How Can I Afford It?

Spending a summer studying in North America can be one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of your life. Much is to be gained from the people you meet, the events you experience, and the lessons you learn. The memories you make during one summer overseas can be some of the best in your life!

You can experience U.S. education in very different ways than you would during the regular academic year. Often times, you will find summer study abroad programs to be more relaxed than semester or year programs, allowing you to more fully experience U.S. culture!

If you carefully choose a location and school, you can combine the best features of a foreign holiday with actual study. You can improve your English language fluency, gain new professional skills and deepen your understanding of life in the U.S.A.

You can do all this for an affordable price. The cost of attending summer school in the U.S.A. is low compared with the cost of studying for a full year. Also, even if it is for just a summer, your U.S. education is an investment that will reward you all your life.

Look at our Summer programs

Cost Of Summer Programs

How much you spend will depend mainly upon how long you study in the U.S.A. Summer sessions are usually between four and 12 weeks long.

You can find updated information on the cost and length of summer courses on the program’s website and in the catalog. Go to the "Request Information" tab to complete an online request form. You may link directly to the admissions office by clicking the "Apply Now" button on the school’s profile page at StudyUSA.com. If you write directly to the Summer Session Office or English Language Program of each school that interests you, please mention Study in the U.S.A. when you write.

It is difficult to estimate average total expenses for summer study in the U.S.A. because the cost of tuition and fees varies greatly from school to school. One program may include total care from start to finish, while another has a lower fee but charges separately for meals, accommodations etc. To make your own comparisons, here are some of the costs to expect.

Application Fee:

When you apply to study in a summer program, you will send an application fee along with your application. This non-refundable application fee can range from $30 to $75. Most institutions accept credit cards, or you can pay by check or money transfer.

Admission to some summer programs is selective. You may be asked to send copies of your grades at school or university. If your native language is not English, you also may be asked to supply your score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). If your TOEFL score is below a certain level, the school may refer you to the English language program or you may have to take an English placement test when you arrive.

Not all U.S. institutions require the TOEFL exam. Community colleges (two year institution at which students can earn a two-year Associate’s degree which will prepare them for further study at a four-year institution or grant students technical degrees) often do not require the TOEFL exam. Students who aren’t especially confident with their English may prefer to begin their studies at a summer community college program.

Tuition:

Costs of summer programs cover such a wide range that any average price would be misleading. Tuition for one three-credit course may range from $700 to $1,500. The quality of a program does not depend upon its cost. Quality depends upon other factors, of course. You will consider cost in choosing a program, but the education, experience, personal attention, facilities, geographical location, opportunities to participate in activities and excursions with other international students are all important factors that should determine your final decision. Prioritize what is most important to you, and start searching for the perfect match to start your exciting overseas summer adventure!

Similarly, there is no typical or average price for English language programs. Tuition at intensive English institutes will be as low as $250 or as high as $350 per week. One eight-week program at a major university costs $850; another may cost $4,000. Important questions to consider are class size, hours of instruction, and what workshops, activities or services are included with the tuition.

Health Service And Insurance:

Most summer programs charge a health service fee of about $50 to $80. For this fee, students can use the school clinic for treatment of minor injuries and illnesses.

Because U.S. medical costs are extremely high, you should also purchase health and accident insurance if the program does not offer an insurance plan to their students. This insurance will cover hospitalization and other expensive treatments.

Basic student insurance costs from $100 to $180 for three months. Write the school’s International student advisor or ask the academic counselor in your country about these plans before you go to the U.S.A.

Other Fees:

You will pay special fees if you use a science laboratory, fine arts studio or athletic facilities. Fees for using a computer center can be as high as $400.

Room And Board:

You can live in a residence hall during the summer at most colleges and universities. Rooms on campus usually are available for any summer program students who want them.

Most residence hall rooms are single rooms. There usually are some double rooms and suites for more than one person, too. Single rooms at a large university may rent for $20 to $40 a day. Double rooms cost slightly less per person and may offer the opportunity to live with a student from another country. At some universities, you can rent an air-conditioned room for a slightly higher price; at others, all rooms are air-conditioned.

