Financial Planning
General Cost of Study abroad
The estimated cost of attending Millersville and living on campus for one semester: $14,000
These costs is based off of Millersville University's official Cost of Attendance.
The estimated average cost for a study abroad semester: $13,000 - $20,000
The estimated average cost for a study abroad summer: $4,000 - $8,000
The final costs depend on tuition and fees, length of program, location (major city or other), housing options, meals, transportation, books and supplies, and any included activities and excursions.
Cost of Attendance (1 Semester) - Based on 2022-2023 Academic Costs:
| ITEM | MILLERSVILLE | MU IN GERMANY |
| Tuition & Fees (In-state) | $6,131 (15 credits) | $6,131 (15 credits) |
| On-Campus Housing (Double Semi Suite) | $4,040 | $5,385 |
| On-Campus Meal Plan (Default) | $2,200 | $1,275 (Grocery shopping & eating out) |
| Books & Supplies | $500 (estimated) | $300 (estimated) |
| Personal Daily Living Expenses | $500 (estimated) | $500 (estimated) |
| Transportation | $310 (estimated parking and gas/month) | $1,500 flight (estimated) $952 local transportation (estimated) |
| Immigration | N/A | $165 (passport) $136 (visa) |
| Other | $289 Intl Insurance (estimated) | |
| TOTAL: | $13,681 | $16,633 |
Budget Worksheet
The Budget Worksheet a financial planning tool that students should use as they research and compare programs. The worksheet includes an itemized breakdown of tuition, fees, housing, meals, and other expenses.
Budget Worksheet
Notes for completing the Budget Worksheet:
- Meet with your Education Abroad Advisor or Peer Mentor to review your Budget Worksheet.
- Keep a copy of the completed worksheet, as you will need to submit a copy to IPS and bring a copy to any study abroad meeting you have with the Office of Financial Aid.
- Research what is included in larger charges. For example, in some affiliated programs the "program charge" or "program fee" may include airport pickup and activities.
- If meals are included, be sure to check to see if you are covered over the weekends. Participants are not typically provided meals when doing personal travel so make sure you budget for your day/weekend getaways.
- While students can purchase single-direction flights, you should include the total cost of airfare on the worksheet.
Though the worksheet guides you in estimating certain costs, you can find additional information in the resources below. Study abroad requires participants to plan for both academic costs and personal activity expenses. IPS staff does not provide estimated costs for additional personal travel and activities. Traveling around while you are already abroad is an additional expense for which you must also plan for realistically. Always keep your additional travel plans in financial perspective. It is also important to keep in mind the differences between cost of living and currency exchange rates when compared to living in Millersville, PA. For example, living in a large city like New York City or Paris will be more expensive than living in Millersville or other areas of the world where cost of living may be less.
Exchange Rates (View current and historical exchanges rates.)
Kayak Flight Search (Estimate costs of flights.)
CIBT Visa Services (Can estimate cost of visa and visa services. Embassy and consulate websites provide the exact costs.)
Budget Your Trip (General cost-of-living estimates)
Date Calculator (Used to calculate the # of weeks you will be abroad which can be used to estimate some categories.)
Exchange Rates (View current and historical exchanges rates.)
Kayak Flight Search (Estimate costs of flights.)
CIBT Visa Services (Can estimate cost of visa and visa services. Embassy and consulate websites provide the exact costs.)
Budget Your Trip (General cost-of-living estimates)
Date Calculator (Used to calculate the # of weeks you will be abroad which can be used to estimate some categories.)
Utilize the following guide by GoOverseas.come: How to Budget for Study Abroad Guide
Tips for Budgeting:
1. Avoid foreign/international transaction fees: You don't want to waste money getting charged foreign transaction fees or ATM fees all the time. To avoid this, find a bank that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees or reimburses you for ATM fees. ATMs are great but don’t use them on a daily basis since most foreign ATM's will charge transaction fees which add up!. Also, never use cash exchanges at airports -- the exchange rate is never in your favor.
2. Inform your bank and/or credit-card company about your travel dates and location(s): You do NOT want your card being frozen while abroad.
