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Financing Your Education Abroad Experience
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YOU CAN'T AFFORD NOT TO GO!
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- Study Abroad: An Investment in Your Future
- Studying abroad involves a commitment and is an investment in your future. Like any other type of investment, it requires advance planning, careful management, creativity, and perseverance. The personal, academic, and professional rewards will last a lifetime.
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- Plan Ahead
- Calculate all of your current costs, including rent or dormitory costs, travel, entertainment, books and supplies, etc. to determine your annual budget. Use this as a baseline for comparison of costs abroad. Do not plan with the idea that you will find work abroad.
- Various factors influence study abroad program costs: country, local cost of living, length, and type of program. Determine your needs and interests and compare the features and costs of various programs to find the best match. Make the program work towards your long-term goals and it will be worth the investment.
- Apply for financial aid far enough in advance to determine your financial aid award and budget accordingly.
- Set your priorities. Work longer hours or get that part-time job if you will need additional funds for studying abroad.
- Financial Aid
- If you currently receive financial aid, you will be able to apply financial aid to most study abroad experiences (except CSULB faculty-led courses in summer and winter). Also, all students are eligible for either need-based subsidized or unsubsidized non-need-based federal direct loans. A list of alternative student loans is available in the CSULB Office of Financial Aid (BH-123).
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- Scholarships
- Visit the CSULB Office of Study Abroad (BH-201) to examine various publications that list scholarships and financial resources for international study. Also, check out various professional and service organizations, as well as your campus department or college, that may provide scholarships.
- CSULB Funding Resources for Study Abroad
- You might also wish to visit the CSULB Center for Scholarship Information located in the University Student Union (USU), Room 238 (second floor). You can search their web site at: http://www.csulb.edu/divisions/students2/csi/
Web Sites for Further Financial Information and Ideas
Creative Fundraising Ideas
Fundraising will help to make your overseas experience more affordable and serves as a way to educate the public. If you select a program that helps to achieve your long-term goals, it will be easier to solicit funds from external sources. Keep in mind that local, regional, and national groups, as well as individuals, are all possible contributors. They include: heritage groups that have interest in specific countries (e.g., Japan America Society), civic groups (Rotary, Kiwanis, and Lions Clubs), foundations, travel agents, high school alumni associations, professional and business clubs, media (newspapers, radio, and TV stations), sororities and fraternities (local and national chapters), and charitable, ethnic, religious, and campus organizations. Direct, informal appeals often work. Be specific as to how you intend to spend the funds (airfare, program fee, tuition, personal travel, special projects, etc.) Include a photo of yourself with your requests so that the recipient will establish a personal connection with you. Enthusiasm, creativity, and perseverance on your part, and not fearing rejection in some instances, will likely take you a long way.
- In exchange for financial support, you should pledge to "give something back," such as regular updates while you are abroad, or upon your return, write an article; show a video or slides of your experience; lead a discussion or seminar; organize a topical campus or community forum; promote educational and business exchanges; participate in radio and televised interviews and broadcasts; contribute community service and outreach; or help others to have a similar international experience.
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- Ideas That Have Worked!
- Waive holiday and birthday gifts and request financial gifts or loans instead.
- Write a creative letter to all of your relatives and family friends, asking for financial support in exchange for monthly letters while abroad and a presentation and dinner upon your return.
- Contact your local newspaper and ask to be paid for a series of columns to be sent from abroad.
- Hold a bake sale, garage, flea, or rummage sale.
- Ask friends to join you in raising money by painting, cleaning, or car wash services.
- Organize an event where you and/or some friends offer workshops for a reasonable fee (computer skills, cooking, quilting, yoga, karate, dancing, sign language, stained glass, woodworking, etc.).
- Sell coffee and baked goods with a sign stating your purpose.
- Collect used books, CDs, computer software, etc. and have a sale.
- Ask your church, synagogue, or temple to sponsor a special offering, dinner, or raffle and give the proceeds for study abroad.
- Approach stores for donated supplies (such as clothes, camping gear, equipment, etc.).
- Find out if your parents' employers have a scholarship program for their children.
- Ask your employer to make a cash advance to be paid back through payroll deduction. (No harm in asking!)
- Sell T-shirts at a dance marathon.
- In exchange for the use of your car while you're gone, ask a friend or sibling to make all or part of your car payments.
- Organize a can/bottle drive in the residence halls.
- Collect cans/bottles during homecoming tailgating. (Be sure to identify yourself and the purpose so fans will readily pass on their cans and bottles.)
- Investigate getting paid to assist with special event parking or to clean up a venue where an event has been held and ask your friends to join you.
- SAVE, SAVE, SAVE!
- Keep a careful record of who supported you and the amount. Be sure to express your appreciation for their support. Your energy and enthusiasm for an international experience will be contagious! Good luck
