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Program Budget Sheets

University of Cape Town (CIEE)


Budget Sheet for Spring 2024

Total Estimated Cost to Study Abroad: $41,844

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 $2,951 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 $4,730
Administrative Fee $0
Total Paid to Vanderbilt $35,539

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 $2,000
Housing $0
Visa/Residence Permit $500
Books/Supplies $335
Local Transportation $500
Personal Expenses $1,470
Airfare $1,500
Total Paid Out of Pocket $6,305

Key Details

Included in fees paid to Vanderbilt University: IFSA-Butler tuition is covered by your Vanderbilt tuition payment. The Vanderbilt program fee covers IFSA's charges for housing (no meals) and international health insurance. Note that some housing and meal plan options may carry additional fees. 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:

  • Meals estimate reflects the dormitory and off-campus apartment housing options. Students doing homestay only need to budget for lunches during the week, estimated at $700 per semester.
  • Students who attend CIEE programs for the full academic year are expected to move out of CIEE housing during the break between the fall and spring semesters. Be sure to consider any potential costs you might incur because of this! Contact CIEE with questions.
  • Students who opt into CIEE Select or Select Plus housing will be billed directly by CIEE for the additional housing charges.
  • Visa fees are included in your program fee; the estimated personal visa expense listed is for travel to make a personal appearance at a South African consulate in the US, if required by your consular district.
  • 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 $301 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.

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

University of Cape Town (CIEE)


Budget Sheet for Fall 2023

Total Estimated Cost to Study Abroad: $41,106

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 $3,253 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 $4,383
Administrative Fee $0
Total Paid to Vanderbilt $34,756

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 $2,000
Housing $0
Visa/Residence Permit $500
Books/Supplies $280
Local Transportation $550
Personal Expenses $1,570
Airfare $1,450
Total Paid Out of Pocket $6,350

Key Details

Included in fees paid to Vanderbilt University: IFSA-Butler tuition is covered by your Vanderbilt tuition payment. The Vanderbilt program fee covers IFSA's charges for housing (no meals) and international health insurance. Note that some housing and meal plan options may carry additional fees. 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:

  • Meals estimate reflects the dormitory and off-campus apartment housing options. Students doing homestay only need to budget for lunches during the week, estimated at $700 per semester.
  • Students who attend CIEE programs for the full academic year are expected to move out of CIEE housing during the break between the fall and spring semesters. Be sure to consider any potential costs you might incur because of this! Contact CIEE with questions.
  • Visa fees are included in your program fee; the estimated personal visa expense listed is for travel to make a personal appearance at a South African consulate in the US, if required by your consular district.
  • 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 $301 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.

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

University of Cape Town (CIEE)


Budget Sheet for Spring 2023

Total Estimated Cost to Study Abroad: $39,072

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 $3,124 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 $3,917
Administrative Fee $285
Total Paid to Vanderbilt $33,267

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 $1,650
Housing $0
Visa/Residence Permit $625
Books/Supplies $100
Local Transportation $500
Personal Expenses $1,480
Airfare $1,450
Total Paid Out of Pocket $5,805

Key Details

Included in fees paid to Vanderbilt University: IFSA-Butler tuition is covered by your Vanderbilt tuition payment. The Vanderbilt program fee covers IFSA's charges for housing (no meals) and international health insurance. Note that some housing and meal plan options may carry additional fees. 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:

  • Meals estimate reflects the dormitory and off-campus apartment housing options. Students doing homestay only need to budget for lunches during the week, estimated at $660 per semester.
  • Students who attend CIEE programs for the full academic year are expected to move out of CIEE housing during the break between the fall and spring semesters. Be sure to consider any potential costs you might incur because of this! Contact CIEE with questions.
  • Visa fees are included in your program fee; the estimated personal visa expense listed is for travel to make a personal appearance at a South African consulate in the US, if required by your consular district.
  • 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.

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