51ÉçÇø

The good news is that UNO Education Abroad has put in the effort to provide you with study abroad options that are affordable and within reach for all budgets. Here are some tips for finding a program that you can afford:

• When you meet with your Global Learning Advisor, tell them that finances is one of your biggest concerns and you're looking for a low-cost program.
• Choose a program that best matches the financial aid package you already recieve. UNO has semester study abroad programs that are similar in price to a term of learning and living at UNO.
• Be open to a variety of destinations. The cost of living in your host country will have a big impact on your final budget, because housing, food, transportation, and other in-country costs will be based on the local economy. UNO has exchange programs where the cost of housing is $0 (free) to $350 per month, where groceries and eating out are less expensive than 51ÉçÇø, and so forth. There are also programs where the cost of living is similar or higher than it is in Nebraska.
• Keep in mind what is an 'extra' expense, and what you would be spending money on either way. For many students, you will be spending money on tuition and fees, housing, groceries, and other daily living expenses whether you are in 51ÉçÇø or in another city abroad. The 'extra' expenses of study abroad include the flights, international insurance, application and travel document costs, spending money, and anything else you normally wouldn't spend your money on back in 51ÉçÇø.
• Stay for longer. While the final price tag for your study abroad will be more for a semester than it is for a short-term program, you are actually choosing the thriftier option by going abroad longer. One of the easiest ways to think about this is the airfare- it will cost you the same to fly abroad whether you stay for 2 weeks or 4 months. See the example below, which features a cost comparison for sample programs with mid-range prices:

The program you select plays the biggest role in determining how much funding you will need to make your study abroad plans a reality. Here are some important aspects of a study abroad to compare and contrast financially:

• Tuition & Fees
• Housing & Utilities
• Groceries
• Local Transportation & International Flight
• Paperwork- Application Fees, Passport, Visa, Admin Fees, etc.
• Health & Emergency Insurance
• Phone, Care Products, Daily Needs
• Spending Money & Independent Travel

First, students must have completed the  each year to determine if they are eligible for grants or loans. 

UNO students may use Federal Student Aid for studying abroad on both UNO and other approved programs. Set up an appointment with an advisor in , located in 103 Eppley Administration Building, to discuss what financial aid is available to you.

Scholarships are another great way to offset the cost of study abroad. You can visit our pages for more in-depth information on Scholarships and Scholarship Tips, but here is a basic overview.

• UNO tuition scholarships can apply to Exchange and Global Course programs.
• External scholarships you've recieved from businesses, religious organizations, memorial scholarships, etc. can be applied to study abroad if the awarding organization approves it.
• UNO Education Abroad offers their own study abroad scholarships from private donors.
• There are external, nationwide study abroad scholarships available.
• Affiliate Providers provide their own scholarships for students choosing their programs.
• Some countries have their own sponsored scholarships for students choosing them as their study destination.

Fundraising can be a great way to fund your study abroad experience. Consider creating a 'Fund My Travel' donation page at . Here are some tips for fundraising:

• Highlight your academics and the positive investment your donors are making in your life. Donors want to know what you will learn, how it will help you meet your future career goals, and what unique learning opportunities you will have outside the classroom. 
• Consider asking for funds to help with a certain aspect of your study abroad experience. For example, your airfare, your books and supplies, or so that you can participate in that educational side trip to another city that costs extra money. Whatever it may be, having something tangible to give towards can inspire some donors.
• Send out your donation page far and wide! Have your family share it at work, share it with your religious community, post it on your socials. You never know who will want to help you make it happen.
• Offer your donors something exclusive. This could be a monthly blog update or video, or a small gift from the host country on your return, or something else. Get creative!
• Have a holiday or birthday coming up? Ask for financial gifts for your study abroad instead of presents. Or, ask for physical items you need for your travels like luggage or a passport.

Savings can also play a big role in your study abroad financial plan. Try to remember that every dollar you save is a dollar you can spend in your host country instead. This applies to everything from coffee to new clothes- if you can put the money aside you can purchase that new item or try that new food abroad instead of here at home. Some students will get a temporary job or work extra hours leading up to their study abroad experience, to set aside as much money as they can. Keep in mind that you will not be legally able to work in most host countries during your study abroad, so you need to put in the extra effort before going abroad to work and/or set aside what money you can spare. Those exchanging in the United States through NSE can work as they would in 51ÉçÇø during their exchange.

You don't need a large budget to enjoy your time abroad. Consider these tips that can help you keep costs down, while still making the most of your experience.

• Learn to cook. In many places, it is cheaper to cook for yourself than to go out to eat. Research some basic recipes in your host destination, and do your best to cook some meals for yourself. Local staples are often the least expensive choices at the grocery store. Plus, you can impress family and friends by cooking a new dish for them when you return.
• Can't cook? Still go grocery shopping. A box of cereal and milk or a loaf of bread and jar of jam for toast are cheaper than breakfast from a local cafe every morning. Make going out to eat a special experience and not a daily activity, and buy easy to assemble food for your regular meals.
• Take turns hosting meals with your roommates, clubs, or friends. If you get a rotation going for cooking meals to share, thats an opportunity to try lots of food and stay on a budget. Plus you will get a chance to showcase your home cuisine with the group!
• Walk, use public transportation, or rent a bike. Taking taxis and ubers will add up fast, and in many destinations is completely unecessary.
• Research student discounts. Many countries, cities, and businesses offer student discounts on everything from a local transportation pass to entrance tickets to subsidized meals at restaurants. Don't pay more than you need to.
• Stay local. It's easy to want to spend every weekend visiting a neighboring town or country, but spend some time really getting to know your host city and region. You'll gain a deeper understanding of your local community, discover hidden treasures, and save money. Plan the big trips and go farther afield during school breaks.
• Go thrifting. Thrifting, or shopping at second-hand stores, is not just a U.S. practice. Many countries have thrift shops, flea markets, and other venues to purchase used goods instead of brand new. Find unique items unavailable in over-priced tourist traps! This can also be a great way to outfit your dorm or apartment with anything you might need: a frying pan, dishes, another towel, etc. 

The Education Abroad Admin Cost is what allows the Education Abroad Office to continue providing support to students before, during, and after their study abroad programs. It will appear on your MavLINK account prior to your program’s start date. Don't forget to include this cost into your financial planning for study abroad.

To see a table of the Admin Cost by program type, visit this link.

The financial impact of withdrawing from a study abroad program depends on which program you were accepted for, and at what point during the pre-departure timeline you withdraw.

Global Courses: Global Courses all have a 'Terms of Commitment' form that outlines your financial obligations and timeline for potential refunds. You will recieve this form when accepted to your program.

Affiliate Providers, ISEP, NSE, and UNO Direct: The timeline for when money is due, is refundable or nonrefundable, deposits, and final payment are determined by your study abroad provider, exchange network, and/or your host institution. Please verify with them at what point you can withdraw without penalty. Note that application fees charged by such programs are generally nonrefundable.

UNO Exchange and MAUI-Utrecht Exchange: Because of various academic calendars worldwide and unique payment timelines of partner universities, it is best to discuss this directly with the Global Learning Advisor and your host institituion for clarity. As a general rule, the closer you get to departure the more likely it is that you will not be able to recoup all funds. 

All Programs: The Education Abroad Admin Cost is applied at semester billing for Global Courses, and is applied following Pre-Departure Orientation for other program types. Once this cost is applied, it will not be removed. Please visit the Admin Cost page for further details.