General Description
Policy Summary:
This policy addresses financial aid eligibility and billing procedures for students participating in approved study abroad/away programs.
Purpose:
3The purpose of this policy is to:
- Outline the financial responsibilities of students studying abroad/away.
- Define the eligibility requirements for applying for institutional, federal, and state aid to study abroad/away programs.
- Clarify the benefits of participation in approved programs and the limitations for non-approved programs.
- Provide guidance on cost, out-of-pocket expenses, and grant opportunities for short-term international experiences.
- Establish withdrawal procedures and ensure compliance with University and partner program policies.
Scope:
This policy applies to all undergraduate students participating in study abroad/away programs during their enrollment at Trinity University. It outlines financial responsibilities, billing practices, eligibility for
financial aid, program withdrawal procedures, and distinctions between approved, non-approved, and short- term programs.
financial aid, program withdrawal procedures, and distinctions between approved, non-approved, and short- term programs.
Policy Content
Trinity recognizes two types of approved semester or yearlong study abroad/away programs: (1) programs led by Trinity University faculty and (2) programs offered by other institutions on Trinity’s Study Abroad/Away Partner List.
All Trinity students who are studying abroad/away on an approved program will be responsible for paying the costs associated with attending Trinity for that semester. When a student enrolls in an approved program from the Study Abroad/Away Partner List, the program will bill Trinity directly. The following charges will appear on the billing statement issued by Trinity to the student:
Students are responsible for budgeting for additional out-of-pocket expenses such as round-trip airfare, passport and/or visa fees, elective program costs (e.g., optional excursions), required immunizations (if applicable), books, cellular phone service, independent travel, miscellaneous program fees, as well as personal expenses.
- Trinity Tuition
- Housing (Traditional Shared Housing Rate)
- Meal Plan ( Silver Meal Plan rate)
- Student Health Insurance*
- Tuition Refund Plan*
Students are responsible for budgeting for additional out-of-pocket expenses such as round-trip airfare, passport and/or visa fees, elective program costs (e.g., optional excursions), required immunizations (if applicable), books, cellular phone service, independent travel, miscellaneous program fees, as well as personal expenses.
Institutional, federal and state financial aid can be applied to study abroad/away costs when students participate in Trinity University Semester Abroad/Away programs or approved programs on Trinity’s Study Abroad/Away Partner List. Institutional aid may be used for a maximum of two semesters abroad/away during a student’s undergraduate career.
Trinity students who study abroad/away on an approved program benefit from the support of University offices, including:
- Retaining current enrollment status (e.g., maintaining access to Trinity’s online library holdings, computer networks and software programs, T-mail account, the ability to participate in course registration from abroad, housing selection, etc.)
- Assurance of transfer credit according to University policies
- Comprehensive health and safety support
- International insurance coverage
- Pre-departure advising, program selection, and application assistance
- Re-entry resources upon return to campus
- Standard in-country housing
- In-country board (a meal allowance will be issued if meals are not provided by the program)
- The ability to utilize institutional financial aid
- The opportunity to settle billed costs through a University payment plan
While studying abroad/away, students are subject to the University’s withdrawal policies and guidelines. Students are required to inform the Center for International Engagement (CIE) in writing when their intent to withdraw from their study abroad/away program is known.
Students who elect to study abroad/away on a program that is not approved by Trinity University do not retain the approved program benefits outlined above (1-10)and should apply for a temporary withdrawal. Students may submit a request to transfer appropriate credit(s) to
Trinity upon their return.Please see the Study Abroad/Away Office for details.
Trinity upon their return.Please see the Study Abroad/Away Office for details.
Trinity currently offers a variety of courses that include a short-term international experience. These are known as “Beyond the Classroom” courses. These courses include instruction during the fall or spring semester as well as a travel component that takes place during the semester and/or within three weeks of the start or end of a semester.
A course fee will be assessed to address the costs associated with participating in the international travel component. It will be noted in the course materials whether the course fee includes the cost of round-trip airfare. Students are responsible for budgeting for additional
out-of-pocket expenses that may be associated with participation, such as passport and/or visa
fees, immunizations, as well as personal expenses. Students with demonstrated financial need
may apply to the Center for International Engagement for a CIE Participation Grant to be
applied toward summer tuition expenses.
