Plan for the full cost of studying off campus
Understand what Kalamazoo College bills, how financial aid applies and which additional expenses to include in your Study Abroad or Study Away budget.
Start with these three things
1. Review the program brochure
Check the program brochure in Hornet Passport for housing, meals, required fees and estimated personal expenses. These details vary by program.
2. Estimate your expenses
Use the off-campus study cost estimator to compare the K Comprehensive Fee, anticipated financial aid and expenses you will pay directly.
3. Review your financial aid
Your final cost depends on your individual aid package and program. Review your estimate with the Financial Aid Office before making a financial commitment.
The K Comprehensive Fee
Students participating in an approved Study Abroad or Study Away program remain enrolled as full-time Kalamazoo College students. Charges are billed through the student’s K account for each quarter away.
Tuition + Program Fee = K Comprehensive Fee
The program fee supports required academic, housing, insurance and program services. Specific inclusions differ by program and are described in the Hornet Passport program brochure.
| 2026–27 charges | One quarter | Two quarters | Three quarters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $21,755 | $43,510 | $65,265 |
| Program fee | $4,601 | $9,202 | $13,803 |
| Total Comprehensive Fee | $26,356 | $52,712 | $79,068 |
Three-quarter programs are currently available only through Study Abroad. Rates are updated annually.
Two-quarter programs: Students are billed for three K units in each of the two quarters, even when the program calendar does not align exactly with K’s academic calendar.
What does the fee cover?
The program brochure is the definitive source for what is included in a particular program. In general, the Comprehensive Fee supports the following:
Study Abroad
- Academic tuition and required program fees
- Program administration and academic support
- Program housing while classes are in session
- Meals or a meal allowance, when specified in the program brochure
- International health insurance, including medical evacuation and repatriation coverage
Housing and meal arrangements differ by program. Consult the program brochure for specific inclusions.
Study Away
- Tuition for three K units per quarter
- Program administration and academic support
- Program housing, as described in the program brochure
One-quarter programs: Meals are not included. Students are responsible for groceries and dining expenses.
Two-quarter programs: Students receive a meal stipend. The amount and distribution schedule are listed in the program brochure.
How financial aid applies
Kalamazoo College financial aid, scholarships and grants can generally be applied to the student-account balance for approved Study Abroad and Study Away programs.
Your actual billed and out-of-pocket costs depend on your financial aid package, program length, program choice and additional expenses. The Financial Aid Office can help you understand:
- How institutional, federal and state aid will apply
- Whether additional loans or payment arrangements are available
- How participation affects work-study earnings
- Your anticipated student-account balance
- Important billing and payment dates
Work-study: Students cannot earn campus work-study wages while participating in an off-campus program. Some students with work-study in their financial aid package may be eligible for a CIP Work-Study Replacement Award. Eligibility and award amounts vary and will be communicated to qualifying students. Include any remaining loss of work-study earnings in your budget.
Additional costs to plan for
The K Comprehensive Fee does not cover every expense. Actual costs depend on the location, program length, housing and meal structure, transportation and personal spending.
Common expenses
- Round-trip transportation and baggage fees
- Books, printing, supplies or required equipment
- Local transportation
- Meals not included by the program
- Phone and data plans
- Laundry and personal-care items
- Entertainment and personal travel
- Personal property or renters insurance
- Emergency or unexpected expenses
Additional Study Abroad expenses
- Passport fees
- Visa and residence-permit fees
- Travel to a consulate or embassy
- Required or recommended immunizations
- Physical exams, X-rays or medical tests
- Travel to and from the designated U.S. departure airport
- Currency-exchange and international banking fees
Do not rely only on the Comprehensive Fee when comparing programs. Review the estimated additional expenses in each Hornet Passport brochure and consider the cost of living in the program location. You can organize these expenses with the off-campus study cost estimator.
Funding available through the CIP
The CIP administers several forms of funding to help eligible students manage the cost of preparing for and participating in off-campus study. Eligibility depends on financial need, the student’s financial aid package, program type and the requirements of each award.
Funding is limited and may not cover the full amount of an expense. Students receive additional information about applicable awards during the application, acceptance or predeparture process.
Passport Funding
Kalamazoo College students with demonstrated financial need, based on FAFSA information, may qualify for the CIP to pay required U.S. passport application fees.
Fill out the form below to see if you’re eligible!
Please Login to use this form.
International Airfare Funding
Eligible Study Abroad students may receive assistance covering a portion of required round-trip international airfare. Eligibility and award limits are determined using information from Financial Aid and communicated in the student’s award letter.
If the CIP arranges the flight, the airfare charge and funding credit are applied to the student’s K account. Any remaining airfare cost is the student’s responsibility.
Important Information for Heyl Scholarship Recipient: The Heyl scholarship WILL COVER 100% of air for approved study abroad programs.
Airfare Funding FAQs
Am I eligible for airfare funding?
If you are eligible for Airfare Funding as determined by the Financial Aid Office, you would have received a letter with additional information from the CIP as part of your acceptance packet.
