Costs

Program Costs for 2026: $16,775 

Includes: 

• Tuition for 12 credits 

• Housing in a single room with shared bathroom, kitchen and living room 

• Bedding pack including duvet, pillow, sheets, towels 

• Airport transfer upon arrival to Dublin on designated arrival day 

• Pre-arrival Webinar and Orientation 

• Comprehensive International Health insurance 

• UNCW staff member on the ground with students upon arrival 

• Maynooth staff member support throughout program 

Other expenses not included: 

• Flight from US to Dublin 

• Meals (there are many affordable food options on campus and around the campus as well as grocery shops within walking distance) 

• Kitchen supplies (there is a pop up reuse market upon arrival where most students get their kitchen supplies, there is also a store nearby where students can get affordable kitchen supplies if needed) 

• Any personal travel expenses 

• Irish Residency Permit - estimated $350 USD (300 euros) Maynooth will assist with this whole process upon arrival and student do not need to do anything ahead of time 

FYSA students must formally accept their offer of admission to UNCW to secure their spot at UNCW for the Spring (this is the deadline regardless of fall plans). Students who confirm their enrollment will then have the option to sign up for FYSA @ Maynooth program through UNCW's online application. 

May 30 - Deadline for FYSA's to complete UNCW's online application and submit a $ 500 non-refundable deposit to secure their placement in the program. This is a decisive moment in the enrollment process! With the payment of a $500 deposit, the participant is committing to payment of the entire program fee.  

Almost immediately after the May 30 deadline, UNCW will begin making financial obligations and payments on the student's behalf. Therefore, even though the program fee charge may not appear on a student's account for some time after submission of the deposit, the participant is responsible for payment of any portion of the program fee that has been committed on his or her on behalf. 

Early August- In early August, program participants will receive an email from the Office of Global Partnerships and International Education informing you that it is time to make payment for the program. There will also be detailed instructions and video tutorials attached in this email on how to proceed to complete payment. Once this email has been sent, participants will then have just under 30 days to make payment in full or to enroll in a payment plan. 

The program fee will be charged to each specific UNCW student account. You will then be instructed via email, as mentioned above, to login to your account to pay this balance. There you will have the option of paying this balance by using a credit card, or by linking and using a specified checking account of your choice. 

Please note that this program is not eligible for financial aid (including grants, education loans, federal loans, GI Bill, and UNCW scholarships). No loans or scholarships that must be processed through UNCW's financial aid office can be used for this program. 

Additional Resources 

The cost of your trip will depend on how you choose to live and where you plan to travel. You can lower your expenses abroad by doing such things as: purchasing food at grocery stores or markets rather than eating at restaurants, by staying at youth hostels instead of hotels when you undertake independent travel, and by monitoring the amount of shopping you do. 

Payment Options 

Payment Plans 

The Euro 

As you know, the currency in Ireland is called the euro. You should start familiarizing yourself with the conversion rate of the dollar to the euro and vice versa. You may also want to start familiarizing yourself with the banknotes and coins (and what they look like) to avoid standing or sitting in public spaces trying to figure out how much money you have. 

Also, remember the euro is the currency in Ireland and the majority of Europe with the exception of the UK. If you are traveling to another country during your visit, the euro may not be used there, so be sure to research local currencies before you travel. 

Credit or Debit Cards 

A debit card allows you to withdraw money from your bank account in the United States in the currency of your host county, which serves as an extremely convenient way of exchanging money while abroad. We recommend that you keep a copy of your card's contact information somewhere safe, so that you have it on hand in the event that you misplace it. 

Many debit/credit cards can be used in ATM machines abroad, but be aware of the local and international charges this can incur. Visa and MasterCard are more widely accepted worldwide than are other cards like American Express and Discover. 

Also, it is becoming more popular in Europe for people to use pin and chip cards (instead of the traditional swipe card). If you have a chance to upgrade your card to a chip, we recommend doing so before traveling abroad. 

Be aware of any foreign transaction fees your bank likely charges for debit / credit card use abroad, as 3% per transaction is not uncommon. Set up online banking for these accounts so you can monitor your expenses and associated fees as they get translated into dollars. If your card is already fairly worn, consider getting a new one before departure. 

Card Safety 

Before traveling, be sure to notify your bank and/or card companies that you will be traveling abroad to avoid your card usage being frozen. You should also ask if there is a transaction limit or a daily limit set on the card and make changes on those limits if appropriate. 

If your card is lost or stolen, cancel it as soon as possible. Before you leave the States, write down the account numbers of these cards as well as the customer service numbers of the bank and/or card companies. 

Make copies of this information for yourself as well as a family member. Store the information in a safe place separate from where you store the cards themselves. 

Cash 

You may need cash in smaller towns or when splitting costs with friends. Check exchange rates before you change money from USD to the euro, and be aware that airports, hotels and train stations will often charge a higher rate of commission than a bank (the larger, the better). Also, do not carry more cash than you can reasonably afford to lose. 

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