Study Abroad
Costs
All Haverford students who study abroad for academic credit on approved programs of study are charged Haverford tuition while studying abroad. Students pay Haverford tuition for Haverford credit.
This cost structure enables study abroad to be integrated into students' four-year academic plans of study and ensures equal access to all students regardless of socioeconomic background. This system encourages students to choose programs based on their academic needs rather than their financial needs, and reflects the belief that all students, including those receiving financial aid, should have the opportunity to study abroad. Students can apply their financial aid awards, including full grant aid, toward their program abroad.
Students will note that certain programs "cost less" than Haverford, and may wonder where the "extra money" goes when they are billed for Haverford tuition. Part of the cost of all approved study abroad is the academic and administrative support that assists students in making choices, applying to programs, getting credits approved, managing issues and problems abroad, liaising with program providers and overseeing the quality of the programs to which we send our students. Some programs, mostly due to location, cost more than others, much as some majors on campus cost more than others to deliver. As we do not ask students to choose majors based on cost, we extend the same philosophy to the choice of studying abroad. The Haverford-tuition model allows us to achieve these goals of equity and maximum student choice.
Benefits of this plan:
- Students studying on approved programs abroad have access to the resources of the college while they are abroad.
- Courses taken while abroad on approved programs count toward major, minor, and/or concentration requirements whether they are majoring at Haverford or Bryn Mawr College. Students can also fulfill all distribution requirements and the language requirement abroad. Provided students receive a grade of C or above, all credits are recorded on the Haverford transcript.
- Study Abroad approves all elective credits for the students so they know in advance whether the courses are acceptable for transfer credit.
- Study Abroad can directly admit students to many of Haverford's affiliated programs so students need only apply to one program.
- All programs on the list are approved by the Educational Policy Committee of the College and monitored by Study Abroad.
- Our approved programs are reviewed on-site by members of the faculty. Faculty reports are kept on file in the office. Programs are added and deleted based on these faculty recommendations as well as the student program evaluations.
Note: Review the Study Abroad FAQ on the Financial Aid website for answers to common questions surrounding using your financial aid while studying abroad.
Financial Aid: Study Abroad FAQ
Haverford Costs
Students pay Haverford tuition and associated fees directly to Haverford College, which is then responsible for submitting payments to programs. In most cases, students must make their own travel arrangements. A program may include the cost of airfare in its comprehensive tuition fee and may require students to travel with the group. Students will be responsible for other costs, such as local transportation, books, entertainment, vacations, and expenses due to personal travel or changes in plans.
The EPC expects all students on financial aid to apply for scholarships. Students not on aid are encouraged to apply for merit and other scholarships to help defray costs.
The Program Descriptions provide information on the fee structure of the approved programs and whether students pay tuition only, tuition and room, or tuition, room, and board to Haverford. Students will receive a detailed "Estimate of Cost" document for their program at the Mandatory Pre-Departure Orientation Session. More specific program cost estimates are also available in the Program Black Binders in the Study Abroad office.
Because the amount of grant a student receives is based on their overall cost of study, Haverford Grants cannot be targeted toward specific expenses. Grant funds cannot be applied toward personal expenses, travel, entertainment, insurance, visas, or passports. Students will not be funded for study on two separate programs.
Billing/Payment Due Dates
Bills for the following semester’s tuition, room, board, Student Association fee, and Deposit are rendered in July and December. Tuition and Fees must be paid in full before the beginning of the semester and preferably in advance. Students whose fees are not paid are subject to dismissal from the College. Unpaid accounts are also subject to a 1% per month late fee, cancellation of OneCard privileges and participation in the meal plan, exclusion from Room Draw, and the withholding of transcripts. If there are any outstanding charges at the end of the term, no diploma or official transcript will be issued. Transcripts may be withheld at any time for non-payment.
Included in Tuition Fees
All advising, pre-departure and re-entry orientation, and administrative support, while students are abroad, is included. Students in approved programs will also receive support in the credit transfer process for academic coursework.
Also included:
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- academic advising and course pre-approval process
- nominations to programs
- pre-departure programming and materials
- letter to the consulate for immigration
- visa advising
- processing of federal financial aid and grant funds
- financial aid workshops
- travel counseling by Health Services (vaccines, completion of health forms, etc.)
- pre-departure services through Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), and the availability of CAPS to consult with the study abroad program if needed
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- emergency insurance
- ADA advising if accommodations are needed abroad
- access to Haverford e-mail, Moodle, and all electronic resources and tools
- access to Haverford library’s holdings, staff, and research capabilities, including communication with the host program regarding logistical issues and student life matters
- access to Haverford online course registration for the semester following the student’s time off-campus
- access to housing placement for the semester following the student’s time off-campus
- re-entry programming and materials
- career counseling workshop for resume building and international job search
Program-Specific Fees
Room
For most programs, housing is guaranteed and pre-arranged provided the students complete the required forms by the deadline. Housing options can include traditional dorms or residence halls, international student halls, off-campus apartments with a mix of other study abroad and local students, or homestays with a family from the host culture. Check your Program's website for detailed housing information.
