Study Abroad Costs and Fees
Congratulations! Your student has expressed interest in studying abroad—a wonderful opportunity for growth and learning.
One of the most common questions we receive from parents is: “What will this cost?” While the answer can be complex, we want to help by clarifying program pricing, billing procedures, and who to contact with any concerns.
As your student moves through the application process, they have received a copy of the billing sheet prepared specifically for you. Please ask them to share it with you.
What is a Program Provider?
A program provider is a company that Bryant partners with to manage the logistics of your student’s study abroad experience. They assist with applications, visas, housing, courses, and more.
Each provider also has on-site staff in the host country who can help students with any issues they may encounter. We strongly recommend that your student reach out to these staff members first if they need assistance—they are the fastest and most effective resource for immediate support.
Our Program Providers:
We encourage you to visit their websites for more information.
Additional Benefit:
All program providers include health insurance as part of their programs.
Contesting Charges
If you feel that your student has been charged in error (e.g. housing damages, withdraw fees, etc.), then we strongly recommend having your student contact the program provider. The program providers are the ones who assess charges, and they then send the bill and smaller refunds back to the student.
Bryant does not charge anything above what the program provider has charged.
Additional Costs to Consider
The Study Abroad Office often receives the question: “How much will my student need while abroad?” Unfortunately, there’s no single answer—every student’s spending habits and travel plans are different.
Below is a list of common expenses to keep in mind (this is not comprehensive):
- Round-trip airfare
- Visa (if required)
- Cell phone or SIM card
- Public transportation
- Meals and social activities
- Shopping and personal items
- Additional travel or excursions
To give you an idea of the range: some students manage on a budget of about $3,000, while others spend $10,000 or more. The best approach is to review your student’s spending habits and create a realistic budget together.
Another Consideration
We’re thrilled your student is interested in studying abroad! Please keep in mind that the experience will differ from life at Bryant. For example, the bedrooms may be smaller, Wi-Fi slower (or limited), or different meal customs. Studying abroad is an exciting opportunity to embrace new cultures and adapt to different living conditions. It’s part of what makes the experience so valuable.
Tuition, Housing, and Meals
Tuition
For most Bryant-approved study abroad programs, tuition is the same as a traditional semester on campus. The only exception occurs if a student selects a program with tuition higher than Bryant’s rate. In that case, the student is responsible for paying the difference.
These situations are rare, but they can occur and may fluctuate based on the value of the U.S. dollar.
Room
Housing costs depend on the type of accommodation your student receives. Students will be billed at either the dorm or townhouse rate, based on their assigned housing.
In many locations, housing options are limited, so charges reflect what is provided. Some programs offer upgraded housing (e.g., “Comfort” options) that are not comparable to Bryant’s standard accommodations. If your student chooses or is placed in such housing, they are responsible for paying the difference between Bryant’s single townhouse rate and the host institution’s housing cost.
Meals
Students are charged for a meal plan only if meals are included in their overseas program. If no meal plan is provided, they will not be billed for one. In that case, your student should budget for groceries and preparing their own meals.
Billing and Financial Aid
Billing
Bryant students are billed for tuition just as they would for any other semester, so you should see no change in the tuition charge unless the program’s tuition is higher than Bryant’s, in which case the student is responsible for the difference.
For room and meal charges, the Bursar’s Office works proactively to post these to the student’s account. The rates depend on the housing and meal arrangements your student receives abroad. Occasionally, adjustments may appear after your student is already overseas. For example, if your student was initially billed for a dorm-style room but is placed in a townhouse-style apartment, the cost difference will be added.
These updates typically occur after the program provider confirms housing and meal details or if your student requests changes to their housing or meal plan.
Financial Aid
In most cases, a student’s financial aid package can be applied to a Bryant-approved study abroad program. However, we strongly encourage students to confirm this with their financial aid counselor to ensure their aid will transfer as expected.
GPA Requirement
All Bryant students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 to apply for study abroad. In addition, students must maintain this GPA through the end of the term.
If your student falls below the required GPA and needs to withdraw, deferral may not be possible. We encourage you to discuss this with your student before they apply.
The Study Abroad Office informs students about the consequences of dropping below the GPA requirement, so your student is aware of the risks associated with applying and not maintaining the 2.75 GPA.
Withdrawal and Cancellation
Each program provider publishes its cancellation and withdrawal policy on their website. If your student is no longer able to study abroad (for example, due to GPA requirements or financial considerations), they must contact the program provider directly to withdraw.
Bryant does not charge additional withdrawal fees. However, Bryant will bill the student based on the invoice received from the program provider, which includes any cancellation or withdrawal penalties.
If a student returns home after the program begins, refunds are generally not available, even in cases where students are required to return due to pandemics, civil unrest, or natural disasters. While providers may attempt to issue partial refunds when possible, this is not guaranteed.
Please note: Bryant University pays the program provider in full for tuition, housing, and other program costs. Therefore, Bryant cannot issue refunds. However, Bryant is committed to ensuring students receive their semester credits if they are forced to return home under these circumstances.
Direct Partnership Programs
Bryant has a growing number of direct partnerships with institutions overseas. In these programs, Bryant students attend a partner university, and in return, that institution sends a student to Bryant.
Students continue to pay tuition and the study abroad fee to Bryant, but all other costs, such as housing, meals, insurance, and similar expenses, are paid directly to the partner institution. This structure often makes direct partnerships a more affordable option.