Financial planning
Understanding the costs of off-campus study can help you plan with confidence. Learn how billing works, what's included, what you'll be responsible for, and the financial resources available to support your experience.
Costs and billing
Students participating in a semester or yearlong Skidmore Program or Approved international, domestic, or exchange program are charged Skidmore's comprehensive fee.
What's included in the comprehensive fee:
- Skidmore tuition
- Room (Skidmore's on-campus apartment rate)
- Board (if applicable)
- Mandatory college fees
How billing works:
- Students are billed through Skidmore's Bursar's Office just as they would be for an on-campus semester.
- Skidmore pays the program provider directly on the student's behalf.
- Students can make a payment of the deposit for a semester program ($500) or for a travel seminar ($250) online via electronic check or credit card. There is a 2.75% fee for utilizing a credit card. To make an online payment, use the Registrar's E-bill system, and when selecting your term, an option to make a study abroad deposit will be available.
Why Skidmore uses a comprehensive fee:
Programs are selected for their academic quality and fit—not cost. Because program fees vary, all students pay the same Skidmore rate, ensuring financial considerations don't limit program choice. Revenue from the comprehensive fee supports:
- Off-campus study program costs
- OCSE staffing and administrative support
- Faculty and staff global development opportunities
- Extracurricular programming
- Financial aid for off-campus study
Any remaining revenue supports the College's general fund.
Important reminders:
- Students must be approved by OCSE before studying off campus.
- Once approved, students must follow Skidmore's comprehensive fee structure.
- Students cannot take a leave of absence to study off campus and transfer credits back to Skidmore.
What's covered
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Skidmore pays:
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Students pay:
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Travel seminar costs
Travel seminar fees vary by destination and program. Your acceptance letter will include your program fee and you'll be billed through the Bursar's Office after accepting your offer.
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Typically includes:
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Not included:
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Deposits
All students studying off campus submit a non-refundable deposit to OCSE. Refundable deposits required by program providers must be paid directly by students.
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Semester and yearlong programs:
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Travel seminars:
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Financial aid
- Skidmore financial aid applies to all semester-long Skidmore Programs and Approved Programs, including both international and domestic programs.
- Students receiving financial aid should schedule a meeting with the Office of Financial Aid as soon as possible after program acceptance.
- Students considering a Travel Seminar should meet with Financial Aid early in the planning process to discuss available funding.
Scholarships for studying off-campus
External scholarships can help offset the cost of off-campus study. Explore national, program provider, local, and identity-based scholarship opportunities, and report any external awards to the Office of Financial Aid.Award: Up to $8,000 per semester
For students studying in regions critical to U.S. interests — including Africa, Asia (China and Japan), Eastern and Central Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. All programs must include a language-learning component.
Students majoring in science, political science, history, business, or economics are especially encouraged to apply.
Award: $2,500–$4,000
Open to U.S. undergraduates studying abroad in Japan in any major. Awards vary by
program length.
Funded by U.S. corporations and administered through the nonprofit US-Japan Bridging
Foundation.
Applications are accepted twice a year.
Award: Up to $10,000
FEA supports students who are underrepresented in study abroad — including first-gen, minority, and nontraditional students — and those studying in destinations outside of Western Europe and Australia.
Scholarships are available for semester and summer programs (minimum 4 weeks).
Award: Up to $5,000
For students who are Pell Grant recipients. Gilman prioritizes students studying outside of Western Europe and Australia and encourages applications from students with diverse backgrounds, including those in STEM fields, students with disabilities, and nontraditional-aged students.
Administered by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
Programs in countries under U.S. State Department travel warnings (or in Cuba) are ineligible.
Award: Varies
Supports U.S. undergraduates with financial need who are studying abroad in East or Southeast Asia.
Visit the program website for application details and deadlines, typically posted in early January.
Many of Skidmore’s approved study abroad program providers offer merit- or need-based scholarships. Contact your program directly to learn what’s available and how to apply.