Study Abroad Program Costs and Payments

We pride ourselves on having an inclusive program fee that has no hidden costs. The price you see for your study abroad program includes:

• Tuition
  • Undergraduate semester: 12-18 credit hours
  • Undergraduate summer: 6 credit hours
  • Graduate summer: 3 credit hours per session
• Double occupancy room in an on-campus residence hall
• Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the campus cafeteria
• Textbook rental
• Wifi on campus and in living facilities
• Laundry tokens and soap
• Linens and towels (changed weekly)
• Housecleaning
• International travel insurance (including health and emergency evacuation). Coverage includes one travel day before and one after the designated program dates.
• Bus transportation to and from campus for program start and end (dependent on flight arrival time)
• Gourmet Italian meals at a fine-dining restaurant
  • Undergraduate semester: 3 meals
  • Undergraduate summer: 1 meal
  • Graduate summer: 1 meal per session
• Cultural exploration activities (excludes independent travel)
• Certificates and programs in leadership and personal development (undergraduate semester program only)
• Company tours

Personal expenses and airfare are not included in the cost of the program. However we will provide you with resources to help make smart financial decisions while abroad. It is worth noting that for students paying out-of-state or international student tuition rates at their home institution, it is often less expensive to attend CIMBA.

• Airfare
• Personal expenses
• Passport
• Study abroad fee charged by your home institution
• Incidentals from visiting the campus nurse (bandaids, medication, etc.)
• Some small fees charged for pizza making, gelato making, etc. (cost of food)
• Independent travel in Europe
• $40 non-refundable University of Iowa fee at time of application

We pride ourselves on having an inclusive program that has no hidden costs.

Please note: students are expected to live in the dormitory on campus and have a meal plan. All fees are mandatory.

CIMBA uses the University of Iowa billing system, called the U-Bill, via the MyUI Student Information System. Upon acceptance, you will receive instructions on how to access and pay your U-Bill. Some universities have special billing arrangements with CIMBA so remember to visit the CIMBA and Your University page to identify exceptions and special procedures that may apply based on your home university.

The payment schedule is as follows:
Application fee: $40 non-refundable fee paid at the time of application (non-UI students only)
Initial payment: $500 due within two weeks of commitment (Note: for summer 2022, there will be no deposit required. There is no deposit ever for spring or fall programs)
Final payment: This will be paid using the U-Bill. Due dates can be found on your U-Bill.

You may provide guest user access to your U-Bill so parents can have direct access to the billing system.

CIMBA offers flexible payment options for students. Deferrals of payment until financial aid is received is the first option. You may be able to defer part of your payment based on the amount of financial aid you are receiving. For this option, you must turn in a completed Financial Aid form . You may not defer the initial payment or any amount that exceeds the verified amount on the Financial Aid form completed by your financial aid office.

Another option is to pay your U-Bill in equal installments through the Deferred Payment Plan (2 payments for summer, 3 payments for semester programs). If you choose this payment option, you do not need to contact the CIMBA office – simply divide the total amount due into equal installments (1/3 for semester programs, or 1/2 for summer programs), and begin payments on the first U-Bill due date. Paying an amount less than the Statement Balance automatically enrolls your account in the Deferred Payment Plan. Please note: a $20 Deferred Payment Fee will be assessed on your last payment if you choose this option.

You may also both defer payment until financial aid is received as well as divide the remaining balance into a payment of equal payments.

Payments may be submitted via MyUI, or they can be mailed to our payment processing center. Personal checks, cashiers check and money orders are accepted.   

Mail checks to:
The University of Iowa
Payment Processing Center
PO Box 077208
Minneapolis, MN 55480

**Please include student’s University of Iowa ID number on the check. **

To learn more about payment options, contact cimba-italy@uiowa.edu

We understand that emergencies and unexpected circumstances come up and sometimes our students are unable to attend. We are available to speak with you individually about your circumstances and will help in any way we can. If you are unable to attend and need to withdraw, the first step is to contact the CIMBA office at 1-319-335-0920 or cimba-italy@uiowa.edu.

Students have until 14 days prior to the program start date to withdraw for any reason and will receive a full refund, apart from the $40 UI application fee. Within 14 days of program start, students will be refunded all but a $500 administrative fee. 

The $40 application fee (non-UI students only) is non-refundable. The CIMBA office will reverse any refundable charges on the U-Bill within one week of withdrawal from the program. If your U-bill shows a credit balance, you must email billing@uiowa.edu to request a refund check. In the e-mail, be sure to include your name, University of Iowa ID, and the address to which you would like the refund sent.