What type of program you choose – ISEP exchange, ISEP direct, or a partner university exchange – will affect the cost of your study abroad as well as who you pay.
International Student Exchange Program (ISEP) Exchange:
- Student pays CMU for tuition/fees AND room/board during the semester(s) abroad.
- CMU scholarships AND federal financial aid can be used while abroad.
- This is often the least expensive option for students paying in-state tuition and especially for those with any CMU scholarship.
- Not available for summer study abroad.
- On exchange, a student must be flexible and apply to multiple locations.
International Student Exchange Program (ISEP) Direct:
- The price paid to ISEP is listed on the university's program page on the ISEP Website. It may or may not include housing and meals, so be sure to review what is included on the program page for each university you are considering.
- A student may use federal financial aid, but not CMU scholarships (you pay ISEP, not CMU, for you semester(s) abroad).
- Summer study abroad options are always direct.
- On direct, a student does not need to be flexible on a location and lists just one location on the application.
Partner universities (for Buisness and Hospitality Management majors):
- Generally, a student will pay CMU for tuition/fees like an ISEP exchange , but will be responsible on their own for housing costs.
- Like an ISEP exchange, a student may use CMU scholarships and federal financial aid towards their tuition costs for their semester(s)abroad.
- Contact the Study Abroad office for more information on our partner universities in Denmark, Germany, and Turkey.
Once you understand the different study abroad options, you can determine which is right for you!
Financial Planning tips:
- Understand your current cost of attendance and room and board costs at CMU along with any CMU scholarships you have so you can compare the cost of an exchange semester(s) with that of any direct options you are interested in.
- Meet with the CMU Financial Aid Office to review your current financial aid package and discuss your plan to study abroad.
- On exchange, you will be billed for 15 credits of CMU tuition/fees at your current rate of in-state, out-of-state, or WUE/Mountain Plains. You will also pay CMU for your room/board. The university uses a double room in Grand Mesa with the unlimited meal plan as the study abroad semester cost.
- On direct, you are not billed by CMU for anything, but rather you will pay ISEP directly. You will still be considered a CMU student during the semester and enrolled in a placeholder course at CMU. You are not billed by CMU for tuition/fees nor room/board while abroad on direct. If you received financial aid, you may wait until those funds have been disbursed for your semester abroad to pay your direct program cost to ISEP.
Other costs to consider:
- $100 ISEP application fee
- $450 ISEP acceptance fee (once you accept your study abroad placement)
- Airline tickets
- Possible visa-related costs (sometimes requires travel to/from the consulate in the U.S)
- Traveling and sightseeing while abroad
- Entertainment and personal expenses
- Books and supplies
- Required ISEP health insurance (approximately $110 per month). Direct students have this cost built into the total fee.
- Resources for budget planning and scholarship opportunities:
