Office of Study Abroad

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Billing for Off-Campus Study

Students can expect to pay two bills during a study abroad semester: Brandeis University charges and study abroad program charges.

*Information on this page is specific to students interested in semester or year programs abroad. Read more about summer finances here.

Brandeis Charges During a Study Abroad Semester

For each semester abroad, a student's Brandeis University account will be charged the following:

Brandeis University Tuition and Required Student Fees (mandatory): $33,541 per semester (current rate for 2024-25).
International Sickness and Accident Insurance (if not provided by the program): All Brandeis University students who participate in an approved study abroad program must ensure they obtain coverage from a comprehensive international sickness and accident insurance plan. Many programs will automatically enroll students in a comprehensive plan. Students enrolled in an approved program that does not provide comprehensive international sickness and accident insurance coverage will be required to enroll in the Brandeis CISI insurance plan at a cost of $43/month.
Brandeis University Qualifying Student Health Insurance Plan (QSHIP) Insurance (if applicable): If you normally are enrolled in this plan when you are on the Brandeis campus, you will also need this coverage when you are abroad. If you are not enrolled in this plan because you have outside insurance coverage (through your parents, etc.), you will need to fill out the Insurance Waiver before you depart for your program, as you do every year. More information about this insurance can be found on the Health Center's website.

Room and board will not be on your Brandeis bill.

Study Abroad Program Charges

For each semester, students will be billed some or all of the following charges from their study abroad program. All study abroad programs are different and you should check with your program for site-specific information. Some programs do not arrange for all of the below (like flights) and you may have to arrange them independently.

program deposit*
room and board
flights
insurance
books
visa, entry and exit taxes, passport fees
local transportation

*Most programs will require a deposit confirm your intent to participate. In most cases, this deposit will be applied to your abroad housing bill. Please check with your program directly regarding this matter.

Brandeis Payments to Study Abroad Programs

During an approved off-campus study semester, Brandeis University will pay the tuition and academic charges to the study abroad program, on the student's behalf.

Please note that for programs that list a "program fee" as their only charge, Brandeis will only be paying for the tuition and academic portion of that fee. Please contact the study abroad program directly if you are not sure what is included in their "program fee," and they will provide more detail. These programs will send a bill with the tuition and academic charges to Brandeis.

If you have been approved by Brandeis to study abroad and have received a bill including tuition or an academic fee from your study abroad program, you should inform your program that the Brandeis Office of Study Abroad should be billed for that portion of your fees.

Please contact the Office of Study Abroad with any questions about this payment process.

Insurance Information

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Information on CISI

All Brandeis University students who participate on an approved study abroad program must ensure they obtain coverage from a comprehensive international sickness and accident insurance plan. Many programs will automatically enroll students in a comprehensive plan. Students enrolled in an approved program that does not provide comprehensive international sickness and accident insurance coverage will automatically be enrolled in the Brandeis CISI insurance plan. Brandeis CISI insurance is optional for summer study abroad students — they should contact the Office of Study Abroad for more information on how to enroll.

We recommend that students studying abroad who extend their stay beyond the stated program length purchase additional coverage from CISI to cover the complete length of their time abroad. This additional coverage can be purchased on the CISI website.

Brandeis CISI Insurance Frequently Asked Questions:

What does the insurance cover?
Please contact abroad@brandeis.edu to request the full policy details.

What if I already have insurance through my family, the Brandeis University campus plan, or my study abroad program provides insurance?
All students who study abroad must have adequate international sickness and accident insurance. We are committed to ensuring that all students have comprehensive coverage while abroad and that they will be able to receive good medical care should the need arise. If Brandeis University determines that your program does not provide comprehensive international sickness and accident coverage, you will be required to purchase the Brandeis CISI insurance plan. The CISI plan is a comprehensive plan designed for study abroad students. We cannot evaluate individual or family insurance plans to determine if they meet similar standards.

How much does the insurance cost?
If required, you will be billed $43 (as of 2024-2025) per month for the duration of your approved academic program.

How will I be billed for this insurance?
The cost for the CISI insurance will be billed to your Brandeis University account during the regular billing cycles (July & November). Students studying abroad for the full year on one program will be billed in full in July.

Other Insurance Considerations

Maintaining U.S. Coverage
You must retain your U.S. health insurance, even while overseas. This will cover you both before you leave and after you return from your program. Should you have an accident or illness overseas that requires long-term care, you will have insurance upon your return to cover these expenses. Please also note that since you will be a full-time Brandeis student while you are abroad, the same insurance regulations that affect you while you are in Waltham will still apply. Please see the University Bulletin or contact the Health Center at 781-736-3677 for more details. Keep in mind that if you have special insurance needs, or if you plan any travel before, during or after the program, you are responsible for obtaining appropriate coverage.

Travel/ Personal Property Insurance
We strongly encourage you to obtain insurance against theft and/or damage to your personal effects for the period of time you will be abroad. Most programs do not provide insurance for your possessions. Your family's homeowner's insurance or rental insurance may provide coverage.