Costs for direct enroll ISDSI programs

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and Fees

Study abroad can be surprisingly affordable if you plan well, and often your existing financial aid will transfer. In addition, to help students afford study abroad, ISDSI charges a comprehensive fee so that there are no “hidden” or “extra” fees and costs that you have to pay once you arrive.

When comparing the costs of study abroad, many programs will make students pay for the cost of local travel, food, books, readers, and more. We’ve been on financial aid and put ourselves through college.

OUR COMPREHENSIVE FEE INCLUDES:

  • Tuition
  • Housing
  • In-country books/readers
  • Program related travel
  • Program related food (on expeditions, etc.)
  • Monthly cash stipend for food not covered on expeditions

THE only things our FEE DOES NOT COVER are THE FOLLOWING:

  • Roundtrip airfare to Thailand
  • Thai Visa
  • Insurance (this may be paid for by your institution — check with your study abroad office)
  • Any personal clothing or gear you might need for your semester
  • Any additional certifications that might be required (summer marine ecology program only)
  • All students will be issued an ISDSI transcript. If needed a transcript from our School of Record, the University of Minnesota, is available for a $450 fee.

If you are considering an ISDSI program, please contact us at [email protected] to find out about scholarship opportunities that are available.  Some scholarships require quite a bit of lead time, so the sooner you contact us the better we will be able to help you with applying for scholarships.

Semester programs: 2026-2027

ProgramProgram feeTuitionRoom & boardCredits
Culture, Ecology, and Community (CEC)$28,444$19,910$8,53318
Society and Culture of Thailand (SCT)$18,500$12,950$5,55018
Orphaned and Vulnerable Children (OVC)$18,500$12,950$5,55016

Summer programs: 2027

ProgramProgram feeCreditsLength
Agroecology and Entrepreneurship$5,25044 weeks
Elephants and Conservation Ecology$6,95044 weeks
Marine and Tropical Coastal Ecosystems$8,40044 weeks

How to Pay

We accept payment by bank transfer, check, or Zelle. Payment details will be sent to you for your specific program.

If your school is paying your bill on your behalf, the invoice will be sent to them instead of you.

Payment plans: We can work with you if you need a payment plan. Please contact us at [email protected] as soon as possible to request this option.

Financial aid: If your financial aid will not be disbursed by the due date, we will work with you on a plan where partial payment is made on the due date and the balance is paid after your aid is disbursed. Please contact us at [email protected].

Deposit & Balance Due

Semester ProgramsSummer Programs
Deposit$500, due within 2 weeks of your acceptance$250, due within 2 weeks of your acceptance
Balance dueJuly 1 for Fall programs or October 20 for Spring programs, or within 30 days of your acceptance — whichever is later30 days before the start of your program, or within 14 days of your acceptance — whichever is later

Your deposit is non-refundable and will be applied toward your total program fee. If you’re accepted close to the deadline, you’ll still have time to submit payment.

Withdrawals & Refunds

Semester Programs

If you withdraw…You’ll receive…
Before your balance is dueA refund of any amount paid beyond your deposit
After your balance is due, but before the program beginsA refund of any amount paid beyond your deposit, less any non-recoverable costs
After the program begins, through the end of Block 1 (about one month into the program)60% of your program fee refunded (excluding your deposit), less any non-recoverable costs
After the end of Block 1No refund

Non-recoverable costs are expenses ISDSI has already paid on your behalf and cannot get back, such as in-country travel, payments for housing, etc.

Summer Programs

If you withdraw…You’ll receive…
Before your balance is dueA refund of any amount paid beyond your deposit
30 to 16 days before your program begins50% of your program fee refunded (excluding your deposit)
15 days or less before your program begins, or after the program beginsNo refund

Good to Know

  • If ISDSI cancels a program, you’ll receive a full refund, including your deposit.
  • You may defer your enrollment to a future term one time at no penalty. Your deposit will transfer, but is not refunded.
  • In rare cases beyond our control (natural disasters, government travel restrictions, program suspension, etc.), refunds are not guaranteed. Requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Questions about payment or refunds? Contact us at [email protected].

Application Deadlines

Semester Application Deadlines: Fall – March 15 / Spring – October 15

Summer Application Early Decision: January 31 / Deadline: April 1

Some programs fill quickly! Apply early to secure your spot. After the deadline we will accept students on a space available basis, so contact us at [email protected]

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