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.

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 Department of State opportunities, organizations offering grants, scholarships, fellowships and search engines to find other resources.

• For U.S. citizens, contact the embassyof the country of destination to see if they are aware of potential scholarships, fellowships and grants for U.S. citizens .

• Contact the U.S. Embassy for possible scholarships/grants/fellowships for incoming and outgoing programs.

• Contact international and national disability organizations.

• International Students/Scholars can search IIE List of Resources.

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