Out-of-Pocket Costs

The ISA is a stipend intended to cover a percentage of your program budget. Certain expenses, such as airfare and food, may cost more than the budgeted amount depending on individual student circumstances. Students should expect to cover a portion of their program-related costs even if they are on 100% aid. Even after careful planning and budgeting, please be aware that unexpected costs may arise.

Note: All students – even students with 100% need – should plan to contribute at least some of their own money toward program and related expenses. If you have specific required program expenses that are not included in your budget, please send documentation of these costs (e.g. a tuition bill or syllabus and link to purchase required texts) to ISA@yale.edu.

Personal Expenses

Generally speaking, the ISA cannot cover expenses that are not directly required to complete a student's summer experience. Expenses such as dry cleaning, air conditioners, business-appropriate attire and specialty shoes/clothing cannot be included in ISA budgets. Additionally, optional course expenses such as field trips and excursions not required to complete a course cannot be covered by ISA funding.

Yale Summer Session New Haven Expenses

Some Yale Summer Session Abroad programs have New Haven components. Students using their ISA to participate in Yale Summer Session programs abroad that begin in New Haven will be eligible for free on-campus housing and a meal plan for that period. This waiver of fees is not included in the calculation of ISA budgets.

Books and Course Materials

The ISA cannot cover general supplies such as notebooks and pens.

Students may petition for funding for books and materials marked required on their syllabi (e.g. art supplies marked required in a syllabus which must be purchased once abroad, such as large painting canvases). Remember that materials included in the program budget are already included in your ISA, so check before petitioning.

Other Costs Beyond the Stipend

The ISA is a stipend intended to cover set costs of program-related expenses. Certain expenses, such as airfare and food, may cost more than the budgeted amount depending on individual student circumstances. Students should expect to cover a portion of their program-related costs even if they are on 100% aid. 

Students participating in programs with program budgets in excess of the ISA cap amount should plan to cover the amount beyond the cap on their own or through other funding sources. Students who are not on 100% aid will need to plan to cover their funding shortfall out of pocket or through external funding.

The ISA is unable to cover program application fees.

Financial Literacy

Financial literacy is a useful skill that will help you live within your means while studying abroad. Please see the Yale Financial Literacy website to learn more about financial literacy, such as how to budget, managing credit cards, etc.