Costs vary greatly between study abroad programs. Consider the following factors that may impact the cost of your study abroad program: 

• Number of credits 

• Type of program (ex. Faculty-led, exchange, or partner program)  

• Program length and time  

• Room and board  

• Cost of living in the host country   

• Program inclusions (excursions, local transportation, etc.)   

The budget for each study abroad program is located on the “Costs & Scholarships” tab of each program brochure accessible in the WMU Study Abroad Application Portal. All budgets are made up of two major categories: Billable Amounts and Non-Billable Amounts. 

• Billable Amount (program Fee + tuition): This is the amount that will be charged to the student’s WMU Student Account for the WMU semester of study abroad enrollment. A description of what’s included in the Billable Amount is published on the “Costs & Scholarships” tab of each program brochure accessible in the WMU Study Abroad Application Portal 

• Non-billable Amount (out-of-pocket expenses): This amount reflects estimates for other costs directly related to participating in the academic program abroad. Some of these costs may vary according to individual preferences and needs. These estimates do not include activities that are not part of the academic program, such as personal travel, entertainment, shopping, etc. Students should plan to bring additional funds for their own personal activities.  

In most cases, financial aid and scholarships received to study on campus may be applied to WMU study abroad programs. The cost estimate published on the study abroad online program brochure serves as the official financial aid budget. Students should take the budget to Student Financial Aid and Scholarships and meet with an advisor to determine any possible aid package. Federal, state and private financial aid may be applied to study abroad, including the Michigan Educational Trust and the Kalamazoo Promise (equivalent to cost of credit hours at WMU). 

Students enrolled in courses offered by University-approved study abroad providers who are financial aid or scholarship recipients are also required to complete a budget sheet with their study abroad specialist prior to meeting with a financial aid advisor. Students are advised to bring cost estimates to the appointment with study abroad staff, including the program fee, anticipated round-trip airfare, costs for housing, meals, and local transportation, as well as any other program-related expenses. After meeting with a study abroad specialist, the student must make an appointment with financial aid to review the program budget and finalize any request for funding. 

Special note to seniors: Once degree requirements are completed, students are no longer eligible for aid, per WMU's Student Financial Aid and Scholarships policy. 

For more information on scholarships for study abroad and a list of scholarship resources, please click here. 

The WMU Study Abroad Office recommends that students conduct extensive scholarship research to identify awards that are applicable to their study abroad plans.  

In many cases, students receive scholarship awards from a variety of sources including the Haenicke Institute for Global Education, WMU academic colleges or departments, their study abroad program provider or host university abroad (if applicable), and other external funding sources.  

Guaranteed Scholarship for Pell Grant Recipients 

All students who receive the federal Pell Grant to attend WMU will automatically receive scholarship funding of at least $1,250 upon acceptance to a study abroad program administered by WMU Study Abroad; this includes faculty-led, faculty-directed, exchange, or study abroad partner programs.  

U.S. citizen undergraduate students who receive federal Pell Grants are strongly encouraged to apply for the Gilman Scholarship Program. 

A passport is a government-issued document that serves as proof of identity and citizenship and is required for international travel.  

Western Michigan University advises students considering study abroad to apply for a passport as soon as they begin a program search. Students who already have a passport need to check the expiration date to ensure it will be valid for a minimum of six months beyond intended stay in the country.  

For more information on applying for a U.S. passport, please see the U.S. Department of State "U.S. Passports" webpage.  

Please note that processing for a first-time passport or passport renewal can take multiple weeks or months. It is important to apply early to ensure your passport will be available on time for your travel abroad (and to complete any visa processes that may be required).  

For more information about current passport processing times, please see the U.S. Department of State "Get Your Processing Time" webpage.  

Students who already have a passport need to check that their passport meets any additional requirements set by their host country (and any additional countries where they may plan to travel during their program). For example, many countries require that your passport expiration date be at least 3-6 months after your intended date of departure. 

For more information on passport requirements for your host country, please see the U.S. Department of State "Learn about your Destination" webpage.  

Please note that WMU Study abroad is not responsible for obtaining student passports, nor is it responsible for passport complications, delays, or denials. However, our staff are here to help guide and provide resources as much as is possible.  

For more information and resources regarding visas, please click here.  

A student visa is a government-issued immigration document granted by a consulate general or embassy, which allows you to legally study in a specific country for a specific date range. Typically, a visa is an endorsed sticker or stamp placed on the inside pages of your passport. Your student visa is as important as your passport; without it you will not be able to study abroad, if required by your host country. 

Important Notes 

• Every country has their own process, requirements, and fees for applying for a visa. Some countries may require you to travel to an in-person appointment at a consulate or embassy in select U.S. cities. 

• Visa requirements and processes can change without notice. Therefore, it is important to consult official sources of information such as your host country consulate or other official visa application processing entity for any updated information.  

• Your visa requirements may be impacted by a variety of factors, including (but not limited to) your nationality, citizenship status, country you are traveling to, duration of your program, and more. 

Please note that WMU Study abroad is not responsible for obtaining student visas, nor is it responsible for visa complications, delays, or denials. However, our staff are here to help guide and provide resources as much as is possible.  

Any student with a documented disability (e.g., physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the WMU Disability Services for Students (DSS) Office ahead of their term abroad. 

A disability determination must be made by the DSS Office before any accommodations are provided by the study abroad course's instructor.