for your host location and multiply that by the duration of your program. Some partner schools offer housing that can be facilitated through the school; some don't, which would mean that you will need to arrange your own housing. 
• Books/supplies—Consider which books and supplies you will be able to take with you and which supplies you may need to purchase in your host location. Costs for your usual art supplies may be different than what you are used to in Chicago.
• Travel insurance—You may want to purchase additional travel insurance to protect your trip and any equipment you bring with you. 
   

Creating a Study Away Budget
When choosing a program, you should compare the cost of living and attending classes on-campus with the cost of your prospective study away program. As discussed above, costs to consider in both locations include tuition, rent, food, supplies, transportation, health insurance, etc. These calculations will help guide your strategy for funding your time away. Note that working while on study away is typically not allowed.

• Loans can be used to meet funding requirements for semester away programs. Additional loan funding may be available while pursuing a semester away. Make an appointment with your Student Financial Services advisor to discuss your options if you are working with the Study Abroad office on your plans to pursue studying abroad. You should consider work-study amendments, cost of living, and how that may affect your funding and extra expenses, including airfares, relocation expenses, and visa fees
• Odyssey Travel Grants may be used for semester away programs
• Merit scholarships are awarded to students upon admission to SAIC. Merit scholarship funds are applied to SAIC tuition on a prorated basis based on the number of credits students are enrolled in. Your merit scholarship and tuition per credit hour will remain the same for the semester away at our partner schools, to what it would have been if you remained on campus. 

Skowhegan Matching Fellowships

Skowhegan is an art school located on a 350-acre campus in rural Maine. Each summer, a group of about 65 emerging artists from around the world and 10 resident and visiting faculty artists engage in an experimental framework of learning that promotes the sharing of knowledge and skills between artists. With the aim of encouraging exchange and openness, we provide a transversal and intergenerational environment for production, risk-taking, research, conversations, and critical thinking. During the program, each individual’s practice influences the collective endeavor as we explore together what “making” means to artists.

Award: SAIC matches funds with Skowhegan to provide two SAIC graduate or advanced senior students with full scholarships each summer, covering tuition, room, and board.

Visit skowheganart.org for more details about the school, the residency, artists and application process.

The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program 

The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program provides immersive summer programs for US undergraduate and graduate students to learn languages of strategic importance to the United States’ national security and economic prosperity. Through intensive language instruction and structured cultural activities, participants receive the equivalent of one year of language study in just eight weeks.

Since its inception in 2006, the CLS Program has supported over 10,000 participants from all 50 US states, D.C., and Puerto Rico in building critical language skills and intercultural competence. CLS alumni represent all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. CLS alumni remain part of a vibrant global network, with opportunities to stay engaged through year-round activities and special initiatives that foster continued learning, professional growth, and connection.

Program Benefits
Participants in the CLS Program will receive:

• Intensive language instruction and cultural enrichment experiences; 
• Textbooks and language learning materials; 
• Official certification of language gains through ACTFL OPI test;
• Academic credit issued through Bryn Mawr College
• International and domestic travel between the student's home city in the US and the CLS Program site abroad; 
• Visa application fees, where applicable; and 
• Room, board, and program-sponsored travel within the host country or location.

Visit clscholarship.org to learn more about the program, eligibility requirements, and languages that are part of the program.

China Scholarship Council Exchange Scholarship

In order to strengthen mutual understanding and friendship between the Chinese and people around the world and promote China’s exchange and cooperation with other countries in various fields, the Chinese government sets up scholarships for talented students and scholars to pursue higher education or conduct research in Chinese universities.

The China Scholarship Council (CSC), entrusted by China’s Ministry of Education, is responsible for the admission, enrollment and administration of Chinese Government Scholarship recipients. Admission to the selected university for scholarship winners is arranged by the China Scholarship Council (CSC), and recipients also receive a visa application, which is pre-approved by the Chinese Ministry of Education. Applicants (per CSC guidelines) must be US citizens and in good health.

Visit campuschina.org for more details about this and other programs and scholarship opportunities facilitated by the Chinese Ministry of Education.