This is the official estimated budget for this study abroad program. It serves as an estimated cost of attendance.
Students often pay for study abroad through a combination of financial aid, personal funds, scholarships, grants, and
alternative loans. The total amount listed is the Total Projected Cost and is the maximum amount of aid you can
receive from GVSU. This estimated cost of attendance does not reflect the amount of aid you will qualify for, simply
the cap on how much could be awarded to you.
Cost Breakdown Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University
Costs Billed by GVSU*
Semester
Cost
Cost Description
GVSU Tuition:
• 12-15 credits
Item
$5,824
Paid to Grand Valley State University
Student Accounts by the regular GVSU
tuition payment deadline.
IS 380 Course Fee
$300
Tuition based on 2015-2016 upper-level instate tuition rates (12-15 credits).
Out-of-state students will pay the out-of-state
tuition rate.
Paid to GVSU. The IS 380 course fee is
$25 per credit hour. Participants of
this program will register for 12
credits of IS 380.
Total estimated fees paid to GVSU: $6,124
ADDITIONAL COSTS:
Item
Meals per quarter
Airfare & bus to Beppu
Cost
Cost Description
$2,800 (meals purchased in cafeteria)
$1,350 - $1,800 self-catered
Paid by student on-site and based on 16
weeks. There is a student cafeteria and
communal cooking areas in the AP
House. Students who choose to eat in
the cafeteria for 3 meals per day can
expect to spend up to $25 US per day on
meals. Most students will spend less, but
this is the average on-campus rate for
meals. Students who choose to prepare
meals in their apartment can save a
significant amount. The average cost of
self-prepared meals is $300-$400 per
month.
$1600-$2000
Paid to Airline Provider. Students are
responsible for securing their own airfare
to Japan. Instructions for getting to
Beppu from Fukuoka will be provided by
APU.
$113
Paid to APU - National Health Insurance
(NHI) coverage in Japan. 10,000 yen per
semester (Approx. $85 USD). Basic ISIC
card is $28 and will meet the PIC health
insurance requirement. The NHI
insurance will not cover all related
medical expenses. Here's a link for more
information:
Passport/Visa
$135
Passport fees $135. US citizens are
currently exempt from paying the visa
fee for Japan. For updated information,
visit the website for the Japanese
Consulate in Detroit.
Room and utilities
Paid to APU. Bedding/linens/pillows
(5000 yen). Other fees include: Move-in
fee (30,000 - 32,000 yen), rental Fees
(30,000- 40,000 yen per month) 4
$1,500 - $1,850 for 4 months and 11 days
months + approx. 11 days = 131,000 (exact number of days will vary by
174,700 yen total. Renter's Insurance
semester)
2,950 yen. Bank transfer fee 1,750 yen.
APU's suggested estimate is 185,000 JPY 227,000 JPN. This will be due to APU
prior to your departure.
Books and supplies
$200
estimated academic expenses for the
semester.
Personal Expenses
2,175- 2,400
On-site Personal Expenses such as basic
personal necessities, etc. Approx. $100
per week. Local transportation costs are
estimated at 45,000-75,000 JPY per
semester ($375 - $600 USD).
Total Additional Costs:
$7,073 -9,498
Health insurance/ ISIC
TOTAL PROGRAM COST: Costs billed by GVSU + Additional Costs
$13,197, - $15,622 per semester **
$17,970 (estimated cost for out-of-state students who do not receive the tuition differential scholarship)
Out-of-state students who receive a GVSU tuition differential scholarship will be able to use that scholarship
towards the cost of this program. Exception: international students will not have access to the tuition
differential scholarship for use towards the cost of study abroad.
The Padnos International Center will be providing (2) $1000 Partnership Grants for the
2015-2016 academic year. (excludes summer) If more than two students apply for this program, decisions on awards
will be made based on the strength of a student’s study abroad application and financial need. Students may be
eligible for more than $1000, but two students will receive a minimum of $1000 in grant support. Decisions on
awards will be made following the PIC priority application deadline. Some conditions apply. See PIC website
for additional information.
*Based on 2015-2016 in-state, upper division tuition rate for 12-15 credits. If you complete more than 15
GVSU credits per semester during your year abroad, tuition charges for the additional credits above 15 will
be billed to your GVSU student account after you return and PIC completes the transfer of credit.
**The cost of any study abroad program depends to a large extent on the participant’s personal spending habits
and lifestyle.
This budget is based on the currency exchange rate for on July 1, 2015. The exchange rate does fluctuate which may
result in changes to the estimates above. 1 JPN = .008163 USD
Personal travel, entertainment, gifts, souvenirs, and other types of personal spending are costs not reflected
in the above estimates.
Semester Cost Comparison (Based on in-state tuition rates)
While many study abroad programs are similar in cost to a semester here at GVSU, other are considerably more
expensive. The following will provide a comparison between average semester costs at International Christian
University and Grand Valley State University:
W/ grant
APU
$15,622
$14,622
GVSU
$10,294
$10,294
Estimated Cost Difference per semester
$5,328
$4,328
APU cost used in the comparison above is the average of the low and high end “Total Program Cost" listed above.