Prospective Students FAQs

Rice credite intensive 3-week course(s) taught in Paris at the Rice Global Paris Center, combining classroom learning with site visits and course-related excursions.

Rice Global Paris Center | Paris, France.

There are three Paris Summer Sessions. You may take ONLY one course per session (if you apply to multiple courses and are accepted); tuition applies separately to each course.

Any current Rice undergraduate student may apply.
Please review each individual course webpage for prerequisite information. If you have not met a course’s prerequisite, you will not be eligible to enroll in that specific course.

Eligibility Note: You must be enrolled at Rice full time during the Spring 2026 semester in order to be eligible to apply. Students on leave during the Spring 2026 semester are not eligible, even if on track for Fall 2026 readmission. Incoming Fall 2026 freshmen are also not eligible to apply.

Note for Graduating Seniors: You are welcome to apply to this program; however, Rice summer aid (directly from the financial aid office) is not available to seniors who have obtained enough credits to graduate by the end of the spring semester. Additionally, you will have to postpone your graduation date to the summer in order to participate. You are still eligible to apply for both RICE GLOBAL tuition and travel awards, included below in the application.

Yes. Seniors are eligible to participate; however, summer financial aid is not available to students who have enough credits to graduate at the end of spring. Seniors who wish to participate will need to postpone their graduation date to summer. They will also need to obtain special permission to walk during graduation in May. Seniors remain eligible to apply for Rice Global tuition and travel awards (via the program application).

No. All courses are Rice University courses taught in English. You will be enrolled in a Rice course that takes place in Paris.

Yes, but if you are accepted, you will be required to apply for an expedited passport and provide a copy of your passport 2 weeks before your session start date in order to participate. Please note that you must have at least six months validity remaining on your passport whenever you travel abroad. You can find more information here.

Yes, as long as you are a full-time Rice undergraduate student, but always check travel guidance with the Office of International Students and Scholars to make sure that there aren't any issues.

If you are not an American citizen, you may need to obtain a Schengen Visa in order to enter France. Please visit https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/who-needs-schengen-visa/ to learn if you require a Schengen Visa.

There is one common application for all courses. The application link can be found here and in all course webpages. In the form, you can indicate interest in multiple sessions or rank courses by preference. Applications are reviewed in order received; admission notifications go out after the deadline once enrollments are confirmed. Each course requires a minimum of 12 students to run.

1. Statement of Intent (150–250 words): Why this course in Paris, how it connects to your goals, and what you hope to contribute and gain.
2. Readiness & Motivation (150–250 words): How you’ve adapted to new/challenging environments; how you’ll approach cultural differences and represent Rice in France.

**Please note that if you don't meet the minimum word count, your application will NOT be considered.

Last year’s rate (Summer 2025) was $1,800 per credit hour.

• 3 credits = $5,400
• 6 credits = $10,800

Summer 2026 rates have not yet been announced. Rates will be updated as soon as announced - expect minor adjustments.

1. Student housing (full session)
2. Paris metro card (for session)
3. Course-related excursions and tickets
4. Three group meals
5. Rice's travel insurance

Round-trip airfare, meals beyond the three group meals, personal expenses/incidentals, and phone/SIM.

Degree-seeking Rice undergraduates who received need-based aid during the academic year are eligible to receive institutional need-based aid equivalent to 50% of summer tuition. Please note, summer aid is not available to seniors who have obtained enough credits to graduate by the end of the spring semester.

The Summer Rice Grant is limited to two summers (up to 9 credit hours per summer) of Rice courses during their time as a Rice undergraduate student. The Summer Rice Grant is only available for Rice online, in person, or "Rice in country" coursework and for participants in other faculty-led overseas programs offered for Rice credit during the summer. It is not available for non-Rice summer programs.

The Summer Rice Grant may be received toward up to 9 credit hours or a maximum of $5,400 in Summer 2025. SUBJECT TO CHANGE FOR SUMMER 2026.

You should contact the Office of Financial Aid—specifically Blake Dalina, who oversees the Rice Global Paris summer program.

Your acceptance letter will include information about your individual financial aid eligibility (as provided to us by the Financial Aid Office). However, we strongly recommend that you reach out directly to confirm your eligibility and discuss any questions with Blake.

Yes—students can apply in the program application for Rice Global Tuition or Travel Awards designed to bridge small funding gaps (not full-cost awards). The maximum combined award is $1,300 and is not guaranteed. Plan to cover full costs even if you receive the maximum.

Tuition remission cannot be applied for summer courses. It is only applicable for the fall or spring semesters.

This program requires a $300 registration fee, which must be paid before you are invited to register. You will not be able to register until this fee has been received. The fee is non-refundable, but it is applied toward your tuition once you register.

All students must complete registration by the end of the spring semester.

Plan $1,500–$2,500 round-trip Houston/US ↔ Paris (varies by airline/booking timing).

• Mostly groceries: €210–€450 (≈ $245–$525)
• Mixed (cook + occasional dining out): €450–€900 (≈ $525–$1,050)
• Restaurant-heavy: €900–€1,500+ (≈ $1,050–$1,750+)

$200–$400 baseline; consider a $300–$500 buffer if you’ll travel or dine out more.
(Housing and metro card are covered by tuition.)