The Real Cost Behind Study Abroad

(Nina Huaracayo for The Santa Clara)

Santa Clara University continues to promote study abroad as a central part of its global mission. Yet, for students who rely on financial aid, the hefty price tag can put that experience out of reach.

Global Learning, within the university’s Global Engagement office, oversees an array of study abroad programs, internships and immersion trips. The university describes these programs as opportunities for all students to further develop their intercultural skills, gain independence and prepare for careers in a global workforce.

Each year, about 31 percent of undergraduates take part in a Global Learning program.

While interest in study abroad remains high, a gap in access persists for students who rely on financial aid, making study abroad feel less attainable.

Over a third of the student body at Santa Clara receives some form of financial aid. For many of those students, the decision to study abroad is shaped less by academic interest and more by whether they can afford the additional costs of leaving campus.

For fall or spring semester programs, students approved through Global Learning pay Santa Clara tuition plus a program fee. For the 2025–26 academic year, the total is just over $29,000 for one semester. 

Even when financial aid carries over, studying abroad brings on new expenses that are not fully covered. As a result, students often face financial stress as they pay for airfare, transportation, food costs, textbooks, and course fees charged by host universities. These added costs matter.  For many students, studying abroad means taking on additional financial risk rather than continuing their education at the same cost.

Global Learning does promote external scholarships and provides financial aid workshops to reduce that burden. In the past year, Global Learning awarded 95 scholarships to students studying abroad. Awards range from a few hundred dollars to larger amounts that can help cover travel or living expenses.

“Cost should not be a factor prohibiting students from participating in some type of Global Learning program abroad, and that is the message that we want to get to students,” said Susan Popko, the vice provost of global engagement.

Still, scholarships are competitive and not guaranteed. Many require students to submit applications six to eight months before departure,and sometimes funding decisions come after program withdrawal deadlines. 

Shelsy Perez ‘27 said she “initially hoped to study abroad but ultimately decided against it after repeated requests from the University for additional financial support for tuition were denied.”

The university notes that it is unable to offer additional grant or scholarship funding beyond what is already available for study abroad programs. This leaves students bearing responsibility for the costs alone if outside support does not come through.

Given these uncertainties, students are advised to create backup funding plans. These often include taking out loans, working extra hours before departure, or seeking crowdfunding through friends and family. While these options may work for some, they depend on financial safety nets that not all students have access to.

Summer study abroad programs present even greater barriers. Tuition and fees are usually paid directly to outside program providers, and financial aid generally does not apply. Although the university offers some scholarships for summer programs, students who rely on financial aid during the academic year say these programs are often not only out of reach, but also out of pocket.

“Because students already pay Santa Clara tuition, at least one global learning option should be within financial reach” said Popko. That assumption, however, raises questions about how affordability is defined within the University.

Study abroad is often described as a defining, even life-changing, part of a Santa Clara education. As the university expands its global engagement, the question is whether those opportunities are truly within reach for all students.Santa Clara University continues to promote study abroad as a central part of its global mission. Yet, for students who rely on financial aid, the hefty price tag can put that experience out of reach.

Global Learning, within the university’s Global Engagement office, oversees an array of study abroad programs, internships and immersion trips. The university describes these programs as opportunities for all students to further develop their intercultural skills, gain independence and prepare for careers in a global workforce.

Each year, about 31 percent of undergraduates take part in a Global Learning program.

While interest in study abroad remains high, a gap in access persists for students who rely on financial aid, making study abroad feel less attainable.

Over a third of the student body at Santa Clara receives some form of financial aid. For many of those students, the decision to study abroad is shaped less by academic interest and more by whether they can afford the additional costs of leaving campus.

For fall or spring semester programs, students approved through Global Learning pay Santa Clara tuition plus a program fee. For the 2025–26 academic year, the total is just over $29,000 for one semester. 

Even when financial aid carries over, studying abroad brings on new expenses that are not fully covered. As a result, students often face financial stress as they pay for airfare, transportation, food costs, textbooks, and course fees charged by host universities. These added costs matter.  For many students, studying abroad means taking on additional financial risk rather than continuing their education at the same cost.

Global Learning does promote external scholarships and provides financial aid workshops to reduce that burden. In the past year, Global Learning awarded 95 scholarships to students studying abroad. Awards range from a few hundred dollars to larger amounts that can help cover travel or living expenses.

