2026/27 Cost Breakdown for University of the Sunshine Coast Exchange Semester
This is the estimated budget for this study abroad program. It serves as an estimated cost of attendance for your semester or year. Students often pay for study abroad through a combination of financial aid, personal funds, scholarships, grants, and alternative loans. The total amount listed as the Total Program Cost is the maximum amount of financial aid that can be awarded to you by GVSU. This total program cost does not reflect the amount of aid you will qualify for, rather, it serves as the cap on what can be awarded.
Cost Billed to GVSU (based on 19 weeks abroad)
|
Item |
Cost |
Description |
|---|---|---|
|
Program Fee |
$1,700 *Fee subject to adjustments based on actual exchange rates and USC tuition rates. |
Paid to Grand Valley State University Student Accounts by the regular tuition payment deadline. Program fee includes the cost for the required OSHC insurance. |
|
GVSU Tuition (12-15 credits) |
$8,626 *Tuition based on 2026/27 upper-level instate tuition rates (12-15 credits). Out-of-state students will pay the out-of-state tuition rate. |
Paid to Grand Valley State University Student Accounts by the regular tuition payment deadline. |
|
IS 380 Course Fee |
$336 |
Paid to GVSU. The IS 380 course fee is $28 per credit hour. Participants of this program will register for 12 credits of IS 380. |
|
Chubb Insurance |
Varies |
GVSU requires all study abroad participants to purchase the Chubb International Insurance policy. The cost of coverage is determined on a per-day basis and varies depending on the total length of the program. The total insurance charge will reflect the actual number of days of participation. For current rates and coverage details, please visit the GVSU insurance webpage. |
Additional Costs
|
Item |
Cost |
Description |
|---|---|---|
|
Passport & Visa |
$1,245 |
Passport fees: $200. Visa fee is currently around $1600 AUD (~$1045 USD). |
|
Flight |
$2,500-$3,000 |
Paid to Airline Provider. Airport transfers are typically available through your housing provider and cost about $50 AUD. |
|
Health insurance |
OSHC insurance is required for all students who study in Australia. Students are billed this as part of the program fee, unless they are selected to participate as an "exchange student". Most students attend this program as a study abroad fee-paying participant. If you are selected to be the "exchange student" you will be required to pay the OSHC insurance fee. |
|
|
Housing in off-campus apartments |
$4,800 - $5,200 |
On-site Expense. Paid to housing provider. Rent is typically about $224 AUD per week. Contracts are often for 22 weeks. Other fees include: deposit of 2 months rent (approx. $450 AUD), Bond (approx. $900-1000 AUD),admin fee $100 AUD, ID card $25 AUD, internet $50/month. A surcharge of 2.5% is applied for those who pay via card. |
|
Books and Supplies |
$450 |
On-site personal expenses. |
|
Food |
$2,850 |
On-site personal expenses - Based on $150 USD per week. Food costs will vary based on a student's personal spending habits and preferences. Based on 19 weeks |
|
Personal Expenses |
$2,850 |
On-site personal expenses associated with local travel, cell phone purchase, and basic necessities. Based on $150 per week. |
TOTAL PROGRAM COST
(Costs billed by GVSU + Additional Costs)
$25,357 - $26,257* per semester + Insurance
Please note that the totals listed above do not include the required international insurance fee. Please visit the GVSU insurance page for more details regarding current rates.
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, however, they may still be eligible for the Study Abroad Grant.
Estimated costs are based on a rate of exchange of 1 AUD = 0.69 USD. Exchange rates fluctuate and may impact the estimates listed above. The rate listed here is the rate as of June 2026.
*Based on in-state, upper-division tuition rates for 12-15 credits. If you complete more than 15 GVSU credits during your semester abroad, tuition charges for the additional credit 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. Personal travel, entertainment, gifts, souvenirs, and other types of personal spending are costs not reflected in the above estimates.
Each year, one student will be awarded an “Exchange Student Scholarship” for participation in this program. The scholarship will be the equivalent to the designated program fee (currently $600-$1,000). The scholarship award will be based upon the strength of the study abroad application and financial need. Online study abroad applications received by the priority application deadline will automatically be considered. The student selected to receive the USC scholarship will be responsible for paying the OSHC insurance of approx. $300. Additional instructions will be provided to the exchange designee.