Funding & Financial Aid FAQs

Program fees vary based on destination, term length, and program type. As a general range:

• J-term and short summer programs start from approximately $4,995–$6,500
• Summer programs (4–10 weeks) typically range from $5,000–$10,000
• Semester programs generally range from $11,995–$20,000+
• Internship programs typically start around $8,950

These program fees typically include tuition/academic fees, housing, orientation, in-country support, emergency assistance, and embedded health insurance. Personal expenses, flights, and some meals are generally not included. Use the WorldStrides Program Finder to view starting prices for specific programs.

Typically included in WorldStrides program fees: tuition or host university enrollment fees, housing (dormitory, apartment, or homestay depending on program), orientation activities, in-country staff support, WorldStrides emergency assistance (WorldAssist), embedded health and travel insurance, and access to the WorldStrides student app.

Typically not included: international airfare, personal meals beyond what is specified, personal travel and leisure activities, visa fees, and personal spending money.

Some programs include additional amenities like cultural excursions or partial meal plans — always review the specific program page for a detailed cost breakdown. WorldStrides also provides a Funding Guide to help students plan total costs.

WorldStrides offers scholarships and grants to help make education abroad more accessible. Available funding includes the WorldStrides Access Scholarship for students with demonstrated financial need, as well as various program-specific awards. In addition to WorldStrides' own scholarships, students are encouraged to apply for external funding sources such as the Gilman Scholarship (for Pell Grant recipients), the Boren Awards, and institution-specific study abroad grants. WorldStrides advisors can help students identify and apply for funding opportunities. Here is a list of scholarships and grants available to study abroad with WorldStrides.

In many cases, yes — if your home university certifies the program. Students attending a WorldStrides program through a formal university partnership can often apply their existing financial aid package (including federal grants, loans, and institutional aid) toward program costs, just as they would for on-campus tuition. The key requirement is that your home institution must be willing to certify the program for financial aid purposes.

WorldStrides works directly with financial aid offices at partner institutions to facilitate this process. Students applying independently should contact their financial aid office to ask about consortium agreements or leave of absence policies. Explore financial aid options here.

WorldStrides' cancellation and refund policy varies by program and the timing of the cancellation relative to the program start date. Generally, students who withdraw earlier in the process receive a larger refund, while cancellations closer to departure may result in partial or no refunds due to non-recoverable costs. WorldStrides strongly recommends that all students purchase travel insurance to protect against unforeseen cancellations. Specific refund schedules are outlined in the program agreement provided during the application process. For questions about a specific program's cancellation policy, please contact WorldStrides directly.