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Program Budget Sheets

SIT South Africa: International Relations in the Global South


Budget Sheet for Spring 2024

Total Estimated Cost to Study Abroad: $38,232

Cost to remain at Vanderbilt: $44,795

The estimated total cost includes all aspects of the study abroad experience. Tuition, housing, meals, airfare, visa fees, books/supplies, local transportation, and personal expenses are included in this estimate. These fees may be paid to Vanderbilt or to third parties; see the estimates for each of these categories below.

This program is estimated to cost $6,563 less than a semester on campus at Vanderbilt.

Fees Paid to Vanderbilt University

Students pay Vanderbilt tuition for each term abroad (read more). Fees paid to Vanderbilt University will be typically be billed according to the Office of Student Account's regular schedule for the term. Any Vanderbilt financial aid you normally receive will be automatically applied to your account, as it is when you are on campus (except for work study, which cannot be used abroad).

Tuition $30,809
Program Fee $3,973
Administrative Fee $0
Total Paid to Vanderbilt $34,782

Estimated Out of Pocket Costs

These are the fees GEO estimates you will pay to parties other than Vanderbilt. These may be paid to the program partner, to airlines, foreign governments, retailers, and/or other parties.

Meals $0
Housing $0
Visa/Residence Permit $350
Books/Supplies $50
Local Transportation $0
Personal Expenses $1,500
Airfare $1,550
Total Paid Out of Pocket $3,450

Key Details

Included in fees paid to Vanderbilt University: SIT tuition fees are covered by your Vanderbilt tuition payment. The Vanderbilt program fee covers SIT's charges for housing and three meals per day. Vanderbilt's mandatory international health insurance is included in the program fee. Vanderbilt's Program Fee is subject to change and will always reflect the actual amount charged to us by our partners. This may result in additional credits or charges to your student account after the amount shown is billed. Please see the partner's currently published fees to check on the fees charged by the partner (start here).

Please note the following regarding the estimated out-of-pocket costs listed above:

  • The cost of Vanderbilt's mandatory health insurance coverage (GeoBlue) is included in the Program Fee paid to Vanderbilt. This cost is based on the length of the program and accounts for $241 of the listed Program Fee.
  • Visa costs and requirements may vary depending on your nationality.
  • Some students may be required to make a personal appearance at a consulate in order to secure their travel visa, and should budget both time and money for that in the months before they depart.
  • The estimate for personal expenses is based on the Vanderbilt campus Student Service Fees and Personal Costs estimates, with adjustments based on local cost of living, length of program, and exchange rates. This amount is expected to allow for entertainment and participation in cultural activities, but does not include extensive personal travel. Also included in GEO's personal expenses estimate is VU's standard estimate for maintaining health insurance in your home country in case of medical emergency.
  • Sites like numbeo.com can be useful for getting a sense of what common items and services cost in cities around the globe.
  • Students attending this program are required to have a smart phone that is able to accept a local SIM card, or must purchase such a phone locally; contact SIT with questions.
  • Airfare costs are highly variable and influenced by a number of factors, so we recommend making your own estimates based on your personal travel plans.
  • There may be predeparture costs associated with health checks, vaccination, prescriptions, etc. These costs will vary individually. Vaccinations that are required for entry into your host country or for participation on your program can be covered by financial aid.

In addition to the costs above, you should also maintain your health insurance coverage in your home country in case of medical emergency.

SIT South Africa: Social & Political Transformation


Budget Sheet for Fall 2023

Total Estimated Cost to Study Abroad: $37,816

Cost to remain at Vanderbilt: $44,359

The estimated total cost includes all aspects of the study abroad experience. Tuition, housing, meals, airfare, visa fees, books/supplies, local transportation, and personal expenses are included in this estimate. These fees may be paid to Vanderbilt or to third parties; see the estimates for each of these categories below.

This program is estimated to cost $6,543 less than a semester on campus at Vanderbilt.

Fees Paid to Vanderbilt University

Students pay Vanderbilt tuition for each term abroad (read more). Fees paid to Vanderbilt University will be typically be billed according to the Office of Student Account's regular schedule for the term. Any Vanderbilt financial aid you normally receive will be automatically applied to your account, as it is when you are on campus (except for work study, which cannot be used abroad).

Tuition $30,809
Program Fee $3,973
Administrative Fee $0
Total Paid to Vanderbilt $34,346

Estimated Out of Pocket Costs

These are the fees GEO estimates you will pay to parties other than Vanderbilt. These may be paid to the program partner, to airlines, foreign governments, retailers, and/or other parties.