Most schools offer a room and board payment plan. In this case, you would pay for both your room and your cafeteria or dining hall meals. These plans cost about $150 to $300 a week. You may also buy food at the school’s “snack bar” or campus center, or just relax at the campus espresso bar. Many campuses now offer a variety of fast-food and café options, in additions to the cafeteria. An advantage to living in the dorms is that lower rent in dorm accommodations often offsets high cost of living. However, if you prefer to live off-campus in an apartment, be aware that costs, furnishings, and availability will vary greatly. Some towns have very little affordable student housing, and choosing this option can be risky as you may not find accommodations as quickly as expected, and could incur very high hotel costs.

The cost of renting an apartment off campus varies widely depending upon the type of housing you find and the city you select. Cost of living varies greatly from city to city in the U.S.A.

Books And Supplies:

Students in the U.S.A. buy their own textbooks, notebooks, and other supplies. These may cost from $50 to $300 for a summer course. You can save money by buying used books. This can be done in your campus bookstore, or on line. We recommend www.efollet.com or www.amazon.com for used book bargains. At the end of your summer course, you may be able to sell your textbooks.

However, you may want to keep them so that you can continue your studies of the English language and North American culture at home. Don’t let your adventures abroad end at the conclusion of your program!

Now that you have experienced the life-changing effects of study abroad, you will probably want to return to the U.S.A. to study for a longer period of time. True appreciation of another culture and people often takes a year or longer. Intercultural immersion is a lifelong gift that you give yourself, and provides you with a special capacity for understanding other cultures that cannot be obtained anywhere else.

Personal Expenses:

You will pay up to several hundred dollars a month for transportation, entertainment, and necessities like soap, toothpaste, and stamps. You will also pay for laundry and dry-cleaning. You can often find a self-service laundry (coin or debit card operated washers and dryers) in your residence hall or near the campus.

Payment

Students are not always required to register in advance for summer programs. At many schools, you can register and pay your tuition during the first week of classes. However, you should reserve space in the course you want to attend by writing to the program office well in advance.

U.S. banks often delay payment of money that is transferred from foreign banks. Students should bring debit cards or have their money available in a checking account. Most programs accept credit cards. It is also a good idea to order a small amount of U.S. currency for your first few days in the U.S.A. to take care of immediate needs like a taxi or shuttle ride home from the airport. Be aware that you will also need large sums of money during the first few days of your program for things like rental deposits, textbooks, course fees, etc. Be prepared!

Financial Aid and Work

Financial aid is almost never available for summer study, even for U.S. students. Therefore, do not plan to finance even part of your summer experience through university scholarships or loans.

You may be able to take out a private loan to cover the cost of summer study abroad, with your parents or someone else as a co-signer. It may seem like a lot of money to spend, but think of it as an investment in yourself and your future. Study abroad now, before the realities of student loans and full time work prohibit you from fulfilling your dreams of travel! You have the advantage of being able to live in student dorms, eat in cafeterias, are able to take out student loans. All of these factors help make summer study abroad feasible!

The U.S. Government regulates international student employment. International students are not allowed to work during the first academic year in the U.S.A. Also, spouses of students on F visas (most students) may not work while they are in the U.S.A.

Summer is a wonderful time to further your studies and explore the United States. With the proper planning, you will have an exciting and rewarding experience! Get started today —plan next summer’s adventure abroad to learn English and experience North America firsthand!

Look at our Summer programs

By Study in the USA

Study in the USA is the education guide for international students.  Here you can Request Information from English as a Second Language (ESL) programs, universities, colleges, and boarding schools in the USA and Canada. Search the list of programs by language or category, including:

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Featured Programs provide you with university and post-secondary level program descriptions, as well as Request Information forms for contacting admissions offices. Younger students (ages 10-17) may consult the Boarding Schools listings for secondary-level, pre-university, and summer programs. TOEFL information is available in the Articles Area.