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Students are responsible for paying any application fees associated with submission of an application to a study abroad program.
Smith College will pay, or reimburse, program deposits normally required to confirm a students enrollment in a study abroad program.
Smith College will pay program deposits only after the Office for International Study has received the Participation Agreement and Release and Hold Harmless forms signed by the student and her parent/guardian. These forms are included with the study abroad approval letter sent directly to the student by the OIS. Students who have not submitted these forms by the due date of the program deposits are advised to pay their own deposits, then submit documentation of payment to the Office for International Study for reimbursement.
The time required for Smith College to issue a check is often longer than the time available for students to confirm their program enrollment. In instances when timing is critical for holding their place in a program, we recommend that students pay their own program deposits, then submit documentation of payment to the OIS for reimbursement. Otherwise, students should bring or send a copy of the program deposit bill to the Office for International Study for payment by Smith College.
DO NOT PAY program deposits for the following study abroad programs: Butler, Arcadia, School for International Training, and School for Field Studies. Through a special arrangement, these programs directly bill Smith College for program deposits.
Smith College will pay, or reimburse, non-refundable housing deposits that are an advanced payment of housing fees. Housing deposits that convert to damage or security deposits once the student arrives to take up residence are the responsibility of the student (see Damage Deposits).
The time required for Smith College to issue a check is often longer than the time available for students to accept their housing offers. In these instances, we recommend that students pay their own housing deposits, then submit documentation of payment to the OIS for reimbursement. When timing is not critical, please bring or send a copy of your housing deposit bill to the OIS for payment.
Students are responsible for paying all damage deposits, security deposits, and other refundable deposits. Damage deposits will be refunded to students at the conclusion of their study abroad, less any damages.
Students are responsible for obtaining their own passports and any necessary visas and immunizations, and are responsible for paying all associated fees.
Students are responsible for arranging their own transportation to and from the study abroad location and are responsible for paying all associated costs. Students on financial aid may include these costs in their Smith financial aid application.
Most study abroad programs provide an on-site orientation. In rare instances when there is an additional fee for an orientation, Smith College will pay the orientation cost.
Students are expected to take a full course load of credits during their study abroad. When
pre-sessions are required to complete a full course load for a semester, or when they are a required component of the study abroad program, Smith College will pay the pre-session cost. In all other instances, students who elect to attend pre-sessions do so at their own expense.
As in Northampton, room and food expenses during vacations and breaks abroad are the responsibility of the student. Students should plan ahead for the cost of vacation housing or travel while abroad, which will in most cases be higher than in the U.S. because of the distance from home, and because of longer vacation breaks abroad.
Smith College pays all tuition costs required for a full course load of credits (equivalent to one semester or one year of study at Smith College) for study abroad programs.
Most study abroad applications request the billing address for payment. If a signature is required for the billing section, please come to the OIS in the Neilson Library Archway for assistance. The address to enter in the billing section is as follows:
Smith College
Office for International Study
Neilson Library Archway
Northampton, MA 01063
In most cases, study abroad programs will send tuition bills directly to the OIS. However, programs may send tuition bills directly to students from time to time for a variety of reasons. Invoices for program fees that are the responsibility of the student (e.g. refundable deposits, group airfare) may also itemize tuition on the bill. Some institutions will send a copy of the tuition bill to students regardless of who is responsible for paying the bill. If you receive a tuition bill, please bring or fax a copy to the OIS (fax: 413-585-4982) so that we may make certain that payment is made.
Stipends are issued to students to cover the cost of food and housing when these items are not otherwise provided by the study abroad program.
Stipends are issued twice per year, at the beginning of each Smith College semester. Students who are studying abroad for a full year will receive stipends at the beginning of each semester.
Stipends are issued by direct deposit. Students must set up direct deposit to US bank account with the Controller's Office before leaving campus.
While stipends are issued as promptly as possible, they may not be received by students until their study abroad programs begin. Students are expected to be able cover their living expenses for the first two weeks of their study abroad program, and must plan accordingly.
