Study Abroad & Off-Program Cost

(Effective Fall 2026)

We are thrilled to introduce a new, simplified tiered pricing structure for Ohio Wesleyan University's study abroad programs. This model is designed to make the cost of studying abroad predictable, ensure the maximum transfer of your OWU financial aid, and significantly increase access for all students. Our goal is to ensure that a high-impact global experience is a viable reality for every Ohio Wesleyan student.

How Do the Tiers Work?

The tier model allows the cost of off-campus programs/ study abroad directly linked to your normal financial commitment at OWU, allowing your institutional scholarships and financial aid to travel with you in a predictable and sustainable way.

Please note that these policies do not apply to summer off-campus programs. For information about summer off-campus programs, please contact IOCP.

Understanding the Three Tiers

The cost of your study abroad program is determined by the program's overall expense. Our programs are organized by tiers in our program directory, allowing you to filter by tier.

Find your program's cost tier below:

Tier 1: The Match Tier (=)

This is the cornerstone of our commitment to equitable access.

Component Billing Model
Student Bill The student is billed their normal OWU on-campus rate (tuition, housing, meal plan, and fees).
Financial Aid Full institutional scholarship and financial aid apply seamlessly.
External Aid Federal aid (Pell Grants, loans), departmental awards (Baran, Horsfall, Lenfest), and external need-based aid (FEA, Gilman, Boren). See our financial aid link to the right for more information.
Impact Your cost for the semester abroad is identical to your cost for a semester on campus. This removes the financial barrier and makes study abroad a reality for nearly everyone.

Tier 2: The Plus Tier (+)

This tier covers slightly higher-cost programs while maintaining high affordability.

Component Billing Model
Student Bill Your normal OWU on-campus bill, plus a supplemental study abroad fee of $2,500.
Financial Aid Institutional aid still transfers. The supplemental fee helps OWU partially offset the higher program cost.
External Aid Federal aid (Pell Grants, loans), departmental awards (Baran, Horsfall, Lenfest), and external need-based aid (FEA, Gilman, Boren). See our financial aid link to the right for more information.
Impact The cost remains highly predictable and affordable, with only a minimal, one-time fee added to your regular semester bill.

Tier 3: The Premium Tier (*)

These specialized, high-cost programs offer unique curricular experiences.

Component Billing Model
Student Bill Your normal OWU on-campus bill, plus a supplemental study abroad fee of $5,000.
Financial Aid Institutional aid still transfers. The higher supplemental fee helps OWU partially offset the higher program cost.
External Aid Federal aid (Pell Grants, loans), departmental awards (Baran, Horsfall, Lenfest), and external need-based aid (FEA, Gilman, Boren). See our financial aid link to the right for more information.
Impact This transparent model allows us to continue offering unique, high-value, high-cost programs that define our academic excellence, while ensuring students understand the financial commitment upfront.

Universal Access Benefit: The Connection Grant

To address the major up-front financial hurdle of out-of-pocket expenses, all students are encouraged to apply for a Connection Grant.

  • What it Covers: Flight/transportation costs and meals/ food not included in program.

  • Who is Eligible: This is a critical, universal benefit available to students in all three pricing tiers.

This grant is designed to significantly reduce the out-of-pocket expenses students face before their program even begins, further increasing equity and access.

Summary of Advantages

Benefit How the Tiered Model Achieves It
Increased Access Tier 1 programs are the same cost as a semester at OWU, and the $3,000 flight grant addresses major upfront cost barriers.
Financial Transparency The cost is highly predictable: it's either the normal OWU bill (Tier 1) or slightly/ elevated one (Tier 2 & Tier 3).
Sustainable Funding The model facilitates the predictable transfer of institutional aid and captures necessary costs through fees, ensuring the program's long-term health.

Ohio Wesleyan pays all program fees and charges directly to the program with a few exceptions, such as program application fees and program deposits.