Due to a recent investigation of the study abroad industry conducted by the New York State attorney general’s office, universities across the country are scrambling to prove the legality of their study abroad programs.
At Washington University, students planning to go abroad are concerned about the costs of the programs. While students are usually guaranteed to pay the same tuition while abroad, this is not always the case.
“I really don’t think it is ever the case that it is truly the same amount,” said senior Tony Lett, who studied at King’s College in London last semester. “I definitely think Wash. U. makes a profit off students going abroad. At the time, paying top dollar didn’t really bother me. This was my only time in London so I was going to make the most of it.”
After hearing about a friend’s unfortunate tuition experience at another school, junior Molly Sandler admitted being cautious when she goes abroad to Chile. Sandler plans to study at the Pontificia Universidad Catolicade de Chile next semester.
“I have a friend [who] went abroad through another school other than her own and she got ripped off because that school’s tuition is cheaper,” said Sandler. “She had to pay regular tuition even though it was more expensive.”
According to Priscilla Stone, director of overseas programs in the school of arts and sciences, University tuition is charged to all students on approved programs for which University credit is granted.
“By charging all students Washington University tuition rates we provide greater clarity for parents and students, eliminate concerns related to foreign exchange rates, minimize financial incentives in the choice of study abroad programs and emphasize academic priorities,” said Stone. “This payment arrangement guarantees that whatever financial assistance or aid the student receives from Washington University will continue to apply wherever they study.”
Currently, other American universities operate several study abroad programs offered to university students. For example, Duke University manages a consortium of schools that sends students to China.
According to Stone, students will never pay another university tuition other than Washington University.
“If a study abroad program’s tuition is higher than Washington University tuition, students are charged Washington University tuition and not the higher external rate,” said Stone. “Conversely, any difference in what we pay as tuition to the foreign program providers reverts to Washington University and is used to help recover administrative costs required to provide faculty oversight and student services for our programs abroad.”
Sandler, however, remains aware of possible discrepancies that may arise when she receives her tuition bill.
“I think that it is probably more expensive [to study abroad through Washington University] than doing it on my own,” said Sandler. “But Wash. U. also absorbs some of the other costs along the way.”
Although Lett was originally angered by this procedure, he later understood the reasoning behind the University’s procedure.