Financial Information

Financing Study Abroad

Spending time in another country involves commitment - emotionally, academically, and financially. The return on your initial investment, however, is well worth the planning. It is often less expensive for students and their families to consider a semester or academic year abroad rather than a summer program. When undergraduates spend a semester at an exchange university or affiliate institution, they usually are able to access the financial resources they would be using if they spent that semester on campus at Rice. Most of Rice's exchange and affiliate programs cost about the same as (or less than) study at Rice. However, most students who receive need- and merit-based aid are already receiving the full available amount during the academic year; this means that summer study must be funded out-of-pocket, or through loans. A number of scholarships are available for summer study, but the application process for those scholarships tends to be competitive.

Payment and Billing

All study abroad participants are charged a standard Rice study abroad fee (currently $250) per semester abroad.

Rice Exchange Program (see Programs for explanation): you will also be charged Rice tuition (paid to Rice) along with room and board expenses (paid to the host institution).
Participants in all other Affiliate Programs(the majority of participants): you will be responsible for paying the program cost (not Rice tuition) directly to the program or host institution.

Need-Based Financial Aid

If you qualify for financial aid (federal aid, grants, loans, scholarships, etc.) through Rice, you can transfer that aid to an approved study abroad program. If you are currently receiving aid, you should apply for renewal of financial aid just as you would if you were staying on campus. International Programs will provide the Office of Student Financial Services with a standardized budget for your particular study abroad program. This budget will serve as the basis for determining your financial need for the term abroad, and all funds awarded will be applied to the study abroad program. If the expense budget is lower than expenses at Rice, the financial aid award may be reduced accordingly. If the study abroad expense budget is higher than expenses at Rice, you may request additional funds, in the form of loans, to cover the excess expense.

Merit Scholarships

Rice-awarded merit scholarships apply to all approved study abroad programs. No special action by the student is required. Non-Rice scholarships may apply to off-campus study. It is your responsibility to contact the donor for approval.

Scholarships Through the Office of International Programs

Some additional merit- and need-based scholarships are available. The following scholarships are available through the Office of International Programs:

Rebecca Elnékavé Cassel Scholarship

This scholarship provides funds for study in France or another French-speaking country to enhance their ability to function in French in their chosen field of study (all majors may apply).

Houston Junior Chamber of Commerce

Undergraduates participating in Rice-approved programs are eligible to apply.

Peregrine Award

This award provides support for students to travel abroad and experience another culture. Applications are currently open to undergraduate participants in Rice-approved international programs (study or work), with preference being given to students who graduated from the Sherman Independent School District of Texas or from a high school in Grayson County, Texas. Grayson County includes the cities of Bell, Denison, Gunter, Pottsboro, Sherman, Tioga, Tom Bean, and Whitesboro.

Stephen B. Smith Award

Undergraduates participating in Rice-approved programs are eligible to apply.

Joseph R. and Jean M. Steele Scholarship

This award provides up to $1,000 for program-related or other associated expenses. Undergraduates participating in Rice-approved programs are eligible to apply.

Elizabeth D. Williams Scholarship

This award provides up to $1,000 for program-related or other associated expenses. Undergraduates participating in Rice-approved programs are eligible to apply.

Earl Elliot Humanities Scholarship

This scholarship provides merit-based assistance to Humanities students studying abroad.

James and Jane Rhodes Travel Abroad Scholarship

This scholarship provides support to Humanities students studying or traveling abroad. The award provides up to $1,000 for program-related or travel expenses.

Maxine Wood Hagemann Scholarship - available only for fall or academic year applicants!

This scholarship provides support to Humanities students studying foreign languages abroad. Preference is given to students from the San Antonio area when possible.

Athletic Scholarships

Scholar Athletes must consult closely with the the Executive Assistant in Athletics, so you are aware of what study abroad costs your scholarship can and cannot cover, as well as the particulars of scholarship disbursement (procedure outlined below does not necessarily apply).

Work-Study Awards

Because Federal Work Study placements aren't available for study abroad, FWSP awards will be replaced by loans.

Disbursement of Financial Aid

All Rice financial aid is disbursed through the Rice Cashier's office. The Cashier's office will only disburse funds after International Programs grants approval to participate in a study abroad program for credit. (For conditions of approval, see Checklist and Deadlines ). These funds will be sent to your address of record (generally your permanent address) on file with the Registrar. If you wish to have the money sent elsewhere (your address abroad, your local address, etc.), you are responsible for registering the appropriate change of address with the Registrar's Office. You are then responsible for paying the program fees.

Please note: Financial aid cannot be disbursed until two weeks prior to the start of Rice's semester. Rice's affiliate programs are generally willing to work with you if their payment deadlines fall before the disbursement date, but you must inform them that you are receiving aid. Your study abroad advisor can assist you in this process, if necessary.

Summer Study

In most cases, if you have previously received financial aid at Rice, you can apply for loans to fund summer study abroad experiences.

Additional Study Abroad Scholarships

Additional scholarships are awarded by the Office of International Scholarships and Fellowships