On February 20, the University announced changes to its travel support for international students. The Travel Pilot Program, which began in 2020 during the pandemic, will come to an end this year. This program previously covered one round-trip flight per academic year for students on financial aid.
Starting in the 2026-27 academic year, financial support for travel will be included in the University’s Cost of Attendance framework. This means aid will depend on historical airfare data and the student’s home region, as explained by Chia-Ying Pan, the Associate Dean for International Students.
The Pilot Program was created to help international students when travel was unstable. However, as travel has become more predictable, the need for direct booking through the program has diminished.
Students have mixed feelings about this change. Antonio Furleo Semeraro, a freshman from Italy, sees it as an added burden for international students already dealing with visas and paperwork. He expressed concern about how costs might vary within regions, making travel harder for some.
Felipe Barbosa, a sophomore, appreciates the flexibility the new system offers. He plans to find cheaper flights and use leftover funds for trips home. Others, like Daniyal Suleimen, welcome the chance to travel beyond just Boston but worry about the timing of the financial support. Suleimen raised a valid point that incoming freshmen from lower-income households might struggle to pay for flights upfront.
Pan addressed these concerns, reassuring that the University will still assist students who face unexpected travel costs. While changes aim to give students more choices, experts suggest it’s essential to consider travel complexities, especially for those from regions with stricter travel regulations. The University encourages students to discuss any unique situations with financial aid advisors.
Overall, as the University transitions to this new travel support model, ongoing collaboration between various departments will help ensure that international students receive necessary guidance and assistance.
For further information on financial aid and travel guidelines, visit Brown University Financial Aid.