All cost estimates for room and board are based on the cost of a homestay if that option is available. Students who are on financial aid will only be covered for homestays. The Faculty Advisory Board strongly encourages students to live with a host family whenever possible and the Student Study Abroad Advisory Board agrees that living with a family provides the best opportunity to experience full cultural immersion. Haverford students may not opt for independent off-campus housing that is not arranged by the program or in apartments with only other American students.
For some programs, students will be responsible for payment of the room and board fees directly to the partner institution. Room and board costs will vary by dorm. Choose carefully—your financial aid will only cover a standard room, not the cost of the expensive dorm options. Students not on financial aid should consult with their guardians to discuss a budget for room and board. In many locations, the housing cost may be higher than Haverford's fees.
Board
The programs available to Haverford students vary. Some programs require students to be on a full or partial meal plan, while at others students are expected to provide their own food. All program-specific information about board is available on the Programs page.
Deposits & Fees
- Some programs require that students pay a deposit to hold their place. This deposit will later be deducted from your Haverford tuition costs. If you decide not to study abroad you will lose your deposit.
- A security deposit may be required for housing. Students are responsible for the payment of this deposit. This deposit will not be deducted from tuition or housing fees; it is returned directly to students, minus damages to the room.
- If there is a fee for the program application, students are responsible for this fee.
Review the Controller's Office's Q&A document (pdf) for information regarding tuition and financial aid.
Student Costs
Students are responsible for costs such as local travel, entertainment, vacations, and personal expenses. Read the program evaluations and talk to former participants to determine how much you may need for your particular destination. Many websites provide cost of living comparisons and currency exchange rates. While much depends on personal spending habits, cities such as London, Paris, Tokyo, Stockholm, and Milan are among the most expensive cities in the world.
Airfare
With few exceptions, students will be responsible for making their own travel arrangements and for payment of all travel costs. For the limited programs in which the cost of airfare is included in the program fees, students will be expected to travel with the group. See Programs for more information.
It is the students' responsibility to know the exact start and end date of their programs. Students should contact the program directly to confirm these dates before booking their flights. Haverford College will not be responsible for costs incurred for any changes in travel plans for any reason.
Qualified students receiving Haverford grant funds will receive an airfare credit towards their bill if their family income is less than $100,000. Credits will be based on final destinations according to the following list:
- United States: $0
- Mexico/Caribbean: $500
- Europe: $750
- Ecuador: $750
- Chile and Argentina: $1,250
- Asia, Australia, Pacific Rim, Middle East: $1,250
- Africa: $1,500
- Cuba and Israel: Determined by IFSA –Butler
Withdrawal from a Program
Think carefully before you commit yourself. If you withdraw from a program after the withdrawal deadline, you are expected to notify both the sponsoring program officials and Study Abroad. Deposits paid to the program will not be refunded for any reason. There may be additional financial implications for withdrawing from a program, especially if the program has already started. It is the responsibility of the student to be familiar with the refund and withdrawal policy of their particular program.
The College, in conjunction with the Student Study Abroad Advisory Committee, has approved charging a $500 fine, as well as any unrecoverable expenses paid by the College to the program, to all students withdrawing from programs past the set Haverford deadlines.
Refund Policy
Haverford College will adhere to the refund policies of the approved programs. For housing or fees paid directly to the host institution, the refund policy of that institution will also be in effect. Students are responsible for reviewing the refund policies of their program of study. Such policies are available on the program websites.
Students who withdraw from their programs risk losing all academic credit. Students who do not complete the full year on programs such as the LSE, Oxford, and Cambridge will not receive any credit. Owing to the structure of these universities, partial credit is not an option.
Students who withdraw from programs after the deadline dates (December 1 and May 1) for any reason will be assessed a five hundred dollar fee payable to Haverford College. Students who are undecided by these dates should request an extension in writing from the Director of Study Abroad. Students attending Oxford and Cambridge are under different rules and those rules will be given to students upon acceptance.
Haverford College will not be responsible for indirect costs paid by the student to the program or incurred by the student such as visas, vaccinations, local transportation costs, etc. Students on financial aid who withdraw from their programs will be required to repay the cost of airfare to the college.
A student who is suspended, dismissed or withdraws while under investigation for misconduct, will not have tuition (and in some cases room and board) payments refunded and will be responsible for all unrecoverable fees.
Haverford College will not award diplomas or process transcripts until all study abroad fees are paid in full.