Budgeting for Study Abroad
Source: https://sfs.jhu.edu/financial-wellness/budgeting-for-study-abroad/ Parent: https://sfs.jhu.edu/financial-wellness/
Mar. 2, 2026 Budgeting
Planning on studying abroad during your time at Hopkins? Here’s all you need to know about budgeting for your expenses abroad.
Can financial aid be applied to your study abroad expenses?
Yes, during the Fall and Spring semesters. If your study abroad program is less expensive than a semester at Hopkins, we will correspondingly reduce your scholarship eligibility. If your study abroad program is more expensive, we will correspondingly increase your scholarship eligibility.
How do I know how much my study abroad program costs?
The Global Education Office has links to Semester and Year Programs, Intersession Programs, and Summer Programs, with itemized budgets so that you can plan ahead for your expenses. Let’s look at an example budget, which is broken out into direct and indirect expenses:
Sample Study Abroad Budget
- Hopkins Tuition $33,335
- Total$33,335
- Housing $6,000
- Meals $3,000
- Airefare $2,000
- Local Transportation $300
- Visa $0
- National Health Insurance (required by host country) $250
- Books & Course Supplies $300
- Communication Fees (phone, internet) $150
- Personal & Miscellaneous Expenses $2,500
- Total$14,500
What is the difference between billable and non-billable expenses?
Hopkins will directly bill you for your tuition expenses, while all other expenses are indirect (non-billable). If you are receiving a financial aid refund, that would be used for those indirect expenses. If you are not receiving a refund, these expenses will come out of pocket. Please note that these non-billable expenses are estimations, and you will be expected to stay within the budgeted cost of attendance.
It is important to plan ahead for your indirect expenses so that you have sufficient funds to carry you through your term abroad. Use money-tracking apps or spreadsheets to monitor spending and avoid overspending. You may even find opportunities to save money, depending on how strategic you are about your expenses. This could mean choosing a housing option that is more affordable (e.g. shared housing, homestays), cooking your meals at home, taking public transportation, or even prioritizing free experiences over frequent travel.
Can I apply for additional scholarships for study abroad?
You absolutely can! The Global Education Office has scholarships that students can apply for. These are awarded based on financial need, academic merit, the year of study, and your previous experiences abroad.
Check out iGrad for additional articles on budgeting for study abroad.
- Financially Prepare for Study Abroad
- 5 Tips to Save While Studying Abroad
- See the World and Spend Almost Nothing
- Want to Study Abroad but Afraid of the Cost?