traveling abroad: creating bridges over financial barriers
As you can imagine, the cost of travel is one of the greatest challenges students face when trying to travel abroad. Students who are the first in their families to travel, there often aren’t aware of how much the entirety of a trip abroad may cost. From transit to lodging to passports to insurance, the expenses add up. There are also instances when students have to forfeit travel for work-study or on-campus jobs. For many black and brown students working through college is a reality and they can’t afford to drop their jobs for an opportunity to study abroad. Here at Too Fly Foundation, we aim to be a resource for students to be able to see the world. In this article, we will explore resources that will bridge the financial gap and help to alleviate some of the financial burdens.
Student Aid
Don’t let cost be a deterrent for studying abroad. Student aid is a viable option for students to take advantage of. Student federal loans or FAFSA can be used to cover study abroad opportunities just as it would cover a regular semester of schooling. Additionally, be sure to contact your offices of education as some institutions provide in-state tuition to students that study abroad, even if they are out-of-state residents.
Be aware that financial aid may cover tuition for study abroad, but may not cover ancillary costs like flights, insurance, lodging, food, luggage, and travel necessities.
Scholarships
Scholarships are another option for bridging the financial gap. There are tons of programs that provide aid to students studying abroad or looking to travel. For example, Too Fly Foundation has a scholarship application process for passports and travel grants. In 2022, Too Fly awarded $50,000 in scholarship funds to students and organizations. Another scholarship that you may not be aware of is Education First Tours Global Citizen Scholarship Fund, each year they give $1,000 to up to 100 students.
These are only two examples of scholarship opportunities out of many. You can also leverage study abroad providers like CEA for flight credits ( be sure to check the requirements for applying). Be encouraged, there is lots of funding available, it's just about knowing where to find it.
Too Fly’s application pool opens in August 2023. Stay tuned for more information!
Travel Planning
Think about travel planning. If studying abroad or traveling internationally is something you or a student you know is interested in, start planning! Once you know where you're going or where you'd like to go, start looking at costs. There is nothing like starting a savings fund for a trip you’re looking to take.
think about things like the cost of travel, the cost of lodging, and a budget for food and fun. once you sum up the total cost of the trip, develop a savings fund specifically for that trip.
Cutting a few expenses here and there can go a long way in giving a jumpstart for an opportunity abroad.
Travel Hacks
We love a great travel hack! Start with something easy like tracking flight deals. Use apps like Hopper, Skyscanner, and Google Flights to alert you of the best deals.
If you or someone in your family has a travel rewards credit card use it to its fullest benefit. It may also be helpful to research travel insurance. Companies like Battleface (a travel insurance company) offer top-tier coverage for any trip. Travel insurance is important because it can protect students from any unforeseen expenses that could interrupt their travel.
Although this list is not exhaustive, these are some of the bridges that may help to reduce the financial burden of travel for students and their families. These resources along with tons of others can be a starting point for a student’s next adventure. Too Fly wants students to be able to see the world–and the world to be able to see these students!