Meals $0
Housing $0
Visa/Residence Permit $350
Books/Supplies $50
Local Transportation $0
Personal Expenses $1,470
Airfare $1,600
Total Paid Out of Pocket $3,470

Key Details

Included in fees paid to Vanderbilt University: SIT tuition fees are covered by your Vanderbilt tuition payment. The Vanderbilt program fee covers SIT's charges for housing and three meals per day. Vanderbilt's mandatory international health insurance is included in the program fee. Vanderbilt's Program Fee is subject to change and will always reflect the actual amount charged to us by our partners. This may result in additional credits or charges to your student account after the amount shown is billed. Please see the partner's currently published fees to check on the fees charged by the partner (start here).

Please note the following regarding the estimated out-of-pocket costs listed above:

  • The cost of Vanderbilt's mandatory health insurance coverage (GeoBlue) is included in the Program Fee paid to Vanderbilt. This cost is based on the length of the program and accounts for $241 of the listed Program Fee.
  • Visa costs and requirements may vary depending on your nationality.
  • Some students may be required to make a personal appearance at a consulate in order to secure their travel visa, and should budget both time and money for that in the months before they depart.
  • The estimate for personal expenses is based on the Vanderbilt campus Student Service Fees and Personal Costs estimates, with adjustments based on local cost of living, length of program, and exchange rates. This amount is expected to allow for entertainment and participation in cultural activities, but does not include extensive personal travel. Also included in GEO's personal expenses estimate is VU's standard estimate for maintaining health insurance in your home country in case of medical emergency.
  • Sites like numbeo.com can be useful for getting a sense of what common items and services cost in cities around the globe.
  • Students attending this program are required to have a smart phone that is able to accept a local SIM card, or must purchase such a phone locally; contact SIT with questions.
  • Airfare costs are highly variable and influenced by a number of factors, so we recommend making your own estimates based on your personal travel plans.
  • There may be predeparture costs associated with health checks, vaccination, prescriptions, etc. These costs will vary individually. Vaccinations that are required for entry into your host country or for participation on your program can be covered by financial aid.

In addition to the costs above, you should also maintain your health insurance coverage in your home country in case of medical emergency.

SIT South Africa: Social & Political Transformation


Budget Sheet for Spring 2023

Total Estimated Cost to Study Abroad: $35,585

Cost to remain at Vanderbilt: $42,196

The estimated total cost includes all aspects of the study abroad experience. Tuition, housing, meals, airfare, visa fees, books/supplies, local transportation, and personal expenses are included in this estimate. These fees may be paid to Vanderbilt or to third parties; see the estimates for each of these categories below.

This program is estimated to cost $6,611 less than a semester on campus at Vanderbilt.

Fees Paid to Vanderbilt University

Students pay Vanderbilt tuition for each term abroad (read more). Fees paid to Vanderbilt University will be typically be billed according to the Office of Student Account's regular schedule for the term. Any Vanderbilt financial aid you normally receive will be automatically applied to your account, as it is when you are on campus (except for work study, which cannot be used abroad).

Tuition $29,065
Program Fee $2,832
Administrative Fee $285
Total Paid to Vanderbilt $32,182

Estimated Out of Pocket Costs

These are the fees GEO estimates you will pay to parties other than Vanderbilt. These may be paid to the program partner, to airlines, foreign governments, retailers, and/or other parties.

Meals $0
Housing $0
Visa/Residence Permit $348
Books/Supplies $225
Local Transportation $0
Personal Expenses $1,280
Airfare $1,550
Total Paid Out of Pocket $3,403

Key Details

Included in fees paid to Vanderbilt University: SIT tuition fees are covered by your Vanderbilt tuition payment. The Vanderbilt program fee covers SIT's charges for housing and three meals per day. The administrative fee covers Vanderbilt's mandatory international health insurance. Vanderbilt's Program Fee is subject to change and will always reflect the actual amount charged to us by our partners. This may result in additional credits or charges to your student account after the amount shown is billed. Please see the partner's currently published fees to check on the fees charged by the partner (start here).

Please note the following regarding the estimated out-of-pocket costs listed above:

  • Visa costs and requirements may vary depending on your nationality.
  • Some students may be required to make a personal appearance at a consulate in order to secure their travel visa, and should budget both time and money for that in the months before they depart.
  • The estimate for personal expenses is based on the Vanderbilt campus Student Service Fees and Personal Costs estimates, with adjustments based on local cost of living, length of program, and exchange rates. This amount is expected to allow for entertainment and participation in cultural activities, but does not include extensive personal travel. Also included in GEO's personal expenses estimate is VU's standard estimate for maintaining health insurance in your home country in case of medical emergency.
  • Sites like numbeo.com can be useful for getting a sense of what common items and services cost in cities around the globe.
  • Students attending this program are required to have a smart phone that is able to accept a local SIM card, or must purchase such a phone locally; contact SIT with questions.
  • Airfare costs are highly variable and influenced by a number of factors, so we recommend making your own estimates based on your personal travel plans.
  • There may be predeparture costs associated with health checks, vaccination, prescriptions, etc. These costs will vary individually.

In addition to the costs above, you should also maintain your health insurance coverage in your home country in case of medical emergency.