The challenges of financing a semester abroad may at first seem daunting, but with proper consideration the challenges can be overcome. Financial aid can be applied to a semester abroad program, and your eligible amount is typically increased. Plus many study-abroad scholarships are available to help offset the cost. While it is true that some study-abroad programs are very expensive, the COLFA Semester in Urbino is affordable, involves a lot of travel, and allows you to live in Italy for more than three months at a cost that is the same or similar to a semester at UTSA! Plus, the benefits of this program on your studies, your career, and your overall personal development are enormous. See for yourself in this article, “Why Study Abroad.”
Program Fee
The estimated program fee for the Spring 2024 and Fall 2024 COLFA Semester in Urbino is $11,200.
The Program Fee Covers
- a dorm room in the residence of the University of Urbino for the 13-week semester
- three extended trips (Rome, Florence/Siena, Verona/Venice plus seven day trips and other special excursions
- 10 three-course meals a week (lunch and dinner) at the University of Urbino cafeterias. Meals can be banked if not used daily
- a 4-credit hour Italian language class taught by instructors at Lingua Ideale that will transfer automatically to ASAP as FL 1034 Beginning Language Study Abroad (advanced options are available for students who have completed ITL 1014 Elementary Italian or the equivalent)
- program-related travel within Italy and travel insurance (see details below)
The Program Fee Does Not Cover
- UTSA tuition: most fees are waived and you will not pay UTSA tuition or lab fees on the Italian language class
- airfare to and from Italy: a typical budget round-trip flight can cost as little as $600-$850. Most students pay between $800 and $1,100 for airfare
- incidental fees including: $75 UTSA Education Abroad Application Fee, $150 UTSA Education Abroad Program Fee
Payment Schedule
Student accounts are invoiced on September 5 for the Spring semester and February 15 for the Fall semester. Program fee payments are collected according to the following schedule. You also have the option of paying the estimated balance of $8,150 in January (Spring Semester) or August (Fall Semester) instead of spreading it out over three payments. Please be aware that costs listed below are estimates. Exact costs for the semester will be communicated to students after the balance of the first payment (March 30 for Fall Semesters and October 30 for Spring Semesters) based on enrollments, current exchange rates, and local costs.
| Spring Semester | Fall Semester |
|---|---|
| September 10: List of participating students confirmed |
February 6: List of participating students confirmed |
| September 11: Invoices listed on ASAP accounts |
February 7: Invoices listed on ASAP accounts |
| September 28, 4:00 pm: $1,000 | February 28, 4:00 pm: $1,000 |
| October 31, 4:00 pm: $1750 plus financial agreement | March 30, 4:00 pm: $1750 plus financial agreement |
| January 15: $2,750 | August 20: $2,750 |
| February 15: $2,750 | September 15: $2,750 |
| March 15: $2,750 | October 15: $2,750 |
You can use the following methods to make the first two payments in February and March
- pay online using RowdyPay through Banner ASAP using either Credit Card payment with 2.25% credit card expense charge or Electronic Check payment
- pay in person with cash or check at the Office of Fiscal Services
Payments are made to the Office of Fiscal Services. Proof of payment is submitted as an assignment in the COLFA Semester in Urbino Blackboard Organization. If you do not see this Organization when you log into Blackboard, contact Dr. Drew Stephen or Dr. Bridget Drinka immediately.
| Payment Instructions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spring Semester | Fall Semester | |
| September 10 | February 6 | Initial payment invoice of $2,750 posted to student's ASAP account. Students are enrolled in a COLFA Semester in Urbino Blackboard Organizational Course. Detailed instructions and deposit slips can be downloaded from the Blackboard Organization. |
| September 28 | February 28 | Initial non-refundable payment of $1,000 made to the Office of Fiscal Services, JPL 102.02. Payments can be made in person or online. Follow the instructions in the COLFA Semester in Urbino Blackboard Organization to submit your receipt and deposit slip as proof of payment. |
| October 30 | March 30 | Balance of $1,750 made to the Office of Fiscal Services, JPL 102.02. Payment can be made in person or online. Follow the instructions in the COLFA Semester in Urbino Blackboard Organization to submit your receipt and deposit slip as proof of payment. The full balance of the first installment must be made by 4:00 pm to ensure your place in the program. Download the Financial Commitment Agreement from the COLFA Semester in Urbino Blackboard Organization. A signed, dated copy must be submitted to the appropriate assignment on Blackboard by 4:00 pm on this date. |
| January 15 | August 20 | Payment of $2,750 invoiced and paid through ASAP |
| February 15 | September 15 | Payment of $2,750 invoiced and paid through ASAP |
| March 15 | October 15 | Payment of $2,750 invoiced and paid through ASAP |
After November 1 (Spring semesters) and March 30 (Fall semesters) the full amount of the program fee is paid to our Italian partners by UTSA on behalf of the student using a bridge fund mechanism. This allows us to make all necessary arrangements and bookings while also allowing students to pay for the semester using their financial aid and scholarship funds (which are normally not available until 10 days before the program begins). After November 1 and March 30, the program fee is not refundable if canceled by the student. UTSA will evaluate health and safety issues in Italy 60 days before the departure date. If UTSA is forced to cancel the program at this point, the initial payments will be refunded to students and no charges will be made for the outstanding balance.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
There are many ways to make studying abroad more affordable, starting with the many scholarship opportunities that support study abroad. UTSA offers internal scholarships that are ideal for our program but, you may also be eligible for several of the external awards. I encourage you to investigate all of these possibilities and apply. Please consult the UTSA Office of Global Initiatives page for Study Abroad Funding and the Office of Nationally Competitive Awards for more information on financing your semester abroad. For scholarship advising, contact Dr. Drew Chapman, Director of Nationally Competitive Awards and Fellowships
Featured Awards:
Some links for the 2023-2024 academic year are not yet available. This page will be updated regularly as links become available
- International Education Fund (UTSA internal scholarship)
- David Bowen Memorial Endowment (for COLFA students).
