Finances

Arranging your finances is usually a top concern for students. Read below for important information on paying for your program.

All students will be charged the application fee to their UA Bursar account, except for students going on Non-UA Programs.

  • Arizona Abroad Programs: You will pay study abroad program fees and UA tuition (based on your Arizona residency status) to your Bursar account. Any out of pocket expenses, such as room and board, if applicable, will be paid in your host country.
  • Exchange programs: You will pay the program charge equal to UA tuition (based on your Arizona residency status) to your Bursar account. Any out of pocket expenses, such as room and board, will be paid in your host country.
  • Faculty led programs: You will pay for your study abroad program and fees through your Bursar account. (If you are a non-UA student going on a UA study abroad program, then you will do this as well. You will need your UA SID and PIN to access your UAccess and Bursar account). Your study abroad program fees will appear on your UA student account in accordance with the Bursar's Office's tuition billing timeline.
  • Non-UA Programs: You will pay your study abroad program fee to directly to your program.

All program charges will follow the Bursar's billing timeline and students can view the payment deadline in their UAccess account.

For further details regarding Study Abroad payment deadlines and policies, go to the Financial Information page.

 

Complete the FAFSA and be sure to accept your financial aid loans and grants for the term you plan to be abroad. Your UA financial aid will be disbursed to your UA student account approximately one week prior to the beginning of the regular UA term start date. (This is based on the regular UA calendar, not on your study abroad program start date.) Remember that any fees which are not covered by federal financial aid must be paid before the Bursar's due date or late fees will apply.

If you are considering cancelling from your program for any reason, you MUST contact your Study Abroad Coordinator ASAP.

Please carefully read the UA Study Abroad Withdrawal and Refund Policy that you completed as part of your application, as it varies by program type.

Cancellations or withdrawals are final only after a student completes the following form: Study Abroad Withdrawal Form.

It is important to have at least 3 forms of "money" at all times, just in case some options cannot be accessed. The most common forms of "money" are debit cards, credit cards, cash (US or foreign), and local bank accounts. What you choose to use is dependent upon how long you will be staying and where you will be going.

If you have a major debit card (Visa or MasterCard), there are ATMs in major (and lots of minor) cities in the world. Withdrawing money using your debit card is a lot more cost-effective than making wire transfers and safer than bringing a lot of cash with you. If you plan to withdraw money from a U.S. bank account, make sure that there are ATMs in your host city which are on NYCE, PLUS, or CIRRUS. Also, make sure to notify your bank before you leave home as your bank may put a hold on your card if they see unusual card activity. Be aware that the ATM machines may charge a high usage fee and may not always reliable (especially in developing countries).

In addition to using your debit card to withdraw cash, many students use credit cards. Credit cards often give you the best exchange rates, though many small restaurants, stores, and cafes may not accept them. Make sure to find out which card is most commonly accepted in your host country. Again, consult with your credit card company before you leave home to avoid account holds, which may be activated due to unusual activity on your card. Be aware that credit card fraud is a reality all over the world.

Some countries will allow you to work part-time on a student visa. However, UA Study Abroad encourages students to focus on their full-time studies. The labor laws of many countries may not allow you to work while you are in their country, so it is important to know the laws regarding your student visa (if applicable) and to be realistic about the time and commitment working abroad may take.