Financial Planning
The process for paying for a study abroad program varies depending on the type of program (Davidson-administered or partner program) and the term during which a student is abroad. Answers to common questions are listed below, but students with additional questions should contact the Office of Education Abroad & Away at edabroad@davidson.edu and the Financial Aid Office.
Semester & Academic Year Programs
Davidson College follows a home school tuition policy for fall, spring, and academic year study abroad. There are slight differences depending on the program type; click the button to read about your preferred program.
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The student will pay a $500 non-refundable deposit to the College to hold their spot on the program and indicate their commitment to the program.
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Students will pay regular Davidson tuition to the College (minus the $500 deposit) according to normal semester timelines, including housing and meals.
| Payment Deadlines | |
|---|---|
| Program Deposit Due | March 15 |
| Program Final Payment Due | April 15 |
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Students will pay regular Davidson tuition to the College according to normal semester timelines, minus housing and meals.
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The College will pay the study abroad program tuition and academic fees directly to the partner organization on the student's behalf.
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The student will pay all non-academic fees, including the program deposit and housing, directly to the partner organization (in most cases, the deposit is applied towards housing fees).
Summer & Winter Break Programs
The payment process for non-semester programs varies depending on the program type.
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Upon acceptance to the program in late February/early March, the student will pay a $1,500 program deposit to hold their spot and indicate commitment to the program.
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The student will pay the remaining program fee by the final payment deadline.
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If the student receives certain Davidson grants or scholarships (e.g. Dean Rusk grants) towards the program fee, Business Services will first apply the grant funds to the program fee. The student will then pay the remainder. In the event that the grant funding exceeds the program fee, the remaining funds will be refunded to the student to use towards any out-of-pocket expenses.
| Payment Deadlines | |
|---|---|
| Program Deposit Due | March 15 |
| Program Final Payment Due | April 15 |
There are no fees paid to or by Davidson for students on partner programs during the summer or winter break.
Financial Aid
Students studying abroad may continue to apply merit scholarships or need-based financial aid towards approved academic year and semester programs (both Davidson and partner programs). Aid is calculated based on the full cost of attendance in the study abroad program and therefore may differ from the amount of aid for a semester on campus.
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If the cost of attendance for a program is less than the cost of a semester at Davidson, a student’s financial aid package will be reduced.
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If the program cost is greater than a semester at Davidson, a student’s aid will NOT be increased to cover the additional amount, and students will be responsible for covering the overage.
Additional Information
For more specific information about financial aid for education abroad or away, visit the Davidson College Financial Aid website.
Withdrawal, Cancelation, & Refund Policy
If it becomes necessary that a student withdraw from their study abroad program, the following policies will apply.
If withdrawal occurs between the time of deposit and the beginning of the Davidson College study abroad or domestic off-campus study program, the amount of deposit will be retained by the College, as well as any funds already committed on behalf of the student. Committed funds are 1) monies that the program has already paid to a service provider, and/or 2) monies that the program has agreed to pay to a service provider on terms that cannot be modified or recovered.
If withdrawal occurs on or after the beginning date of a semester or a summer program, for any reason, no refund of the semester or summer program cost is issued.
If withdrawal occurs on or after the beginning date of the first semester of an academic year program, for any reason, no refund of the first semester cost is issued. If withdrawal occurs on or after the beginning date of the second semester of an academic year program, no refund of the full academic year cost is issued.
If a student receiving federal aid withdraws from a Davidson College off-campus study program, the federal aid funds will be treated according to applicable federal regulations. Detailed rules and laws related to these calculations are available upon request from the Office of Admission and Financial Aid.
If Davidson College cancels one of its study abroad or domestic off-campus study programs before a program starts, a full refund of the program fee will be issued.
If Davidson College or one of its study abroad or domestic off-campus study program partners must suspend a program in progress, yet coursework may be completed, no refund will be issued for tuition. A partial refund may be issued for non-academic program costs in the event of an early program closure, depending on recoverable expenses. If coursework may not be continued as a result of a program cancelation, a refund of program cost will be issued.
The College offers tuition-refund insurance (scroll down to Insurance section) during the academic year for Davidson College study abroad programs through AWG Dewar, Inc. Detailed information may be obtained by calling 617-774-1555 or online at AWG Dewar, Inc.
Students studying abroad with a partner program should contact their program to verify its withdrawal and refund policy. Please note that withdrawing from a partner program study program after submitting the Official Off-Campus Study Notification (March 15 for fall and academic year, November 1 for spring) could result in an administrative fee based on costs that Davidson has already paid to the program on the student's behalf. If interested, students are eligible to purchase tuition-refund insurance for the tuition portion of their study abroad program. Details are available at the AWG Dewar link above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Click the buttons in this section for responses to common questions about financial aid.
Students with questions about scholarships are encouraged to make an appointment with an OEAA advisor.
Things to Consider for Scholarships/Grants
- There are many scholarships out there, each with different application requirements and deadlines. It is up to each student to start researching early to determine which opportunities they are eligible for.
- Check application requirements and deadlines carefully. Many scholarships open earlier than the actual study abroad programs, so you may need to apply for funding before you are formally accepted to your program. Plan ahead!
- Remember that scholarships and grants are never guaranteed. It's important that students begin planning their budgets early and making realistic plans in case the scholarships don't work out.
- Cast a wide net. In addition to the opportunities on our website, OEAA encourages students to think creatively about funding sources and to do their own research. There may be other resources out there through professional organizations, nonprofits, businesses, religious organizations, etc. that could potentially be applied to education abroad.
- Take advantage of your support systems. OEAA staff are happy to work with students to help them brainstorm ideas or proofread materials. Students receiving the Pell Grant should attend a Gilman Scholarship Workshop for tips on preparing competitive applications. Make use of the Writing Center and other resources on campus.