“Cost should not be a factor prohibiting students from participating in some type of Global Learning program abroad, and that is the message that we want to get to students,” said Susan Popko, the vice provost of global engagement.

Still, scholarships are competitive and not guaranteed. Many require students to submit applications six to eight months before departure,and sometimes funding decisions come after program withdrawal deadlines. 

Shelsy Perez ‘27 said she “initially hoped to study abroad but ultimately decided against it after repeated requests from the University for additional financial support for tuition were denied.”

The university notes that it is unable to offer additional grant or scholarship funding beyond what is already available for study abroad programs. This leaves students bearing responsibility for the costs alone if outside support does not come through.

Given these uncertainties, students are advised to create backup funding plans. These often include taking out loans, working extra hours before departure, or seeking crowdfunding through friends and family. While these options may work for some, they depend on financial safety nets that not all students have access to.

Summer study abroad programs present even greater barriers. Tuition and fees are usually paid directly to outside program providers, and financial aid generally does not apply. Although the university offers some scholarships for summer programs, students who rely on financial aid during the academic year say these programs are often not only out of reach, but also out of pocket.

“Because students already pay Santa Clara tuition, at least one global learning option should be within financial reach” said Popko. That assumption, however, raises questions about how affordability is defined within the University.

Study abroad is often described as a defining, even life-changing, part of a Santa Clara education. As the university expands its global engagement, the question is whether those opportunities are truly within reach for all students.Santa Clara University continues to promote study abroad as a central part of its global mission. Yet, for students who rely on financial aid, the hefty price tag can put that experience out of reach.

Global Learning, within the university’s Global Engagement office, oversees an array of study abroad programs, internships and immersion trips. The university describes these programs as opportunities for all students to further develop their intercultural skills, gain independence and prepare for careers in a global workforce.

Each year, about 31 percent of undergraduates take part in a Global Learning program.

While interest in study abroad remains high, a gap in access persists for students who rely on financial aid, making study abroad feel less attainable.

Over a third of the student body at Santa Clara receives some form of financial aid. For many of those students, the decision to study abroad is shaped less by academic interest and more by whether they can afford the additional costs of leaving campus.

For fall or spring semester programs, students approved through Global Learning pay Santa Clara tuition plus a program fee. For the 2025–26 academic year, the total is just over $29,000 for one semester. 

Even when financial aid carries over, studying abroad brings on new expenses that are not fully covered. As a result, students often face financial stress as they pay for airfare, transportation, food costs, textbooks, and course fees charged by host universities. These added costs matter.  For many students, studying abroad means taking on additional financial risk rather than continuing their education at the same cost.

Global Learning does promote external scholarships and provides financial aid workshops to reduce that burden. In the past year, Global Learning awarded 95 scholarships to students studying abroad. Awards range from a few hundred dollars to larger amounts that can help cover travel or living expenses.

“Cost should not be a factor prohibiting students from participating in some type of Global Learning program abroad, and that is the message that we want to get to students,” said Susan Popko, the vice provost of global engagement.

Still, scholarships are competitive and not guaranteed. Many require students to submit applications six to eight months before departure,and sometimes funding decisions come after program withdrawal deadlines. 

Shelsy Perez ‘27 said she “initially hoped to study abroad but ultimately decided against it after repeated requests from the University for additional financial support for tuition were denied.”

The university notes that it is unable to offer additional grant or scholarship funding beyond what is already available for study abroad programs. This leaves students bearing responsibility for the costs alone if outside support does not come through.

Given these uncertainties, students are advised to create backup funding plans. These often include taking out loans, working extra hours before departure, or seeking crowdfunding through friends and family. While these options may work for some, they depend on financial safety nets that not all students have access to.

Summer study abroad programs present even greater barriers. Tuition and fees are usually paid directly to outside program providers, and financial aid generally does not apply. Although the university offers some scholarships for summer programs, students who rely on financial aid during the academic year say these programs are often not only out of reach, but also out of pocket.

“Because students already pay Santa Clara tuition, at least one global learning option should be within financial reach” said Popko. That assumption, however, raises questions about how affordability is defined within the University.

Study abroad is often described as a defining, even life-changing, part of a Santa Clara education. As the university expands its global engagement, the question is whether those opportunities are truly within reach for all students.