If you're willing to put forth lots of effort, there are a number of ways to help in funding your project with International Service Learning (ISL). Here's a primer of possibilities. In all cases, the secret is to start early and keep at it until you've done all you can. We always stand ready to help in any way we can.
Sponsorship program. Most students raise funds in this way. People like to sponsor students-don't be embarrassed to let us send a letter asking for personal sponsors (you address the letters to friends, family, neighbors, etc. Getting started: send your name as your circle of family/friends will know you to use and indicate if you want to use a religious, secular or pre-med type letter. Samples are available for examination only, not for use. You may also create your own by adapting ours, with our approval (since it goes out over our name). See Sponsorship Program - How it works for details and Sponsorship Agreement for more information. (Effective Jan 1, 2007 the GSM Sponsorship Program administrative costs will change from 10% to 15%)
Local service clubs (see list below) will often contribute to a service project like this if you return with a report and presentation to their organization. Getting started: First contact the clubs with which you or one of your acquaintances have a relationship. Then contact all the rest of the service clubs in your area. If they can't help. always ask them who (both organizations and individuals) they would recommend to contact that might be interested in such sponsoring. Let us know if you need slides, power point presentation or additional info if they want a presentation before you go.
If you are taking a course in conjunction with your ISL project, most schools will adjust your financial aid package to include help for this program. Getting started: contact the financial aid officer you normally relate to. Let them know you will be receiving academic credit through your school-this is a critical point. They may contact us for more information.
If you are active in a church, most churches have mission societies or other groups (men's/women's fellowships, Sunday School classes, fraternal organizations, etc) that enjoy sponsoring students' mission trips. Getting started: with your parent(s) contact the Pastor to find out how to make the appropriate contact with these groups.
The campus ministry on your campus will often have access to special funds for this purpose. Getting started: contact your campus pastor.
If you are a Lutheran student and you have mailed out sponsorship letters and contacted your church first, an organization called ASSIST'EM will attempt to assist you with up to one half your uncovered costs. Getting started: contact Rev. Mike Malinski at (812) 372-1571 or e-mail to mmalinsky@stpeters-columbus.org.
If you'd like to be a Campus Representative for our program, we can provide grant assistance related to the number of additional students you recruit for the program. We provide materials for you to set up a table at your school and others in the area. Getting started: contact the office at (816)767-0481 or e-mail info@ISLonline.org.
If you are a student at Texas A & M University College Station please
contact Lisa Tauferner or Brian Lancaster in the study abroad office for
information about possible financial assistance or go to
http://studyabroad.tamu.edu/funding_independent.asp
NOTE: You will need to be registered and have paid tuition for an A& M
course and have proof that you will be receiving credit through BIMS or Dr.
Carbajal. The deadline and application for Fall students has not yet been
released, but should be released very soon. Students should continue to check
the web site application portal -
http://studyabroad.tamu.edu/application.asp or
sign up for the email listserv via the web site so they can be notified once it
is released for Fall students. The deadline will probably occur sometime around
mid-May. For Spring, it usually occurs in October.
You'll be surprised how well it can all come together with some work. Let us know how we can help you!
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