SEA awards over $1 million per year in financial aid & scholarships.
Over 50% of our students receive some form of financial assistance; out of those, 95% receive aid directly from SEA. SEA remains committed to making our programs affordable for all qualified and motivated students.
Many of our sending institutions transfer institutional aid towards the cost of SEA Semester. Find out if your school is one of them!
Fall 2020 - Spring 2021 SEA Semester Costs
| SEA Semester: Caribbean Reef Expedition |
$15,000 for credit - OR - $11,000 for no credit |
| SEA Semester: Climate & Society | $31,900 |
| SEA Semester: Colonization to Conservation in the Caribbean | $31,900 |
| SEA Semester: The Global Ocean | $31,900 |
| SEA Semester: Marine Biodiversity & Conservation | $31,900 |
| SEA Semester: Ocean Exploration | $25,000 |
| SEA Semester: Oceans & Climate | $31,900 |
| SEA Semester: Sustainability in Polynesian Island Cultures and Ecosystems | $31,900 |
2021 SEA Summer Session Costs
| Protecting the Phoenix Islands (8-week) | $20,700 |
Program Inclusions & Value
Every fall or spring SEA Semester program carries 17-18 semester hours of credit through Boston University or the student’s home institution; the summer programs carry 7-11 semester hour credits, depending on the program.
Itemized Costs: 2020-2021 Program Costs Breakdown (pdf)
Program Value: Program Inclusions
Additional Expenses
Students are responsible for all travel expenses (Home-Woods Hole, Woods Hole-Ship, Ship-Home). Travel costs vary by program.
Personal expenses (including local transportation): $250 estimate.
Financial Aid
Over 50% of our students receive some form of financial assistance; out of those, 95% receive aid directly from SEA. Please contact the SEA Financial Aid Office (800-552-3633 ext. 557) to discuss the transfer of institutional or federal aid, or to learn about scholarship opportunities.
Payment Information
A non-refundable $750 deposit, payable to "Sea Education Association", is due within two weeks of acceptance to the program. This fee reserves your space in the class and is credited towards the cost of tuition.
Balance of Invoice is due according to the following schedule:
- 90 days prior to start date – 50% of total program cost due (after deposit is paid)
- 60 days prior to start date – final balance due
Bills will be sent to your home address unless otherwise requested. Please contact Tara Grieb in the SEA Billing Office (800-552-3633 ext. 542) if your college requires an invoice for payment.
Refund Policy
Students must notify SEA in writing of their intent to withdraw from the program. The following refund policies apply:
- 61 days or more before program start date = 100% refund, less $750 deposit
- 60 – 31 days before program start date = 50% refund, less $750 deposit
- 30 days or less before program start date, or after program start date = no refund
Title IV financial aid funds used for tuition will be refunded according to federal regulations.
All application fees are non-refundable.
Please note: we have updated our refund policy for Summer 2020 programs. Visit our Covid-19 information page to learn more.