3. Always travel with some cash: Like the US., some places abroad require a minimum amount to charge your card -- or won't accept a card at all. Also, you may need cash for emergencies. Cash is also useful when you first arrive. Try pre-ordering foreign currency and bringing about $100 in the local currency so you're prepared for those initial expenses, like transportation from the airport.
4. Budget according to your personality: Are you a foodie? A bargain hunter traveler? A shopper? How you like to spend your money will dictate where you should prioritize your 'back-up' funds. Make sure you are budgeting some wiggle room to enjoy the things you really want to do or experience.
5. Talk to past participants or Program Leaders!: Students and faculty who have previously studied abroad or traveled to your destination know best what the general costs are for everyday items, restaurants, and excursions, and will be able to provide insight into how much they saved or prepared for their travels.
Tips for Budgeting:
1. Avoid foreign/international transaction fees: You don't want to waste money getting charged foreign transaction fees or ATM fees all the time. To avoid this, find a bank that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees or reimburses you for ATM fees. ATMs are great but don’t use them on a daily basis since most foreign ATM's will charge transaction fees which add up!. Also, never use cash exchanges at airports -- the exchange rate is never in your favor.
2. Inform your bank and/or credit-card company about your travel dates and location(s): You do NOT want your card being frozen while abroad.
3. Always travel with some cash: Like the US., some places abroad require a minimum amount to charge your card -- or won't accept a card at all. Also, you may need cash for emergencies. Cash is also useful when you first arrive. Try pre-ordering foreign currency and bringing about $100 in the local currency so you're prepared for those initial expenses, like transportation from the airport.
4. Budget according to your personality: Are you a foodie? A bargain hunter traveler? A shopper? How you like to spend your money will dictate where you should prioritize your 'back-up' funds. Make sure you are budgeting some wiggle room to enjoy the things you really want to do or experience.
5. Talk to past participants or Program Leaders!: Students and faculty who have previously studied abroad or traveled to your destination know best what the general costs are for everyday items, restaurants, and excursions, and will be able to provide insight into how much they saved or prepared for their travels.
Millersville University students are able to use their financial aid towards their study abroad experience depending on a few factors such as term, length of program, and credit earned. The Office of International Programs & Services (IPS) recommends that you make an appointment with the Office of Financial Aid to discuss your specific financial situation, regardless if you plan to use federal or state aid towards your program.
Complete a Budget Worksheet and review the Financial Policies and the suggested questions below prior to your meeting with the Financial Aid Office:
How much is your current aid? Is that expected to be the same next year?
How much can be applied to study abroad?
How much will financial aid cover towards your total expenses?
When will your financial aid get disbursed? (Before you leave, or after you are already in-country?)
How much will you need to save out-of-pocket?
How much money will you need up-front vs. at a later date?
Is study abroad affordable for you now vs. a later term?
Note: Occasionally when students do not meet with the Financial Aid Office, they are forced to withdraw or defer when they realize they cannot afford to participate. DO YOUR FINANCIAL PLANNING BEFORE YOU APPLY TO STUDY ABROAD!
Financial Aid Study Abroad Financial Checklist
Complete a Budget Worksheet and review the Financial Policies and the suggested questions below prior to your meeting with the Financial Aid Office:
How much is your current aid? Is that expected to be the same next year?
How much can be applied to study abroad?
How much will financial aid cover towards your total expenses?
When will your financial aid get disbursed? (Before you leave, or after you are already in-country?)
How much will you need to save out-of-pocket?
How much money will you need up-front vs. at a later date?
Is study abroad affordable for you now vs. a later term?
Note: Occasionally when students do not meet with the Financial Aid Office, they are forced to withdraw or defer when they realize they cannot afford to participate. DO YOUR FINANCIAL PLANNING BEFORE YOU APPLY TO STUDY ABROAD!
Financial Aid Study Abroad Financial Checklist
If you are interested in applying to National/State scholarships, government or other organizational scholarships, they typically have an earlier deadline than the deadline to apply for study abroad through Millersville. You must start your scholarship research and applications early. It is recommended that you begin researching scholarships at the same time you are researching programs.
For more information about MU scholarships, check this webpage here: Scholarships
For more information about MU scholarships, check this webpage here: Scholarships