A course fee will be assessed to address the costs associated with participating in the international travel component. It will be noted in the course materials whether the course fee includes the cost of round-trip airfare. Students are responsible for budgeting for additional
out-of-pocket expenses that may be associated with participation, such as passport and/or visa
fees, immunizations, as well as personal expenses. Students with demonstrated financial need
may apply to the Center for International Engagement for a CIE Participation Grant to be
applied toward summer tuition expenses.
Trinity currently offers students a variety of international programs that take place during the summer semester. A program fee will be charged to students who enroll in these courses that is equivalent to tuition. In most cases, this program fee includes all costs associated with students’ participation, including round-trip airfare, lodging, board, an international cell phone, in-country travel, and instructional costs.*
*Students are responsible for budgeting for incidental out-of-pocket expenses that may be associated with participation, such as passport and/or visa fees, required immunizations, as well as personal expenses. Students with demonstrated financial need may apply to the Center for International Engagement for a Participation Grant to be applied toward summer tuition expenses.
*Students are responsible for budgeting for incidental out-of-pocket expenses that may be associated with participation, such as passport and/or visa fees, required immunizations, as well as personal expenses. Students with demonstrated financial need may apply to the Center for International Engagement for a Participation Grant to be applied toward summer tuition expenses.
Students are eligible to receive one CIE Participation Grant to enable participation in a “Beyond the Classroom” course or a Trinity Summer Abroad program. Grants will be awarded based on demonstrated financial need and may only be used for programs operated by Trinity University.
To apply students are required to submit the CSS Profile to Student Financial Services. More information about submitting this application can be found at gotu.us/applyforaid.
To apply students are required to submit the CSS Profile to Student Financial Services. More information about submitting this application can be found at gotu.us/applyforaid.
While studying abroad, students are subject to the University’s withdrawal policies and guidelines. Students are required to inform the Center for International Engagement (CIE) in
writing when their intent to withdraw from their “Beyond the Classroom” course or Trinity
Summer Abroad program is known..
writing when their intent to withdraw from their “Beyond the Classroom” course or Trinity
Summer Abroad program is known..
Students who elect to study abroad on a short-term program that is not approved by Trinity University may petition to transfer academic credits in accordance with the transfer credit policy upon their return to Trinity. Please see the Study Abroad Office for details. Students who participate in a non-approved program may not use federal, state, or institutional financial aid to meet program costs.
The staff in Student Financial Services is happy to assist you with any further questions you may have regarding the financing of study abroad opportunities. We can be reached at 210-999-8898, or e-mail studentfinancialservices@trinity.edu.
Terms & Definitions
Terms and Definitions:
|
Term: |
Definition: |
|---|---|
| Approved Program | A semester or yearlong study abroad/away program listed on the University's Study Abroad Partner List and approved by the Center for International Engagement. |
| Approved Program Benefits | University services retained by students enrolled in an approved program, including access to online resources, course registration, housing selection, health and safety support, and international insurance. |
| Non-Approved Program | A study abroad program not recognized as an approved partner program by Trinity University; participants are not eligible for federal, state, or institutional aid or enrollment benefits. |
| Beyond the Classroom Courses | Trinity courses with a short-term international component that takes during the semester or within three weeks of its start or end. |
| Trinity Summer Abroad Programs | International programs operated by Trinity during the summer term, generally including airfare, lodging, meals, in-country travel, and instructional costs in the program fee. |
| Center for International Engagement (CIE) Participation Grant | A need-based award available once during a student's undergraduate career to offset costs of a Beyond the Classroom course or Trinity Summer Abroad program. |
| Institutional Aid | Scholarships, grants, and other funding provided by Trinity University; may be used for a maximum of two semesters for an approved study abroad/away program. |
| Program Withdrawal | Formal departure from a study abroad/away program prior to program completion, which must be communicated in writing to the Center for International Engagement; subject to University withdrawal policies. |
Revision Management
Revision History Log:
|
Revision #: |
Date: |
Recorded By: |
|---|---|---|
| v1.2 | 9/12/2025 8:17 AM | Pamela Mota |
| v1.1 | 8/26/2025 11:15 AM | Pamela Mota |
| v1.0 | 8/6/2019 3:51 PM | Christina Pikla |
Vice President Approval:
|
Name: |
Title: |
|---|---|
| Eric Maloof | Vice President for Enrollment Management |