Smith College pays for board during term time by either paying the study abroad program directly or by providing a food stipend to students. When three meals per day are provided by the study abroad program, students do not receive any food stipends. When fewer than three meals per day are provided by the study abroad program, students are issued food stipends for the remaining meals.
Food stipends are intended to cover reasonable food costs for purchasing groceries and preparing meals; they are not intended for the purchase of meals in restaurants. Food stipends are based on extensive research and experience with study abroad programs and students about the actual cost of purchasing groceries in the study abroad location.
Food stipends are intended to cover food expenses only during the time when classes are in session; they do not cover food costs during vacation periods or semester breaks. Just as when students are in Northampton, meeting food expenses during school breaks abroad is the responsibility of the student.
In some instances (usually programs in the British Isles and Australia), students and their families will receive the bill for their meal plan directly from their study abroad program. These students will receive a food stipend from Smith College for the payment of their meal plan, and are responsible for paying the meal plan bill directly. Please note that frequently meal plan bills are sent to the students US home address at the end of the semester. We recommend that students find out when their meal plan bills will be issued, and set aside the appropriate amount of their stipend for their designated family member to pay the meal plan bill when it arrives.
Food stipends are not adjusted once the semester is underway (see Currency Exchange Rates). We recommend that students budget their food expenses accordingly.
Smith College pays for housing during term time by either paying the study abroad program directly or by providing a housing stipend to students. If students do not receive a housing stipend, then their study abroad program bills Smith College directly for their housing. If students do receive a housing stipend, then they are responsible for paying the housing bill issued to them by their residence or program.
In instances when students are given a choice of housing options, Smith College will cover only the cost of a standard room in the standard residence options, not upgraded options. Students may elect higher cost options (e.g. an en-suite or single room when that represents an upgrade, or housing closer to campus that is available at a higher charge than the university residence halls), but they alone will be responsible for paying any additional cost. When students study through a provider, any supplemental housing charges assessed by the provider for optional upgrades will be billed to the student. Students who arrange housing themselves (see below) will receive a stipend only for the cost of a standard option.
Students who are directly enrolled at their study abroad institution must submit documentation of their housing costs (e.g. a copy of the accommodation offer or housing bill) to the Office for International Study before they will be issued a housing stipend.
Housing stipends are based on the currency exchange rate at the time of issuance. If the actual cost of paying the housing bill is greater than the amount of the stipend, then the student should submit documentation of the payment and actual cost to the Office for International Study. Smith College will then issue a housing stipend adjustment for the difference.
Students who receive housing stipends are expected to pay their housing bill as soon as it is presented to them. When the option is available, students are expected to make one payment for the total housing bill for the semester abroad, rather than paying in installments.
Students who are housed beyond walking distance from campus may request a transit stipend for commuting by public transportation to and from class.
Transit stipend requests must be received by the Budget Assistant in the Office for International Study within a month after the study abroad term begins, and must document the actual cost of public transportation to and from class. Email the budget Assistant with your request.
• Stipends are issued taking current exchange rates into consideration. Food and transit stipends are not adjusted for any currency fluctuations during the semester. Housing stipends may be adjusted for currency fluctuations (see Housing).
When the value of the US dollar is declining against foreign currencies, students are advised to convert their stipends into local currency as soon as possible.
Students are responsible for the cost of books and other personal expenses associated with the program of study abroad.
Students are responsible for the cost of their health insurance. Students studying abroad (except on a Smith JYA program) can elect the Smith Student Health Plan which does provide international coverage, or waive it in favor of another policy, including any policy offered by the study abroad program. Students electing an insurance policy through their study abroad program should be billed directly by the program for that coverage.
Students on a Smith JYA program are required to enroll in the health insurance policy offered by Smith.
Smith College will not issue stipends for incidental items or amenities, including but not limited to the following: internet access, phone connections, computer facilities, gym facilities, household items (e.g. pots and pans, cleaning supplies, toilet paper)
Smith College cannot guarantee that students studying abroad will have access to services or amenities equivalent to those provided at the Northampton campus. Different universities and programs provide differing levels of service and convenience, and offer unique benefits not available to students in Northampton. These differences are part of the culture that makes students experiences in another country distinctive.
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