SAI Study Abroad Program Overview
Institution
Since 1995, SAI Programs has provided students with exceptional cultural and educational experiences abroad, offering the opportunity to enroll in some of the finest schools available to English speaking students in Europe. By encouraging students to explore the complex intersections between self, community, and creativity, SAI aims to provide an inspiring and transformative experience for all participants.
Locations
SAM offers semester and summer study abroad programs in France, England, Italy, and Spain.
Housing
Housing options will vary by program. For more information please visit the specific SAI program page. The cost of housing will be included in the invoice that SAI sends to Appalachian and students will be billed through their Appalachian term bill.
Financial
Program Costs
Students participating on SAI programs will be billed through Appalachian the SAI program cost. This will replace the Appalachian tuition & fees for the term they are abroad. In addition to the SAI costs students will also be responsible for submitting a $200 OIED Program Development Fee upon acceptance by the Education Abroad Office. The fee payment confirms your spot and is non-refundable. Students will also be billed a $60 International Health Development Fee after program confirmation.
Students should also plan for additional program related costs. The table below lists some of the common categories that students should plan for. The individual SAI program pages will provide an overview of estimated additional costs.
| Estimated Additional Costs |
Semester |
| Intl Health Dev Fee |
$60 |
| Housing |
Varies |
| Meals |
Varies |
| Airfare |
Varies |
| 1Personal Expenses |
Varies |
| Books and Materials |
Varies |
| Local Transportation |
Varies |
| Visa (for US Citizens) |
Varies |
| Passport |
$150 |
| 2US Based Health Insurance |
Varies |
| 3Personal Travel and Spending |
Varies |
1Essential living expenses includes but is not limited to: toiletries, cell phone, emergency funds, laundry, basic travel and entertainment, etc.
2Students are encouraged to maintain a US based health insurance plan while abroad (to exempt out of AppState insurance students must follow the App exemption process - proving that they have insurance coverage for the entirety of the semester.
3Personal Travel and Spending amounts will vary by student and will be affected by how often a student goes out, travels, and the items they purchase.
Please note that non-billable costs are estimates only and will be affected by personal spending habits, currency fluctuations, etc. Prices listed in USD unless otherwise noted.
Students are encouraged to start planning for their study abroad program costs well in advance. Please use the Student Financial Planning Worksheet to help estimate your anticipated expenses and your anticipated financial resources. When planning for estimated additional costs students are encouraged to research currency conversion rates.
Financial Aid
The majority of financial aid and scholarships can apply to semester and year-long study abroad programs. For more information please visit the Office of Student Financial Aid web page.
Scholarships
SAI Affiliate Discount
All Appalachian students participating on a SAI program automatically receive a $300 discount of the listed SAI program price.
SAI Semester Pell Grant Scholarship
Students who are accepted to a semester SAI program with Signature Services and will be receiving a Pell Grant for the semester they are abroad, are eligible to receive a $500 scholarship.
SAI Scholarships
SAI offers a variety of scholarship opportunities for students. Scholarship awards range from $500 to $3000.
OIED Scholarships
Each semester OIED offers a variety of different scholarship opportunities for students. Scholarship awards range from $250 to $2000.
Benjamin A Gilman Scholarship
The Gilman Scholarship Program application is open to U.S. citizen undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding at a two-year or four-year college or university to participate in study and intern abroad programs worldwide.
Fund for Education Abroad
Applicants from groups underrepresented in study abroad and those destined for non-traditional locations are given preference, in an effort to make the demographics of U.S. undergraduates studying abroad reflect the rich diversity of the U.S. population.
For information about additional scholarships please visit our External Scholarships web page.
Academics
Academic offerings on SAI program vary by site. For more information about the courses and structure of the program please visit the SAI website.
All students are expected to maintain at least the equivalent of a full time course load according to Appalachian State and the host university while abroad (whichever is greater). Each CIEE program will have a different minimum credit requirement. For more information about study abroad enrollment policies, credit approval, and credit and grade conversions please visit the Academics section of our website.
How to Apply
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and some programs may fill up before the listed deadline. Each year applications for Fall, Spring, and Summer will open up on August 1st. Once open the deadline will be listed below and an Apply Now button will be available at the top and bottom of this page. Most applications will have a 2 part application process so students are encouraged to complete their OIED application well before the listed deadline.
Students applying to a SAI program should complete the
SAI application while also completing the Appalachian application.
For more information about deadlines and how to apply please visit our
Guide Me web page.