Speaking of money, what is the real deal?

As you know, the program fee for any Exploration Seminar does not include a number of expenses. How do you calculate the real costs?

Here is a general budget:

Program fee: $2,995
IPE Administrative fee: $200
Airfare: $1,200+
Insurance: $200
Books/Course Materials/Art Supplies: $100+
Food (most meals are not covered by the program): $600 - $800
Personal Spending Money: variable (independent travel, entrance fees not included within the program, gifts, etc.)
Communication (internet/cell phone): $100

Financial Aid and Scholarships for Exploration Seminars

* Existing financial aid can be used to pay for ExpoSem costs, but students do not get extra aid - instead they can adjust their 2008 disbursements to have access to more funds in the fall when their costs increase because of the programs. Students who want to do this must obtain a Budget of Student Expenses from IPE, and submit that to financial aid for a revision of their aid disbursement.
* ExpoSem scholarships are available ONLY to students who are already eligible for financial aid. To be considered for a scholarship, you simply go through the process above to request a financial aid revision. Anyone who does will automatically be considered for a need-based scholarship. Last year $25,000 in scholarships were awarded.
* IPE offers a mix of need and merit-based IPE scholarships, independently of ExpoSems, for UW students studying abroad. http://ipe.washington.edu/forms/IPEScholarship.pdf
* Students are always free and encouraged to pursue other funding opportunities.
* General info on ExpoSem costs:
http://depts.washington.edu/explore/about/costs.htm and financial
aid: http://depts.washington.edu/explore/forstudents/financialaid.htm