Financial Information - FAQ

Cost

What expenses make up the cost of off-campus study?

Expenses include Bucknell tuition, program fees, housing and meal costs, round trip airfare to the study abroad site, transportation costs in country, books, visa (if applicable), health insurance and personal costs.

Some of these costs are fixed, such as tuition and housing, others will depend upon the particular program and the spending habits of the student.

Will it cost more to study off campus?

Bucknell is committed to making off-campus study as affordable as possible. The "Bucknell in" programs include additional program items in the charge of tuition (such as airfare and program excursions). Bucknell approved programs (excluding exchange programs) are granted a "tuition credit", which helps to subsidize similar program costs (see Billing and Fees below for more details).

Even with these measures, the estimated cost of studying off campus normally exceeds the estimated costs of studying at Bucknell. The cost of living and traveling while off campus often exceeds the cost of living in Lewisburg. Families should budget an additional $2,000-$4,000 to cover the tuition, living and travel expenses associated with off-campus study (see below for additional funding options).

Where can the breakdown of the off-campus study costs be found?

The Office of International Education maintains cost sheets based on information provided to us by program providers.

These sheets are housed in our office library in Taylor Hall.

How are the cost sheets calculated?

Cost sheets for Bucknell approved programs include Bucknell tuition (minus an off-campus study "tuition credit"), set program costs (such as the housing cost) and estimated costs of travel, meals, and personal expenses established by the program provider. These costs are itemized and added into an estimated total cost figure.

"Bucknell in" programs are also itemized, but in these cases students pay full Bucknell tuition and some combination of Bucknell room and board fees. Estimated costs, such as round trip airfare from the east coast, local transportation, books, and personal expenses, are also calculated into the final cost.

Billing and Fees

How are students billed for a "Bucknell in" program?

For the "Bucknell in" programs (explained to the right in the Types of Programs section) the student will pay Bucknell on-campus tuition just as if s/he were on campus. Spain and France charge room and board approximately the same as Bucknell’s, while London and Barbados charge only room; meals are the student’s responsibility. As part of the program fee, these programs also give students the option of taking a group flight and/or being reimbursed for their own flight up to a set amount. Additionally, the Bucknell in London program fee includes a local transportation pass (a London tube pass) that can be used for the entire semester.

Students are responsible for textbooks, all or some meals, passports/visas, local transportation (excluding the Bucknell in London program) and personal expenses.

How are students billed for a Bucknell approved program?

For the Bucknell approved programs you will be charged Bucknell on-campus tuition, minus a "tuition credit". The "tuition credit" has been awarded in order to help defray the additional non-tuition expenses often associated with studying off campus on these programs.

Bucknell will also pay supplemental semester tuition charges that appear on the program’s bill, which are supplemental fees for required courses taken off-campus. Bucknell will not pay these supplemental tuition charges for non-required coursework above and beyond a full semester load of four credits (equal to 15-16 semester hours of credit). If you receive a bill from your provider for a mandatory academic component of your program, please send the bill to the Office of International Education.

It is the responsibility of the student or family to pay the non-tuition program charges, such as the housing fee, directly to the program. Note that the program will bill you directly for this charge. Please note that many programs do not include board in their charges, which means that students are responsible for paying for their own meals on these programs.

What if my Bucknell approved program bill includes tuition?

Bucknell will pay the tuition charge of your program directly to the program provider. The program’s tuition bill should come to the Office of International Education; if you receive such a bill, please notify the Office of International Education for payment (570.577.3796).

How are students billed for the engineering exchange program or the Associated Kyoto Program?

For the Nottingham and Tarragona Engineering Exchange programs (explained to the right in the Types of Programs section), students pay regular on-campus tuition to Bucknell for both programs. Check with the Office of International Education for non-tuition fees. For the Associated Kyoto program (AKP) (explained to the right in the Types of Programs section), students pay Bucknell’s comprehensive fee (tuition, room and board) to study on this program.

