Australia/NZ is very popular but I hear it is expensive to study there?

This is incorrect. Australia/NZ compares quite favorably with most traditional study abroad destinations. Both currencies are lower in value than the US$. Remember also, that being in an English speaking country and providing international students opportunities to work means that the overall benefit of studying in Australia/NZ if far higher than traditional destinations because students can return not just with transferable credits but some work experience to! There are other ways in which you can maximize the study abroad experience:

AN EXAMPLE: If you are going to Australia:

A semester in Australia/New Zealand equates to about 18-19 weeks of an on-campus study program. (This depends on the Host university’s on campus orientation dates, exams and scheduling.) Students are however, usually issued with a 6 month visa and 6 months medical coverage. As the student visa, includes automatic work rights (as long as you have not done anything to jeopardize your student status in Australia), then at the end of a semester you can use the 4-6 weeks remaining on your visa, for travel, internship (the AEC does manage short term 4 week internships program or you may choose to do this independently with the research you would have undertaken whilst you’ve been in Australia) or work. You are allowed to work full time during the holidays so before returning home you may be able to work full time and gain some overseas experience. This can only be good. Remember, your medical coverage would cover you for the duration of your student visa in Australia.

In the case of Australia, note that medical insurance coverage in Australia alone is quite low when compared to US medical coverage. For example, international students to Australia pay approximately US$170 for 6 months of medical insurance coverage. Many students in the US who have their own medical coverage would be paying as much as this, if not more, just for one month’s coverage which is provided in Australia for six months!

CLICK HERE if you want to read about Working Whilst Studying.

CLICK HERE if you want to read about Travel and Internships the AEC can manage for you.

Study abroad costs money - is it really worth it?

Study abroad equips you to take on additional challenges. It makes you more marketable in terms of employment prospects. These days it takes more than simply a good academic record to get you into a good job. You need to consider the investment in study abroad against the overall advantage to your academic and professional career.

Furthermore, don't forget the personal experience you are gaining along the way. It is well worth the price!

Don’t forget the AEC is also offering you direct enrolment where you pay the Host University’s tuition fees. How good does it get?  CLICK HERE if you want to view a list of the direct enrolment fees.

What is the greatest benefit of dealing with the AEC? Why shouldn't I deal direct with the Australian/NZ university?

The greatest benefit with managing your enrolment through the AEC is that you save time, energy and have peace of mind, yet you pay the same tuition fee as a directly enrolled student – in other words, you pay the Host University’s tuition fee!

Check out the services we offer against the cost and compare this with other US based programs. You also deal with an organization that is focused ONLY on Australia/NZ and have staff that have lived, worked and/or studied in Australia/NZ so we know all about studying, working, traveling and living Down Under!  It is not enough to admit you into a program, we need to have the expertise to give you support to truly engage with Australia/NZ at all levels i.e. to integrate into student life, absorb the culture, understand local customs and norms.

When you apply to an Australian/NZ university direct, remember you are one of thousands applying to the host university. You may need to wait longer to hear from the university or you may need to pursue matters long distance yourself and often the cost and time of doing this from afar is just too much for students to handle. Remember, you're not crossing state borders, you are proposing to travel to a far a way destination for a study abroad experience - you need a competent organization to handle all the small and large details besides admission. More over what do you lose when you use the AEC Program, when it offers you direct enrolment but with all services offered by the AEC, at the same tuition fee as if you were applying direct to the Host University?

Host universities have appointed agencies in North America to provide students support with admissions – this is a good thing as this encourages interest in study abroad generally and specifically also the Host University. However not all agencies (programs) operate in exactly the same way. The AEC Program can get you to the Australian or the New Zealand Host university at direct enrolment tuition fees (as advertised on the university’s web site), yet you do not pay for the AEC services. This is because the AEC will receive a small processing fee for students it processes to Host Universities. The AEC manages its program and services with mainly the revenue earned from Host universities.

The AEC is not a large conglomerate - it has a small group of people that offers a very personalized service.

There are so many US based programs, so why should I choose the AEC?

There are many programs offering study abroad programs to Australia/NZ. The major difference between the AEC and other programs is that:

The AEC is the only major study abroad program in North America which offers direct enrolment so that students pay the Host University tuition fees! Yet students have access to the full range of services.

Other differences and why AEC should be considered for your semester, year abroad or a full degree program are listed below:

The AEC provides access to 30 Australian universities so that students have plenty of choice. (The AEC currently works with only one university in New Zealand)

The AEC team have lived, worked and studied Down Under, so they know intimately the region. Of significance is their work experience in Government and universities. If you want to know more about the people who manage the AEC, click here.

The AEC is a small program so students do receive an individualized service.

The AEC provides all services offered by other programs but students pay direct enrolment fees.

The AEC provides choice with housing and group airfares - you are not forced to take up the program's housing packages or go on pre-assigned group arrangements.

