Finding Funding for Flights and Fees

Resources Scholarships/Grants/Fellowships Listings Ethnic & Disability Associations Community Organizations Disability Organizations Embassies Local Businesses & Associations

FIND OUT THE COST OF THE PROGRAM

When selecting a program and applying, you will need to consider program costs since most international exchange programs charge a fee.  Talk to program coordinators to discover what the fee covers (i.e. travel costs? housing? orientation? airport pick-up? health insurance? tuition?)  Be sure and ask the program coordinators about possible scholarships and fundraising ideas. Some long-term volunteer programs and work programs (i.e. teaching programs) may offer some or all of the following perks: stipends, salaries, airfare and/or housing. Give yourself plenty of time when researching programs and applying to raise the necessary fees.

If you have a health insurance plan, like Medicaid, that will not cover you while overseas, then look for a program that offers group insurance that covers pre-existing conditions or prescription medications or provides mental health coverage if that is what you need. Finding individual travel insurance or even full international medical insurance that covers these can be difficult to find or qualify for on overseas programs less than a year long. See our tiphseet for more information.

WHERE TO FIND FUNDING SOURCES

After communicating with the exchange organization or conference sponsors about scholarships and/or fundraising ideas, try these resources:

Use International and National Resources

• NCDE's Financial aid page listing U.S. Department of State opportunities, organizations offering grants, scholarships, fellowships, information on using vocational rehabilitation/social security funds abroad, and search engines to find other scholarship resources.

• For U.S. citizens, contact the embassy of the country of destination that is located in the United States. Ask if they are aware of potential scholarships, fellowships and grants for U.S. citizens. For example, embassies of France and Japan offer scholarships for teachers.

• Contact the U.S. Embassy in the country where you are going for possible scholarships/grants/fellowships for Americans on incoming programs.

• Contact U.S. national disability organizations to see about scholarships that can be used for overseas study or other experiences. If you are a member of a local chapter, approach them too. Overseas disability organizations might also be willing to host you by providing assistance such as a homestay or transportation once in the country to save costs.

Raise The Funds Yourself

Google "fundraising" which will bring up lists of different fundraising ideas or use the NCDE's list of fundraising ideas.                                                            

To Fundraise, Use Local Resources

• Contact local disability organizations
• Contact organizations involved in the type of program or your course of study (i.e. astrology, healthcare, languages) to see if they may offer scholarships
• Contact organizations with roots in the country of destination for possible funding opportunities (e.g. Chinese-American Business Association, Asian-American Journalists Association, Association of Latino Professionals in Accounting and Finance)
• Contact your local Chamber of Commerce to obtain a list of local community organizations and businesses that may be able to contribute money or airfare
• If you use an assistive device, contact the manufacturers of that device to see if they would be willing to contribute money in exchange for marketing and PR

• Read "Survival Strategies" Chapter Two: Making Your International Experience Happen (Part Two) Fundraising: How to Finance Your Program Participation PDF (or Chapter Two - Part Two RTF).