Funding Your Education Abroad
Experience
Helping to Reach Your Goals
It’s all about attitude!
• Re-framing: Not, I want to go to Timbuktu but
I don’t know if I can afford it, but I’m GOING
to Timbuktu. Now, how do I get there?
• Reference: How were other life goals
accomplished? Planning and preparation
• Reason: Importance of the experience: future
employers, grad schools, global worldview
Global Learning Scholarship
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Maintain 2.0 GPA and good academic standing
Once every academic year
Amount varies depending on program
Many experiences apply
No application necessary
Global Engagement Certification
Scholarships: Applying is the most
important step
• Scholarships: start with databases (fastweb.com,
zinch.com, studyabroadfunding.org,
collegenet.com/mach25/app,
studyabroad.com/scholarships)
• 1 hour a day
• 1 essay, no more than 500-750 words
• Think local
• All scholarships, not just study abroad
• Apply, apply, apply!
Never underestimate the power of a
well written letter
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Craft a good fundraising letter, see sample
Mail more effective than email
Who, what, when, where, why
Ask for sponsorship
Make it easy to donate
Send to everyone: friends, relatives, businesses,
employers, teachers, community partners,
churches
• People can’t give if they don’t have the
opportunity!
Sample letter
Today’s Date
Recipient’s Full Name
(Title)
(Business Name)
Address
City, State ZIP
Dear _____________,
I am writing to you because I have a wonderful opportunity to participate on an education abroad program that will be a once in a lifetime experience.
I am a student at Kennesaw State University, which has one of the largest education abroad programs in the University System of Georgia. Kennesaw
State’s mission is to facilitate and enhance the development of intercultural competencies and increase global awareness. Education abroad programs
promote global learning, community engagement and cultural understanding. With my major in __________, my selected program in (country) will
focus on _________. (e.g., I will have the opportunity to take classes at the National Taiwan University of the Arts and will perform with students from
the university ) In addition to the knowledge I will gain in _________ (area of specialization) my skills will enable me to speak on the importance of
_________ (cross cultural relations, new dance techniques, etc.) and how that can relate to the U.S. when I return.
To be able to participate on this program, my goal is to raise $2500 to cover program fees. I have been fortunate enough to receive the Global Learning
scholarship through KSU and I work part-time to help fund my expenses, but this is not enough. I ask for your help in making a donation towards this
education abroad program. For your convenience, I’ve established a GoFundMe account so you can go online, get more information, follow my progress
and hopefully make a donation to help me on my journey. Any amount is greatly appreciated. Here is the link:
Should you have any questions about the program, please call me at (your #). Your support will help me complete my degree requirements and will
enable me to offer real world examples of global experience when I apply for jobs after graduation. I look forward to sharing this experience with you
upon my return.
Sincerely,
(name)
Two’s company, three’s crowdfunding
• Gofundme.com, FundMyTravel.com,
AngelDorm.com, Kickstarter.com
• Build a page, tell your story
• Who you are, what you want to do, why this is
important
• Invite others along on your journey through the
power of the web
• Set up donation levels
• Give something in return-pictures, postcards,
presentations
Successful crowdfunding
Small contributions + many people=fundraising success
http://www.gofundme.com/1wxruo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSRkTz79iqg&feature=youtu.be
(1:04)
Come along for the journey
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People want to give to someone they know
Engage the audience regularly
Share, share, share
Donors may never go to Timbuktu, or maybe
they already did…
Fundraising Advice
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What is fundraising? Bake sales, etc.
No fear of asking for money
As successful as you want to make it
Think creatively of other ways to fundraise
Any amount is more than you have
Always send thank you
Financial Aid
• Loans, other resources
• Contact early to know options, disbursement
dates