K-State study abroad drops application fee

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Sources: Matt Wagner, 785-532-6541, mwagner@k-state.edu;
Kenneth Holland, 785-532-5990, kholland@k-state.edu; and
Elizabeth Ward, 785-532-5990, lizward@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Andy Badeker, 785-532-6415, abadeker@k-state.edu

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

K-STATE STUDY ABROAD DROPS APPLICATION FEE

MANHATTAN -- In hopes of enticing more students to broaden their education beyond U.S. borders, Kansas State University's study abroad program has eliminated its $50 application fee.

The fee, which covered the program's cost of examining a would-be traveler's transcript and proposed course of study, discouraged some students from considering overseas study, said Matt Wagner, senior in management information systems, El Dorado, and K-State student body president. He and Lydia Peele, senior in education-mathematics, Olathe, and student body vice president, targeted the fee during their election campaign this spring.

Wagner compared the study abroad fee to the consultation fee formerly charged by K-State's career and employment services.

"When they eliminated that, they noticed a significant increase in students" using the job-placement office, Wagner said. "That's what we're hoping for here."

"Providing opportunities to K-State students for international travel and study has long been a priority for President Jon Wefald," said Kenneth Holland, associate provost for international programs. "Globalization is transforming the world, and more and more students need an understanding of this new environment in order to be successful in their careers."

The fee-free policy is effective immediately for new study-abroad applicants, said Elizabeth Ward, director of study abroad. The policy doesn't cover students already registered for summer and fall programs who have already paid the fee or who still owe that fee.

To make up for the loss of revenue this year, K-State's budget office is providing a one-time transfer of $30,000 on July 1, Holland said. To cover future costs, Wagner has agreed to ask the Student Governing Association to allocate some of its share of tuition to the office of international programs for the next five years.

Exactly how much the Student Governing Association will be asked to cover "will be determined after we see how many students now use the office with the application fee being removed," Wagner said. He plans to make that projection in November.

"As we move ahead and our study abroad numbers continue to climb each year," Ward said, "we look forward to working with the budget office and the Student Government Association to ensure that we can continue to offer our students this no-fee service."

Emphasis on foreign study has increased throughout the Kansas Board of Regents system.

K-State recently added study-abroad participation to its list of "performance indicators," Holland said, which the regents use to evaluate the university for funding purposes. "President Wefald and Nelson Galle, chair of the Board of Regents, both strongly urge students to travel to a foreign country as an element of their undergraduate education."