How much will the program cost and how do I pay?
Each campus makes its own policies regarding off-campus study costs, so you should consult the Off-Campus Study Coordinator at your institution to find out your specific school's policy.
 
Since the program is an extension campus of each member institution of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, your home campus will receive the invoice for the cost of your participation in the program. The only expenses you will pay directly to the CCCU are the application fee ($50) and confirmation fee ($300).

About one month before the semester begins, the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities will send a bill for your participation to your school’s business office.  For the 2007-2008 school year, that bill will feature these costs:*

Tuition	$9,400
Room & Board	1,550
Travel	1,450
TOTAL FEE	$12,400
Less Deposits	**150
TOTAL DUE	$12,250

**In addition to this $150 deposit, you will have paid a $150 book bill as part of your confirmation process.

Your campus will bill you for your semester by following the campus' established procedures.  Please note that the academic credit for your classes is granted by your school, and your school will implement its own system for determining the cost of off-campus programs.  While some schools charge their students the exact fees of the off-campus program, other schools charge the campus tuition price.  Still other schools charge the tuition, room and board costs of being on campus.  Since each school determines their own system for charges, you should confirm your school’s policies with the Off-Campus Study Coordinator on your campus. 

You can expect to use all of your federal and state financial aid to study off-campus through the BestSemester programs. Additionally, most campuses allow students to transfer some of their institutional financial aid, scholarships and grants to BestSemester programs. Contact your Off-Campus Study Coordinator or Financial Aid Office for more information and to determine how much financial aid can be applied to your off-campus semester.

*Expenses covered by MESP fees:

• Round trip transportation: New York City to the Middle East
• Tuition for recommended 16 hours of credit
• Room and board
• All necessary expenses for program-related travel within the program
• Immigration and visa expenses

Expenses students are expected to cover:

• Travel between home and New York JFK airport, the US gateway city
• Vaccinations (Hepatitis A vaccination -- at least the first of the two-part series is required prior to departure; any other regular vaccinations, such as DPT.  Consult your school clinic or home doctor for costs.)
• Personal medical expenses, if incurred 
• Fee for International Student Identification Card ($22)
• Personal discretionary expenditures (We recommend a minimum of $700 as an amount to bring for the semester)
• Local personal transportation and personal "side trips" taken while on the program
• Cost of passport if you don't already have one ($97 for regular service)

Click here to the read the MESP Refund Policy.

If you are not enrolled at a CCCU school, you will be charged an additional $200 for participating.  Please contact the Middle East Studies Program Advisor (mesp@bestsemester.com) to discuss different billing options for your participation.  Click here to find out if you attend a CCCU school.