Students must have submitted a FAFSA for the current academic year in order to be considered for any study abroad funding through the CIP. The FAFSA provides each student with an “Student Aid Index” (SAI).
How much is the Airfare Funding?
Depending on your need (as determined by the Financial aid office), and/or if you have the Heyl or Posse scholarship, it varies. The awarded dollar limit and percentage limit will be noted in your airfare funding award letter. The award letter is part of your acceptance packet.
- If your EFC is less than $17,000, you will receive airfare funding to cover 100% of your international airfare.
- If your EFC is $17,000-$35,000, you will receive airfare funding to cover 70% of your international airfare.
- Students whose EFC is above $35,000 do not qualify for airfare funding.
- Heyl &Posse scholarship recipients qualify for 100% of your international airefare, regardless of EFC.
What travel costs does the Airfare Funding cover?
The Airfare Funding covers a percentage of the cost, up to a specified dollar amount, of your international round-trip air travel for study abroad from a designated U.S. port of departure. If you are an International student, please contact the CIP regarding your departure and return.
Does the Airfare Funding cover domestic transportation or airfare to the designated port of departure?
No. The Airfare Funding does not cover any of the cost of your domestic travel or airfare to the designated port of departure.
Who reserves my international transportation?
If you choose to accept the Airfare Funding, Kalamazoo College, via its travel agent, will book your round-trip international transportation for you. The exceptions are: Israel (both programs); CET Beijing, China programs; and the Waseda, Japan programs. For these programs, you will be contacted directly by the program provider.
How is my Airfare Funding applied to the cost of my airfare?
The portion of the international air fare that is left over after the funding has been applied will be a charge on your student account. The cost of the international airfare will be charged to your student account and then the Airfare Funding will be credited to your student account immediately afterwards. Due to federal regulations and college policy, we are unable to issue any funds (such as a check or cash) directly to the student
When will the Airfare Funding be credited to my student account?
After the cost of the international airfare is charged to your student account.
What if my airfare funding does not cover the total cost of my round-trip international airfare?
The portion of the international airfare that is left over after the funding has been applied will be a charge on your student account.
Work-Study Replacement Award
Eligible students who cannot earn their anticipated campus work-study wages while participating in an approved off-campus program may receive a Work-Study Replacement Award.
Eligibility and award amounts are based on the student’s financial aid package and available funding. The award may replace some, but not necessarily all, anticipated work-study earnings. Qualifying students will receive additional information from the CIP or Financial Aid.
Supplemental Funding Abroad
Supplemental Funding Abroad, or SFA, provides additional assistance to eligible high-need students participating in approved Study Abroad programs.
Students may apply after being officially accepted to a K Program or K Partner Program. This funding cannot be used to pay the study abroad bill.
Students must have a cleared K student account before funds can be disbursed.
See our SFA donors
Donors include Ambassador Martha Larzelere Campbell and Consul General Arnold H. Campbell, Robert Kopecky, Eugene and Joann Bissell, Stephen and Deborah Haughey, Louise Mae Stein Matulis, Charles and Helen Mickens, Richard Stavig, Jim and Deanna Tiefenthal, Stephanie Teasley and Thomas Finholt, The Class of 1983, The Class of 1982 and the Class of 1969. We are grateful to our donors as they allow us to offer these SFA awards.
Important: Eligibility and award amounts vary. Students should not make nonrefundable purchases or financial commitments based on anticipated funding until the award has been officially confirmed.
Outside scholarships for Study Abroad
External organizations offer additional scholarships for eligible Study Abroad students. Deadlines may occur months before the program begins, so begin researching early.
Gilman Scholarship
Funding for eligible U.S. undergraduate students who receive a Federal Pell Grant.
Boren Awards
Funding for eligible U.S. students studying languages and world regions considered important to U.S. interests.
Fund for Education Abroad
Scholarships and support for students with demonstrated financial need who are traditionally underrepresented in Study Abroad.
Additional awards may be available based on program provider, destination, field of study, language, identity or financial need. Always verify current eligibility, award amounts and deadlines with the scholarship organization.
Billing, payment and withdrawal
- Comprehensive Fee charges appear on the student’s Kalamazoo College account.
- Payments follow the College’s regular billing schedule.
- Students are responsible for monitoring and paying their K account balance while away.
- Accounts and required program fees must be cleared before departure.
- Nonpayment may jeopardize continued participation in the program.
- Withdrawing after confirming participation may result in a $300 withdrawal charge and responsibility for nonrefundable expenses already paid on the student’s behalf. Contact the CIP and Financial Aid before withdrawing to understand the academic and financial consequences.
Questions about cost or financial aid?
The CIP can explain program inclusions, funding processes and program-specific expenses. The Financial Aid Office can explain how your individual aid package will apply and help estimate your student-account balance.
Program and funding questions
Contact the Center for International Programs about program costs, billing, and CIP funding.
Your individual aid package
Contact Financial Aid about grants, scholarships, loans, FAFSA information and your anticipated balance.