When considering whether to apply to an exchange program, one of your top priorities should be planning your finances. A carefully planned budget will allow you to make an informed decision about whether you can afford to study abroad and will help ensure that you can enjoy the educational, personal, and career enhancing experiences without adding financial worries that will have an impact on your studies after you return.
The cost of studying abroad varies considerably from program to program. Likewise, the amount and kinds of funding available are different depending on the program. When calculating how much an exchange will cost, students should include the cost of tuition, visas and study permits housing, air-fare, local travel, food, incidentals, and short-term medical insurance. Travel, accommodation, and other living expenses differ widely from city to city. Students may consult travel guides, past exchange students and their host organization for destination-specific information.
Funding Sources
- Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)
OSAP is available if your exchange program is for academic credit and is longer than 12 weeks. If you are not from Ontario, check with your provincial government’s student loan program.
The dates of your study period on your OSAP application must reflect the academic schedule at the host institution, not Osgoode’s term dates. Students may need to complete separate OSAP applications for terms at Osgoode and terms on exchange.
Students are advised to apply as early as possible as OSAP problems are difficult to solve once outside the country. Students who submit their applications by June 30 will have their tuition due date deferred from September 10 to October 10.
If you will not be here to pick up your OSAP funds, and wish to have another person (parents, friends) do so on your behalf, you must authorize a designated party to do the paperwork for you. The steps are:- Complete the Third Party Access Permission Form – this allows staff to release the appropriate student loan forms to your designated party.
- If you are authorizing your designate to sign the loan documents on your behalf, you must complete two Power of Attorney Forms:
- The Ontario Power of Attorney form for your Ontario Student Loan
- The HRSDC Power of Attorney for the Canada Student Loan portion of your entitlement
- If you are from another province, you need to present the same documents. Instead of filling the Ontario Power of Attorney form, submit your province's Power of Attorney form. Please visit CanLearn and your province's student loan website for more details.
- Osgoode Bursaries
Students paying tuition at Osgoode during their exchange may apply for bursaries through the Osgoode Bursary Program.
The Osgoode Bursary Program has a single application deadline in September. If abroad for the fall term, students should ensure they complete and submit their application and supporting documentation prior to their departure.
Letter of permission and summer program students pay tuition to their host institution and are not eligible for Osgoode bursaries for that period. Students on exchange for a single term may apply to the Osgoode Bursary Program for the term they study at Osgoode.
- York International Mobility Award (YIMA)
YIMA is a needs-based award intended to offset part of the cost of airfare. Applications are received at the York International office on an ongoing basis.
Program Costs and Available Funding at a Glance:
- Osgoode and York Semester Exchanges
Costs: Osgoode Tuition plus destination-specific travel and living costs.
Funding: Students may apply for OSAP, Osgoode Bursaries, and York International Mobility Awards (YIMA).
- Letter of Permission
Costs: Host University tuition (varies widely), plus travel and living costs.
Funding: Students may apply for OSAP, and may be eligible for bursaries from the host institution. Because they are not paying tuition at Osgoode, LOP students are not eligible for Osgoode bursaries or YIMA.
- Osgoode Summer Programs
Costs: Program-specific tuition plus travel and living costs.
Funding: Students may apply for the YIMA. Osgoode’s bursary funding is not available for the summer period, and OSAP funding is only available if your program is longer than 12 weeks.
- Teach in China
Costs: Travel and living expenses
Funding: Southwest University pays for the flights to and from China, provides housing, and pays a wage of about $600 Canadian.
- International Legal Partnership Fellowships
Costs: Travel and living expenses
Funding: ILP fellowships are largely self-funded. Fellows may apply for YIMA and ILP Fellowship Grants.
- Ian Scott Public Interest Internships
Costs: Travel and living expenses
Funding: The Ian Scott program provides funding of up to $10,000
- York International Internships
Costs: Travel and living expenses
Funding: Successful applicants are automatically awarded the York International Internship Award (worth $3000). Interns may also apply for YIMA.