Study Abroad Finances & Scholarships

Study Abroad Cost, Financial Aid, Out-of-Pocket Expenses, and Scholarships

The CMC Invoice and Financial Aid award amounts remain nearly the same whether students choose to study on-campus or abroad, ensuring that all students have equal access to study abroad no matter the location, cost of living, or exchange rate.

Because of this, CMC is proud that our students can select their study abroad program based upon individual academic needs and majors of study, personal needs and ambitions, and foreign language skills and goals rather than focusing on affordability. The itemized CMC invoice includes Tuition and the Study Abroad Program Fee. Existing payment plan options remain available for the semester abroad.

Tuition

Students register for and CMC pays for a full-semester course load equivalent to four (4) CMC credits while abroad. All pre-approved study abroad courses are taken for credit and count towards graduation requirements, be they electives toward graduation, general education (GE), and/or major credit.

Study Abroad Program Fee

The Study Abroad Program Fee, equal to combined CMC semester cost of room and board), covers study abroad program expenses including:

• housing and meals while on the program,
• a round-trip airline ticket,
• international emergency health insurance including evacuation insurance,
• a local, public transportation allowance for commuting to and from class,
• and 24/7 academic and personal support from administrators both abroad and in Claremont.

It is also used to support the cost of providing study abroad at CMC, including individualized program advising and assistance, program management, pre-departure orientation, academic advising, and pre-arrival counseling. It also supports the overall infrastructure of the college including information technology, public relations, financial services, on-line library resources, The Writing Center, the Registrar, and the Dean of Students; resources that are available for study abroad students before, during, and after their time abroad. These services are sometimes received in a different format, i.e. email, phone, ZOOM, text, etc., but they remain available to the students while abroad. Students are very surprised at the extensive CMC services they receive while abroad compared to other institutions.

Financial Aid and Study Abroad

Students on financial aid continue to receive all financial aid while abroad, including state and federal aid, as well as private and merit scholarships. Work-study funds may be converted to a low-interest student loan or earned the alternate semester while on campus i.e. prior to spring abroad or after return from fall abroad. Students with CMC grants-in-aid will also continue to receive their grants.

CMC 2024-2025 Study Abroad Semester Invoice

Students pay CMC and CMC then pays the Study Abroad Program invoice, which may include:

• a non-refundable program commitment deposit
• the program tuition and fees
• on-site housing and on-site meals
• additional international health insurance

AND/OR

CMC provides an allowance in the form of a check or electronic funds payable to the student prior to departure for the following:

• an airfare allowance calculated from the home address to the program and return based upon the program dates
• a meal allowance for students participating in programs which do not invoice CMC for meals
• a housing allowance for students participating in programs which do not invoice CMC for housing
• an allowance for public transportation to commute to and from classes as determined by the program provider

Students studying through the Center for Global Education should expect to personally pay for the following prior to departure:

• passport (passports are currently taking 3-5 months to receive)
• visa or residence permit fees including possible background check(s), fingerprints, or biometrics as applicable (financial assistance may be available for visa or residence fees)
• cost of medical examinations, vaccination, and immunizations
• refundable security/damage/housing deposits

On site, students should expect to pay for personal expenses which may include but is not limited to:

• residence permit and expenses (financial assistance may be available for visa or residence fees)
• internet or wifi
• books and supplies, printing
• clothing or laundry expenses
• medical charges (deductibles or up-front/reimbursable costs)
• recreation/entertainment
• cell phone purchase/phone bills
• eating out or snacks
• private transportation (Uber, taxi)
• weekend or holiday travel

These expenses may vary considerably from site to site, and are likely to be higher than in Claremont. An estimation of student’s personal expenses is frequently available on the program sponsor’s website.

Authorization for CMC to Pay Study Abroad and Exchange Expenses

Upon digitally signing the CGE Study Abroad and Exchange Commitment and Contract, the student authorizes CGE to pay all expenses to the program sponsor or host institution including but not limited to the non-refundable commit/acceptance deposit on their behalf, the program fee, tuition, lab or other academic fees, housing, board, and airline tickets as applicable.

Withdrawal from Study Abroad

Students who consequently decide to withdraw from the study abroad program after confirming participation with the program provider, or whose approval to study abroad or on exchange is revoked per CMC-CGE policies are liable for all unrecoverable expenses incurred by the College on the student’s behalf. Additionally, CMC will require repayment of any funds paid out to the student including but not limited to stipends for airfares, housing, meals, and public transportation and CGE disbursed Travel Awards and Visa Cost Reimbursements. These expenses will be charged to the student account in addition to the on-campus semester’s expenses as applicable.

CGE and National Scholarships

The Center for Global Education has generous scholarship funds available for students receiving need-based financial aid to offset personal expenses.

Richard and Mary Butler Award​

• Funding: varies between $500 to $2,500 for one semester
• Eligibility: CMC student in good academic and judicial standing with demonstrated need (already receiving financial aid); with very limited or no previous international experience including living or traveling abroad
• Deadline: semester prior to study abroad

Wagener Family Awards for Sophomore Study Abroad

• Funding: $2,500
• Eligibility: CMC students approved to study abroad second-semester of sophomore year in a non-English speaking country; eligible for need-based financial aid; cumulative 9.0 CMC GPA
• Deadline: early November for the following spring study abroad

Visa & Residence Permit Award

• This award provides CMC students participating on study abroad reimbursement for the cost of a student visa or residence permit. Recipients must participate on an approved program and receive CMC need-based financial aid.

Additional scholarships may be available through the study abroad program sponsor or from national organizations. Individual program providers have a range of merit and need-based scholarships. Please visit your program provider's website to learn more. Confer with the Financial Aid Office to discuss how outside scholarships may impact your CMC financial aid.

National Awards may be available with pre-planning including the Gilman and the Boren Awards. Students are encouraged to contact the Director of Fellowships and National Awards, Brian Davidson, for information on each of these prestigious scholarships and awards.