Study Abroad Finances and Aid

You should consider all the costs involved in the program(s) that interest you. Study Abroad is a good investment for most students, and one with a value beyond measure. But take care not to plan beyond what you can reasonably afford.

Costs to consider:

Tuition
o Is the program included in Sage tuition?
o Is financial aid included?
Room and Board
o Is it included in the overall price?
o Is it an additional cost to figure into the total?
o How many meals per week does it include?
Airfare
o Round trip to Albany, or another location?
o If another airport, does the airfare cover the hop to Albany?
Local Transportation
o Ground transportation to your destination from and to the airport
o Estimate transportation cost for the entire stay
Insurance
o Make certain you have full medical coverage that is valid overseas, and know how to access it

Costs related to Study Abroad experiences that are not covered by program fees may include:

Passport ($100)
o Visit the Department of State'swebsite for everything you need to know about passports

Passport photos
o Available at most post offices, CVS, Kinkos, Sears, through AAA

Visa (varies by country)
o Visit the Project Visa site to learn more

International Student Exchange ID card ($25)
o ISE card can earn you valuable discounts, click here for website

Long distance calls
o Find out the best and cheapest ways to make calls from your foreign country ahead of time
o If possible, arrange to communicate by e-mail

Personal Travel
o While in your foreign country, consider traveling on your own on weekends or before or after the Study Abroad session

Financial Aid

Sage institutional aid may be limited or may not apply to your Study Abroad program. Typically aid does not cover extra costs associated with your travel. Carefully consider all costs to decide whether you can afford the program.
The type of program you select is important for your finances and eligibility for financial aid.

  • If you participate in a Sage sponsored program, you will remain registered at Sage and your financial aid package can be applied.
  • If you participate in the New York State universities/colleges sponsored programs, only your state and federal financial aid can be transferred. The amount of state and federal aid will be adjusted to reflect the costs of the institution in which you enroll. (In these cases, you must pay all charges to Sage, not the host college or university.)

  • If you sign up directly with a university abroad or non-affiliated program outside of New York State, some or all of your state and federal aid may not be usable.


Getting your financial aid when you need it is not always easy, even in the best of circumstances. The official "disbursement dates" for financial aid are usually tied to Sage's academic calendar and may not correspond with Study Abroad programs that begin earlier or later than a typical semester. This is particularly true for summer travel, where the course may be fully completed before the July disbursement date.


The Office of Student Services can assist you in obtaining short-term loans to bridge that time gap. If you are going on a Study Abroad program with an early starting date, contact the Office of Financial Aid (through the Office of Student Services) to see if arrangements can be made to release some funds earlier.