- COLFA Center for Student Excellence Experiential Learning Scholarship (for COLFA students)
- Benjamin Gilman International Scholarship
- Fund for Education Abroad
- IIE Generation Study Abroad Travel Grants
- The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Scholarship
Other Awards:
- Diversity Abroad Oversees Ambassadors
- Foundation for Global Scholars
- Go Overseas
- Golden Key International Honour Society Study Abroad Scholarship
- Global Studies Foundation
- Tortuga Backpack Study Abroad Scholarship
You can also use financial aid to study abroad. UTSA One Stop Enrollment maintains an excellent Study Abroad page with helpful information on scholarships, grants, financial aid, and alternative loans. Please contact Marcia Osman in the Financial Aid office for advising.
Since your financial aid will apply to the specific semester you are abroad but you are required to make the first payment in the preceding semester, you may find it helpful to submit a Loan Change Request Form to One Stop. If you have room in your current Cost of Attendance, the loan team will be able to move money from next semester to the current semester. Please remember that doing so will reduce the financial aid you will be receiving during your semester abroad.
Additionally, you will need to submit a Study Abroad Financial Aid Request Form in order for the financial aid office to process your federal loan. The form must be submitted at least 4 weeks before your departure. Please see the Study Abroad Financial Aid website for instructions.
Estimated Study Abroad vs. On-Campus Cost Comparison for 2023-2024
Since the cost of housing, meals, and transportation during your semester abroad is covered by the program fee and many tuition fees are waived, the actual cost of the COLFA Semester in Urbino is comparable to a semester on campus. With the many scholarships that are available, the cost of your semester abroad may even cost you less than a semester on campus! Compare the cost of the COLFA Semester in Urbino with the cost of attendance data from the UTSA Office of Financial Aid. Estimates are based on one semester with 15 credit hours of courses. Most COLFA Semester in Urbino students will receive UTSA credit for 15-16 credit hours but only pay tuition, with most fees waived, for 11-12 credit hours. Keep in mind that students participating in the COLFA Semester in Urbino are eligible for study abroad scholarships that would not otherwise be available to students studying on the main campus
| Urbino | Home with Parents | Off-Campus | On-Campus | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees | $3,700 | $5,483 | $5,483 | $5,483 |
| Books | $100 | $500 | $500 | $500 |
| Housing and Meals | Included in Program Fee | $2,106 | $4,986 | $6,467 |
| Mandatory Travel Insurance | $260 (included in program fee) | Unknown private medical insurance cost | ||
| Education Abroad Application Fee | $75 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Education Abroad Program Fee | $150 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transportation | $1,500 | $1,344 | $1,654 | $348 |
| Personal/Miscellaneous | $500 | $738 | $1,026 | $1,044 |
| Loan Fees | $68 | $68 | $68 | $68 |
| Urbino Program Fee | $11,200 (includes housing, meals, 10 program-related trips, 4-credit hour Italian class, travel and medical insurance, visa fee) | |||
| Total | $17,293 | $10,239 |
$12,228 | $13,910 |
Study Abroad Medical and Travel Insurance
All students participating in UTSA Study Abroad programs are required to participate in a student travel policy that covers injury and illness that occurs while on a study abroad or academic research trip. The maximum benefit for out-of-country medical is $200,000 with no deductible. The maximum benefit for medical evacuation or repatriation is 100% of the covered expenses. That means if you need to be removed from the country for medical or other covered reasons, the cost is paid in full. Very often, medical repatriation can cost up to $100,000. The travel policy does not cover any kind of routine care or maintenance of a pre-existing condition.
The student travel policy also covers the cost of International SOS, which provides round the clock information to assess risks and prepare for international travel, 24/7 advisors with local expertise, and 24/7 assistance and support while students are abroad.
Students also have access to many International SOS services including recommendations for nearby medical facilities and direct billing. In addition, all evacuations/repatriations are organized through International SOS. For full details of the coverage, see the Student International Accident & Sickness Policy Brochure. The weekly fee of $20 is included in the program fee and covers the cost of the travel policy and International SOS. UTSA does not earn any revenue in the collecting of this fee.
Visa Requirements
US Citizens traveling to Italy may remain in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180 day period without a visa. Since the COLFA Semester in Urbino is under 90 days in length, a student visa is not required for this program. UTSA does not have an option to support a study visa that would allow you to stay longer. You must arrive in and leave the Schengen Area on the specified program dates and you are restricted from traveling to a Schengen country in the 90 days preceding and following the program.