According to its normal schedule, Bucknell will charge on-campus tuition to participants on the Associated Kyoto Program, the Nottingham Engineering Exchange and the Tarragona Chemical Engineering Exchange. Please consult the cost estimate sheet for each program, as some programs include other expenses (such as airfare) in this tuition charge.

Are there any additional expenses that are not calculated or included in the list of fees/cost sheet?

The cost sheets combine fixed costs and estimated costs so they are at best an estimate of total costs for study abroad. They try to convey intangibles, such as personal expenses, which of course will vary widely from student to student depending on personal budget and lifestyle.

The cost sheets do not factor in whether a student might return home for a visit during the program, nor that family members will visit the student.

The cost sheet also does not include voluntary personal travel, an additional expense that varies widely according to personal preferences.

What if the Bucknell approved program requires a deposit?

Students pay deposits directly to the program.

The deposit is credited toward the student’s non-tuition portion of the program-provider bill. Make sure that your payment of the deposit is reflected on the bill you receive from the program.

Financial Aid and Outside Funding

Does financial aid still apply for off campus study?

Financial Aid does apply (minus work-study awards) and is transferable to all Bucknell study abroad programs ("Bucknell in" as well as Bucknell approved programs). Your federal, state, and institutional financial aid will apply first to outstanding balances on your Bucknell student account and then to current tuition charges.

How is financial aid calculated for off campus study?

The Office of International Education provides the Office of Financial Aid with a list of accepted students. The aid office then adjusts the student’s cost of attendance to match the costs of their particular program, adding such expenses as room & board, and air & ground travel. Thus, aid is automatically calculated for each student who has applied for financial aid and been formally accepted into an International Education off-campus studies program. A student is not required to complete a separate application.

Because the family contribution remains the same and the adjusted cost of attendance on an off campus studies program may now be higher, some students may be eligible for an increased or second federal student loan. Students will be notified by email if they are eligible for more loan funding. The Office of Financial Aid asks that when notified you respond as to whether you will accept or decline the loan.

As with any loan, the Office of Financial Aid will not process a loan without student agreement. If the student is required to complete loan related paperwork the Office of Financial Aid will prepare those documents so that they are ready for your signature before you leave the country. The Office of Financial Aid will not mail loan paperwork abroad. If the forms are not completed before you leave the country, the loan offer will probably be rescinded.

What if the student has extra money in his/her student account after paying Bucknell’s tuition?

Should all of a student’s aid exceed Bucknell tuition and other charges creating a credit balance, that balance can be refunded to the student. To obtain a refund the student must email the Finance Office at bursar@bucknell.edu. Please note that refunds are processed after classes begin at Bucknell University.

What if the student has financial aid that will not be disbursed until after the semester begins?

Some Bucknell approved programs allow students to defer payment for room and/or board if the expected credit balance due at Bucknell is large enough to cover these charges. Students should check directly with the program’s billing office to see if this option exists and follow their instructions.

Students expecting a credit refund may use the goldenrod "Request for Refund" form that can be obtained at the Finance Office (108 Marts Hall) or at the Office of Financial Aid (621 St. George Street). If you are off campus you may also notify the Finance Office at bursar@bucknell.edu about a month prior to the start of the semester with the following information:

• Your full name and BU ID#
• the semester the student will be abroad,
• who you wish the refund check to be made out to (generally yourself or a parent),
• and where to send the check.

Checks will be made out to the student or a parent, not the off-campus studies program and will only be mailed to a US address. Students should make arrangements to pay the program fees as soon as the refund check has been received.

Of course, the student may also pay the program costs when due, then use the credit balance refund to reimburse themselves for this expense.

Will there be any additional scholarship, grant, or loan money that a student can apply for through Bucknell?

Students who are currently receiving financial aid will be reviewed to determine if they may be eligible for a new or increased federal student loan.

Students may also request an alternative student loan which is offered by various lenders. These loans require a credit check and generally a co-signer. The student may borrow the full costs of the off-campus studies program.

