Travel Budgeting Tips
Making a financial plan now for your study abroad experience will help you live in the moment while you’re abroad. Explore these resources and learn about how much study abroad will cost you. Take the time to research your expenses; your resources, like scholarships and financial aid; and tips on how to save money before you go and once you’re abroad. Read more below for tools and tips to help you out!
Visit the USC Financial Aid Office
Start with our Finances – Cost, Aid, Scholarships page and the Financial Aid Office’s page on overseas programs to familiarize yourself with the process and deadlines.
Financial aid is repackaged after the commitment deadline (April for Fall programs, November for Spring programs).
Apply for Scholarships and Aid
There are tons of scholarships out there, you just need to find them.
Start with our scholarship page to check out individual scholarships as well as reputable scholarship databases.
Read Ahead
Take the time to learn about your host city and country from reputable sources. Not everyone that claims to be an expert is one!
Lonely Planet, Time Out and Rick Steves are great starting points. There are tons of free resources out there to learn from diverse perspectives.
Our advisors also have advice on airfare, packing, departure and arrival here.
Know the Program Costs
Your program page in the USC Student Travel Abroad portal has a “Finances” tab with a cost sheet detailing the estimated costs for your semester abroad.
“Billable” items are billed through USC.
“Non-billable” items are your responsibility to pay directly to the charging entity and are estimates subject to change.
Create a Budget
Based on the program’s cost sheet, it’s important to determine what you can afford.
Use the USC Financial Aid iGrad Budget tool to create a personalized budget.
Research Discounts
Discounts vary based on location, so it’s best to start local.
See if there are student deals on local transportations, movies, museums, theatre, or even your university’s student union.
Students living in your host city are likely also on a budget. Where do they shop, eat, and go out? Try to live more like a local student and less like a tourist.
Here are some tips from advisors on saving money while abroad.
You Don’t Have to Travel Every Weekend
Like many students going abroad for a full semester, Chi Truong felt the pressure to spend every weekend hopping around to different countries.
The key is to focus on quality over quantity. Pick places that excite you and give yourself the time to fully enjoy them. There’s no rule that says you have to do it all at once. Europe will still be here after your study abroad program ends, and future adventures will always be waiting.
