Study Abroad Financial Aid

Financial Aid

Financial aid recipients who study abroad for a semester or an academic year are eligible to receive financial aid during their time abroad.

In general, students who study abroad on a semester program are eligible to receive the same level of aid while abroad as they would if they were at Pitzer, with a few exceptions:

• Work-Study. While students are abroad, they are ineligible to work through Pitzer. Even remote work is not allowed. Thus, the work-study allotment is removed, and the student's remaining need is converted into a grant. This grant is not paid directly to the student. Instead, it is paid directly to the student's Pitzer Student Account at the start of the semester, thereby reducing their family’s bill or costs to Pitzer. Students who earn more than their work-study allotment each semester will notice a decrease in overall income when going abroad. Students who work but are not work-study recipients will lose the ability to earn money while abroad.
• Travel Contribution. Each semester, a student's cost of attendance includes an estimated cost for traveling to Pitzer, ranging from $50-$500, depending on their state of permanent residence. When a student studies abroad, this travel expense is removed from their cost of attendance and replaced by the $600 Study Abroad travel contribution. Only one travel contribution is considered throughout a student's time at Pitzer. Students who study abroad for more than one semester will not receive assistance for a second travel contribution.

Students should contact the Office of Financial Aid if they have questions about how study abroad and on-campus costs compare or if they have questions about how their aid applies. 

Financial aid for summer study abroad is available to help cover the comprehensive cost, which includes tuition, fees, housing, and meals. Students should consult with the Office of Financial Aid to explore summer aid options and determine what is available to them.