So you dream of studying abroad – but you just aren’t sure you can afford it. Think again! Study abroad might be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so here are some more options for funding your dream.
MCC does not endorse any particular creative funding idea but provides these as examples of ways to raise money for your study abroad program.
529 Plan College Savings Accounts
Short educational trips may be considered eligible expenses for 529 plan college savings accounts.
A New Leaf, MesaCAN - Assets to Opportunity
A New Leaf’s Assets to Opportunity (ATO) program is a matched savings program. People of low to moderate means can build assets towards post-secondary education. Located within A New Leaf’s Mesa Community Action Network (MesaCAN), ATO collaborates with community partners to ease the burden of rising college costs.
Students can attend at any accredited community college, university, or trade school in Arizona.
Eligibility:
- Income at or below 200% of federal poverty line
- Have earned income
- 16 years or older
- Resident of Arizona
- Commit to saving $500 and saving for at least 3 months
- Commit to making $30 deposits twice per month
- Complete financial wellness workshops
- Complete all other program requirements
For more information, please contact ATO@turnanewleaf.org.
Birthdays, Graduation or Other Special Occasions
Instead of asking for presents, ask for help with the cost of your study abroad program. It's part of your credit-earning education!
Budgeting Applications
Set a budget, track your goals and do more with your money!
Business, Church and Civic Organizations
Ask any of these organizations which you or your family members belong to if they have scholarships or would make a donation towards your program.
Coin Jar
Start a coin jar/piggy bank and save all of your spare change every day!
Crowdfunding Sites
Tell your story! Upload at least 4 images and videos sharing your life, your studies, your major, your future goals, your program, your study abroad city (you can find short travel videos on YouTube). Write a detailed description of your story. Explain what the money will be used for (e.g. tuition, program fees, cultural activities, airfare, housing, etc.). Explain aspects of your program including subjects you will study and places you will visit. Post fun facts about the host city and country.
Say thank you right away! Post updates & comments. Keep track of who donated so you can send them a postcard from abroad. Share the campaign across social media sites & by email. Make your Facebook cover photo a picture of the host country. Post your funding info. Make a TikTok video.
Remember, if you need to cancel your trip, you should return all monies that were donated.
Financial Literacy Resources
Learn the skills and access resources to make smart financial decisions, like budgeting, saving, spending, investing, borrowing, and using credit wisely. Sign up for a FREE CashCourse account and start learning today!
Financial Literacy Workshops and Events
Attend a variety of virtual and in-person Financial Literacy Workshops/Events to help you budget for your study abroad program!
FundMyTravel
FundMyTravel is a platform created for travelers, by travelers and with unique functions, allowing you to designate how much funding you need to raise for specific purposes. You can upload photos, videos and trip information, then share your page with family, friends, and other donors through social media, blogging and email.
GoFundMe
GoFundMe is fundraising site for personal causes and life-events. Millions have raised more than $4 billion on GoFundMe for the things that matter to them most.
Plumfund
Plumfund offers free online crowdfunding.
Donate Plasma
Earn some money for your time while donating plasma which will be used to make life-changing medications for people who suffer from a host of serious illnesses and conditions.
File Your Tax Returns Early!
The sooner you file, the sooner you will receive your tax refund, allowing you to put the money towards a study abroad program!
Frequent Flyer Miles
Have family and friends donate their frequent flyer miles to fund your ticket abroad!
Gift Certificates
Give the gift of education! MCC gift certificates may be purchased at Cashier Services at the Southern & Dobson and Red Mountain campuses. They have no expiration date and make great gifts for study abroad participants!
NerdWallet
Save money by using NerdWallet, a personal finance website that helps people make and manage financial decisions by comparing various products available from various banks and insurance companies.
Raise Money
- Babysitting - advertise online Nextdoor.com
- Bake sales
- Bingo night, game night tournament
- Car wash
- Create a master class and charge for it - Do you code? Do you paint? Do you sew or craft? Do you cook?
- Dog walker/feeder/caregiver
- Holiday gift wrapping service
- Host a concert, spoken, word, performance (in person or virtual)
- Mow lawns/rake leaves/general yard work - advertise online Nextdoor.com
- Online auction - auction off things you don't need anymore, artwork, etc. on Ebay
- Recycle cans
- Sip & paint
- Spaghetti dinner night, pancake breakfast, ice cream social
- Use your talent! Are you a crafter, artist, or artisan? Sell your creations using an online platform like Etsy or Ebay.
- Yard sale (in-person) - donations from neighbors, sell drinks/food
- Yard sale (online) - sell stuff on online platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Mercari, OfferUP, Poshmark
Save Money Each Paycheck and Put Into a Savings Account
If you work, save a portion from each paycheck toward the cost of your program. You can put it directly into savings so you're not tempted to spend it! One example of a simple, high-interest savings account is a SmartyPig.com account. It’s also a goal-planning system which makes it a good option for anyone who needs a little help trying to establish a savings habit.
Upromise
A college savings service where members direct their spending to Upromise partners—including more than 800 online stores, 10,000+ restaurants, grocery and drugstore items—and earn money for college.
Veterans Administration Benefits
Veterans can use their VA educational benefits to help cover tuition costs for a study abroad program. Contact Veteran Services at 480-461-7426 for information.