Study Abroad Costs and Payments

Studying abroad can be one of the best experiences you will ever have and is an investment in your future. The rewards will last a lifetime, but it does require planning, perseverance, and commitment.

Study abroad is not a decision to be made last minute — it is never too early to start planning. By researching and planning as far in advance as possible, you ensure you will be as prepared as possible for your experience, including having no cost surprises and accessing funding opportunities. For example, most study abroad scholarships require that you apply as early as a year in advance of your departure date. A payment is due within 45 days after you're accepted into your study abroad program.

Costs to Consider

The total cost and individual expenses you will pay depend on your study abroad program and destination. Carefully review your program's webpage and make sure you understand all cost details, including what is and isn't included in the program fee and which additional costs you might encounter abroad.

  • All Students
    • $100 application fee, due when you submit your application
    • Payment deadlines will be communicated by the Center for Global Engagement and may vary by program

  • Miscellaneous Expenses (Vary by Program, Destination, and Student)

    Items covered by your program costs include:

    • Airfare
    • On-ground transportation in your host country
    • Housing
    • Some meals
    • Student travel insurance
    • In-country excursions on the program itinerary

    Items not covered in your program costs include:

    • Tuition for the course(s) associated with the program (as part of your total credit hours for the term)
    • Passport
    • Visa (if required)
    • Exchange rates and cost of living in the your host country
    • Vaccinations
    • Personal expenses

Making Payments

Payment schedules may vary for each program and are subject to change. Specific payment schedules and instructions for how to make payments for each program will be posted in the Center for Global Engagement's Brightspace Discover site for accepted program participants.

Central Piedmont Study Abroad Scholarships

To be eligible for scholarships from the Center for Global Engagement, you must be a Central Piedmont students. Once you are accepted into a study abroad program, the Center for Global Engagement will send a scholarship application packet if applicable and available. There are opportunities for other external scholarships. To learn more about these, contact the Center for Global Engagement at global.learning@cpcc.edu .

External Study Abroad Scholarship Opportunities

Central Piedmont does not manage nor award the following scholarships, but the Center for Global Engagement will support your application to any of the following scholarships for which you are eligible. There are many external scholarships available, to help make studying abroad accessible. Some of these scholarships require significant time and effort to submit the application. The Center for Global Engagement is happy to direct you to resources to assist with this process. Planning ahead and taking advantage of these resources has the potential to help you fund your study abroad experience.

Other Financial Resources

  • Financial Aid and Veterans Affairs Education Benefits

    If you currently receive financial aid and will receive college credit for your Central Piedmont study abroad program, you may be eligible to use your financial aid or Veterans Affairs towards your study abroad program costs. To use financial aid towards your study abroad, apply for financial aid as usual. You cannot use your financial aid for travel and lodging expenses, additional course fees abroad, etc.

    Contact the Financial Aid and/or Veterans' Affairs office for more information on how you can use financial aid towards study abroad or about private/alternative loan options.

  • Other Tips
    • Get creative. Think of ways that you can actively fundraise, seek assistance, or save to meet your goal.
    • Set priorities. Try to save and set aside funds specifically for study abroad. Maybe this means working longer hours or getting a part-time job or postponing the purchase of that big ticket item you were considering to use those funds for your study abroad program instead.
    • Don’t be afraid to ask. Family and friends may be very willing to contribute to your study abroad fund. For upcoming birthdays and holidays, think about asking for experiences instead of things.

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