Please feel free to make an appointment with the Office of Financial Aid at 570.577.1331 or via email at finaid@bucknell.edu if you want specific information regarding your own eligibility for financial aid.

Will there be any additional scholarship, grant or loan money available through the program/provider?

Many study abroad providers offer scholarship, grant or loan money to students enrolling in one of their study abroad programs. To learn more about these specific opportunities, visit the website of your program provider or visit the Office of International Education in 105 Taylor Hall.

Please be sure to notify the Office of Financial Aid if you do receive a program related scholarship so that they can keep in compliance with federal regulations.

If you have questions or concerns about aid for your program, please feel free to contact the Office of Financial Aid at 570.577.1331or via email at finaid@bucknell.edu.

Withdrawal/Refund Policy

What is the refund policy if a student withdraws from a "Bucknell in" program?

Any student who withdraws from a "Bucknell in" program and does not return to the university in the same semester will be subject to the university’s refund policy as printed in the university catalog. Because the Bucknell in programs include airfare, excursions, and other program-related expenses, unrecoverable costs for these additional expenses will be the responsibility of the student and will appear as a separate charge on the student account.

Any student who withdraws from a "Bucknell in" program and returns to the university in the same semester will be charged separately for the unrecoverable costs of the program, in addition to the Bucknell tuition. Please also be aware that financial aid cannot be increased to cover these unrecoverable charges.

What is the refund policy if a student withdraws from a Bucknell approved program?

Any student who withdraws from a Bucknell approved program and does not return to the university in the same semester will be subject to the university’s refund policy as printed in the university catalog. Any unrecoverable tuition charges paid to the off-campus study program (check carefully the program’s tuition refund policy) will appear as a separate charge on the student account.

Any student who withdraws from an off-campus studies program and returns to the university in the same semester will be charged separately for any unrecoverable tuition charges paid to the program (check carefully the program’s tuition refund policy), in addition to the Bucknell tuition. For non-tuition expenses, the specific program’s refund policy will apply. Please also be aware that financial aid cannot be increased to cover these unrecoverable charges.

Tuition Exchange and Tuition Remission
(for dependents of Bucknell employees)

Tuition Exchange (for dependents of Bucknell employees)

Regular full-time staff members’ dependent children are eligible to apply for a tuition exchange scholarship with colleges on the tuition exchange list, after the staff member has five years of University service. Please contact the Office of Human Resources for more information.

Tuition remission (for dependents of Bucknell employees)

Tuition remission is payment of tuition that is available for full-time classes at Bucknell for dependents of regular full-time staff members who have completed five years of service. Tuition payment covers the tuition fee only. Other fees and charges, including the student activities fee required of all full-time students, must be paid by the staff member. Please contact the Office of Human Resources for more information.

How does tuition exchange/remission work for a "Bucknell in" program?

For eligible dependents that receive tuition remission or tuition exchange and are participating on a "Bucknell in" program (France, London, Barbados, and Spain), tuition remission applies just as if the student were attending Bucknell. Your award will remain the same as if you were still on campus.

How does tuition exchange/remission work for a Bucknell approved program?

Students who receive tuition exchange and are participating in a Bucknell approved program, the exchange will cover 30% of Bucknell tuition, which will appear as a credit on your bill for Bucknell tuition.

Students participating on a Bucknell approved program who receive tuition remission, the tuition remission will cover 70% of Bucknell tuition, which will appear as a credit on your bill for Bucknell tuition. Students will be responsible for paying the remaining 30%.

Students may also stop by the Office of Financial Aid to enquire about other possible types of funding.

How does tuition exchange/remission work for the engineering exchange program or the Associated Kyoto Program?

For eligible dependents that receive tuition remission or tuition exchange and are participating in the Nottingham-Bucknell Engineering Exchange, the Tarragona Chemical Engineering Exchange, or the Associated Kyoto Program, tuition remission applies just as if the student were attending Bucknell. Your award will remain the same as if you were still on campus.