International Students
Welcome to the Office of Student Financial Services! Our goal is to help provide advice and guidance on financial, immigration, taxation and student employment matters as you adjust to life at Colby.
In addition, we work closely with many other offices on campus, such as Colby’s Multicultural Programs team, which offers many services and programs to support our international student population.
Colby College supports international undergraduate, graduate and visiting scholar students who hold a F1 or J1 visa by providing immigration services before arrival to campus and during their stay at the university.
To learn more about visa and immigration services at Colby College click here.
Health Insurance
For the 2024-25 school year, Colby will automatically enroll all international students.
If your Colby records indicate that you are not a US citizen, Colby will add you to the Student Health Insurance Plan automatically and you will be billed the annual $2,493 premium. International students will not be required to complete the online enrollment form as Colby will automatically enroll you. If you are an international student with a U.S. based health insurance carrier and you believe you do not need the college health plan, please reach out to the Assistant Director of Student Financial Services, Megan Aube at [email protected]
Other questions about health coverage, health services, and campus resources can be directed to the Director of Student Wellness & Health Resources, Collyn Baeder at [email protected]
Study Away
Is it possible to study abroad if I’m on financial aid?
Yes! Financial aid may be applied to both Colby and non-Colby programs as long as a student’s plans have been approved by the Office of Off-Campus Study. In an approved course of study, a student’s aid is based on the actual cost of the program, as reported on the Study Away Budget Statement and Agreement Form, up to a maximum of Colby’s cost of attendance. When considering a student’s financial aid, we take in account costs associated with necessary travel expenses, currency exchange rates, and the $1,500 Off Campus Study fee. More information about the study away financial aid process can be found here.
How do I pay for an approved non-Colby study away program?
Students attending an approved, non-Colby program can expect to receive a bill directly from their program of choice, along with a $1,500 Off Campus Study Fee from Colby. If you are receiving financial aid, you will be required to complete the Study Away Budget Statement and Agreement Form in order to determine the cost of your program, as well as an Online Payment Authorization Form where you can indicate how you would like to receive your financial aid.
Financial aid funds are NOT sent to 3rd party programs for payment. Instead, these funds are paid to the student or their family (as indicated on the Payment Authorization Form). The student will then be responsible for paying their program bill with their financial aid funds.
To learn more about the financial aid process for study away, or to access a copy of the Study Away Budget Statement and Agreement form, please visit our page dedicated to Study Away Financial Information.
Foreign Student Withholding Taxes
Understanding the U.S. tax system and filing a tax return can be an overwhelming and confusing experience for any student. That’s why, to make things easier for you, Colby College has teamed up with Sprintax, an online tool specifically designed for international students and scholars which helps you prepare your federal and state returns.
Please note: All 2023 tax obligations on the student accounts must be paid by the end of the Spring 2024 semester.
SENIORS must also pay all tax obligations, as well as any other charges appearing on their account, prior to graduation.
- Learn more about withholding taxes
Wire Payment Method
Colby has partnered with Flywire to accept payments from international students worldwide. Easily and securely make education payments in your own currency, using local payment methods from the safety and convenience of your home. With real-time tracking and Around-the-clock multilingual support, millions of students and families around the world trust Flywire for payment processing.
Did you know?
- Flywire is the global market leader for education payments, the Trusted Choice of millions of students, thousands of institutions and hundreds of recruitment agents and partners worldwide. Flywire offers convenient payment options from over 240 countries and territories, in more than 140+ currencies.
- Flywire supports a variety of local payment methods including bank transfers, credit cards, e-wallets and more.
- Flywire guarantees payment as soon as funds are received in any of our accounts around the world .
- Flywire offers peace of mind by providing real-time payment tracking every step of the way through email, in-app and text alerts .
- Flywire offers Around-the-clock multilingual support via email, phone or live chat.
- Flywire provides a secure and streamlined refunding process with automatic tracking notifications.
- Flywire’s internal controls ensure that funds are secure and protected against fraud.
- Flywire provides a Best Price Guarantee: if you find a better exchange rate at your bank within two hours of booking a local currency bank transfer with Flywire and send us a quote from your bank, we will match it.
Resources from Flywire:
- “International Payments Orientation” videos in English and Chinese
- How to make a payment with Flywire
- More information for students
- Around-the-clock multilingual support
Don’t know how much to pay?
International Student Employment
Many students work on campus at some point over their four years at Colby. Opportunities for on-campus employment can be found in academic departments, the Libraries, Athletic Department, Cotter Union, and more.
Colby College’s student employment policy permits students to work a maximum of 12 hours per week during the academic year.
For more information about international student employment and regulations, visit the Human Resources page for Student Employment where you can learn more about work eligibility and required forms.
Summer Employment
It is understood that not all students are able to return home for the summer and to help address this, each summer the college offers 50-70 varied positions available through the “Colby Summer Employment” program.
Summer employment typically begin after Commencement and Memorial Day, which is a College holiday. The workweek is typically 35 hours, Monday-Friday, 8:30-4:30 (an hour for lunch) although some jobs do vary from this schedule, particularly positions in the Facilities Department.
Summer housing is also available on campus for those working and typically ends the second week of August. At that time, Colby students may be relocated to their fall housing but generally may not continue to live on campus unless granted special permission through their employer in conjunction with Campus Life.
For further details, see the campus Human Resource Department (located in Roberts Union) or visit this link.
On-Campus Resources
Colby continues to expand opportunities for our students that both enhance their academic experience and prepare them for meaningful lives and career options upon graduation. DavisConnects, our innovative program that funds and facilitates internships, research opportunities, and global experiences, continues to evolve, and the Colby Labs offer rich experiences with partner institutions and world-renowned laboratories.
The Pugh Center, located in Cotter Union, is home to several clubs/organizations, offices, diverse programs, and support services. The center engages in work that is a reflection of Colby’s vision of a multicultural society.
Colby students are diverse.
They come from different backgrounds, they represent different cultures, and every single one has different stories to tell. Learn more here.
Questions?
Masibonge (Masi) Ngidi-Brown, Director of International Student Programs and Associate Director of the Pugh Center: [email protected]
If you have any questions, please contact the Associate Director Student Employment Services, Suheir Alaskari (ext. 5502, [email protected]) in the Student Employment office, which is located in the Office of Human Resources, Roberts #119/126. Calling or emailing ahead to make an appointment is recommended!
Alyssa Tibbetts, Student Financial Services Specialist: [email protected]
Student Financial Services: [email protected]
Student Payroll: [email protected]