The AEC does not duplicate services already offered by Host Universities. For example, all Host Universities offer a comprehensive on-campus Orientation Program to its study abroad and full degree students so there is no need for the AEC to offer the same orientation. Instead important tips, specifically for students from the USA and Canada become part of the AEC’s pre-departure series of briefings to students. These briefings are sent electronically prior to the student’s departure. The AEC does offer optional programs such as the popular `Experience Australia’ 5 night program in Cairns or Sydney but these are options. Students don’t need to take these options, particularly if they are struggling to go on their study abroad programs.

My home university already offers programs to Australia/NZ. How can I convince my school to let me enroll through the AEC?

Take your time to research the opportunities that your school and the AEC offer you. Perhaps what your school offers is worth exploring particularly if overall services are included and the price is right. If however, after undertaking the research you believe that the AEC program is of interest to you and would better serve your needs, your budget and overall objectives then remember this is your study abroad experience which you intend to fund through personal or financial aid funds so take the time to talk to your home school advisers.

If necessary, provide the AEC with your school’s Advisor contact details (name, telephone, email address) and the AEC would make contact on your behalf. Remember, some advisers don't know the AEC; others tend to favor a select number of programs and support these because of their own personal knowledge or association with these organizations - all we ask is that we are given an opportunity to present our program to these advisers.

If you are advised that another program offers a service that is better than what the AEC offers, it is worth you looking into it. Most programs do work very hard to set up services for students. We don’t mind the competition. We just want students to have a choice. So check everyone out. That is the only way you can decide what you want.

What happens if I want to pay by payment plan?

We provide payment plans as long as these plans work around your financial aid disbursement dates. It is important that you inform us well ahead of time about your plans for financial aid so that we can work through these matters at the beginning of your application process.

What do I need to enroll in my Australian/NZ program through the AEC? How simple is this process?

All you need to do is make use of the resources you are provided on our web site - you should also begin dialogue about your specific needs through emailing advisers at AEC.

Those students that are not computer literate or do not have access to a computer should not despair. Contact the AEC on its toll free number at 1-800-565-9553.

When is the best time to apply through the AEC?

We will accept applications throughout the year. Remember with the exception of Bond University (which offers semesters in January, May and September each year) nearly all universities in Australia/NZ offer two semesters a year, beginning in February and July so you need to apply at least 3 months ahead of time for study abroad programs. For full degree programs, please allow more time for processing. Remember also, that for study abroad, the sooner you apply the better it is to get the best possible housing option because the best housing is usually taken up by early applicants.

Does the AEC have support staff in Australia/NZ?

Yes. The AEC has a coordinator that manages oversight of AEC operations Down Under. After 11 years of operation, the AEC has not had a situation where a student has been left stranded or been involved in an emergency situation.

Can the AEC guarantee housing?

Why do I need to pay a refundable  deposit with my application?

The AEC requires as a refundable deposit the following:
$50 for semester and year abroad applications
$100 for full degree applications (Bachelors, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diplomas, Masters and PhDs)

The refundable deposit is paid to the AEC Program and safeguards the AEC from non-genuine applicants who apply at random to as many schools as possible with little hope of taking up a place abroad. This wastes AEC resources.

As you will appreciate the process of applying for admission is complex. It takes up much time and resources. The AEC and its Australian/New Zealand universities work very hard with processing of applications. At the least, the AEC wants to ensure that students that apply do really want to go abroad. If they do change their mind, we would hope that it is because they have applied to several universities and then chosen their preferred option.

The refundable deposit is a small price to discourage non-genuine applications. It is not an application fee by the AEC. What you need to know about the refundable deposit is as follows:

The refundable deposit is fully refundable to you if we are not able to place you at the university or your application is rejected.

The refundable deposit is sent to the Australian/NZ university as part of your tuition fees if you are accepted and decide to accept the offer. (Example: If your tuition at the university costs $10,000, you will pay less the program deposit as the AEC will transfer your deposit to the university once you accept the offer.)

The refundable deposit will not be refunded if the AEC does the processing work, you receive acceptance and you then decide not to go. The reason for this is because the AEC earns student processing revenue from Host Universities when students actually take up their offers. Therefore, as the AEC spends considerable resources in communication costs alone to make it possible to process your application, it is only fair that the AEC uses the refundable deposit towards communication costs if you don’t go after you have received an offer.

The AEC will accept up to three application forms (to three Host Universities) with the one program deposit. If you receive even one offer, from the three universities and don’t take up the offer, you will lose the refundable deposit.  

Please be aware that the refundable deposit is different to the university’s application fees.

Some universities do require application fees for full degree applications and will not process applications without an application fee. The fact that you are paying the AEC program a refundable deposit does not remove the need to pay application fees for full degree applications, where the universities impose these. In some cases, universities will not request fees if the applications come through programs. If you hear of a program providing you an option not to pay the university’s application fee, let us know because we should be able to request the university to offer prospective students through the AEC the same service!