Billing: Frequently Asked Questions 2024
WHY AM I BEING BILLED HOLY CROSS TUITION?
The College of the Holy Cross Study Abroad Program operates on a home tuition policy. Students on Holy Cross approved study abroad programs will remain continuously enrolled at Holy Cross while studying abroad. This allows students to receive Holy Cross credit for their courses abroad and grades will be on their Holy Cross transcript. The College of the Holy Cross is committed to making study abroad accessible for all qualified students. To do so, the College must offer need-based financial aid for students studying abroad and, accordingly, relies on tuition revenue to provide need-based financial aid. In addition, using the home tuition policy allows for federal financial aid to be applied to a student’s bill. The College also provides additional services such as cultural programming, onsite advisors, tutors, and a travel credit. Finally, for enrolled Holy Cross students, the Office of Study Abroad provides a full range of student support services and programming—from initial inquiry through pre-departure, support while abroad and when they return to campus. In other words, tuition dollars also cover the operating costs of the Office of Study Abroad.WHAT CHARGES WILL APPEAR ON MY HOLY CROSS BILL?
- All students will be charged Holy Cross home tuition and standard room charge. Board/meal plan will vary depending on program and accommodations from zero dollars (self-catering) to ¼, ½, ¾ or full board.
- All students receive a travel credit. The credit is a good faith estimate based on the cost of a round-trip flight from Boston to your host institution. This is a one-time credit. We do not account for travel home during the holidays or winter break. Once you are accepted by your host institution, you will receive an email with the amount of the travel credit. (This is not a reimbursement; it is a credit applied to your Holy Cross bill).
- All students will be billed a mandatory $215 fee per semester for GLOBAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE and international MEDICAL/TRAVEL INSURANCE provided by International SOS (ISOS) and Cigna Global Health/Lloyd’s Insurance (you will NOT be charged the Health Service fee). This fee is considerably less than the cost of the policy and is subsidized by Holy Cross.
- If a student is on campus at Holy Cross for one semester, you will get charged the Student Activity fee. If you are abroad for the academic year, you are not charged this fee.
EXPENSES STUDENTS MAY SUBMIT FOR REIMBURSEMENT
- All students may submit activity/club receipts for reimbursements ($200 max for students who study abroad for the academic year, $175 for students who study for one semester only). The reimbursement is for cultural and group activities that get you involved with your host community. Eligible fees for reimbursement include:
- Fees for joining a club/society/sports team on campus
- Fees for participating in a local cultural event or organization (upon approval from the Office of Study Abroad).
- Note: Gym fees are NOT refundable and reimbursement for travel is NOT refundable.
HOW DO I GET REIMBURSED?
- Fill out the student ACH form. This form in on the Study Abroad application portal (sa.holycross.edu) under "Billing: Frequently Asked Questions" in the left-hand navigation menu.
- Upload the ACH form, attach your receipts and email them to Tammi Valeri at tvaleri@holycross.edu.
WHAT ADDITIONAL EXPENSES I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR?
NOTE: You cannot expect to have the same amenities abroad as you have at Holy Cross. Each program has different components unique to each location.- All REFUNDABLE deposits (security/bond; this can be as high as $1,500 plus) but students receive the money back from the host institution if they keep their room in good order, return their key, etc.
- VISA/RESIDENCY FEES, including translations and health fees, if applicable
- AIRPORT TRANSPORTATION – this varies on location, some host institutions provide
- LOCAL TRANSPORTATION
- MEALS, if not on meal plan
- BOOKS
- PERSONAL EXPENSES (including bedding and kitchen supplies)
- ENTERTAINMENT
- LAUNDRY
- PRINTING FEES
- PACKING EXPENSES OR STORAGE FEES FOR PERSONAL BELONGINGS
- COVID-19 TESTING
FINANCIAL AID
The determination of your financial aid eligibility for studying abroad on a Holy Cross approved program is calculated the same as students who are living on campus. Your financial aid award is based on the standard cost of attendance. The College considers the standard cost of board when determining your financial aid award even if you are not directly billed for it on your student account. If you and/or your family are financing your education with loans, you should consider the total cost of attendance when determining the amount of loan you are requesting. The cost of attendance for 2024-2025 includes tuition, fees, room and board, books, supplies and personal expenses. To review the specific costs, please go to: https://www.holycross.edu/admissions-aid/tuition-fees.If you are awarded scholarships from sources external to Holy Cross, for example, a study abroad partner university, you must report the scholarship to the Financial Aid Office. Financial Aid will then determine how the scholarship is applied to your Holy Cross bill.
Should you have specific questions regarding your financial aid award, please contact the Holy Cross Financial Aid Office at 508-793-2265 or via email at financialaid@holycross.edu.
TIPS AND ADVICE
- Talk to a student that has studied abroad
- Use a cost of living calculator: https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/
- Create a budget: download an app
- Seek out student discounts
- Participate in cultural activities on your program or at your university
- Hang out with like minded students with similar budget as yours
- Don't travel every weekend
- Don't eat out every day, shop for groceries and make your own meals
- Get a credit card with no foreign transaction fees
- The ATM is the best way to get cash abroad. Check with your bank to make sure your ATM card can be used in foreign countries, and to find out what your bank charges for international ATM withdrawals.
- When using your credit or ATM card, always choose the currency in the country you are in. You will generally receive a better currency rate.
- You will need a 4-digit pin for most transactions using a credit card