Raise Money for Study Abroad

Study abroad changes everything: your worldview, your resume, your confidence. It also costs a small fortune. PayIt2 helps students and families raise funds for tuition, flights, housing, and living expenses from the people who want to invest in their future.

Start a Study Abroad Campaign
Stripe-secured • No monthly fees • Funds in 2-3 days

What Study Abroad Actually Costs

Study abroad costs vary enormously by destination, program length, and university. A semester in Western Europe typically costs $15,000 to $25,000 including program fees, housing, meals, flights, and personal expenses. Programs in Latin America, Southeast Asia, or Eastern Europe are more affordable at $8,000 to $15,000. Summer programs running six to eight weeks cost $5,000 to $12,000. Full-year programs double the semester costs. These figures often include tuition that may be offset by existing financial aid or scholarships, reducing the out-of-pocket gap.

The costs beyond tuition are what catch families off guard. Round-trip international flights run $500 to $1,500 depending on destination. A student visa costs $50 to $300 depending on the country. Health insurance with international coverage adds $200 to $800 for a semester. Daily living expenses, groceries, transportation, phone plans, and the weekend travel that makes study abroad so valuable, add $200 to $500 per month. Most students spend $2,000 to $5,000 on out-of-pocket living expenses beyond program fees for a semester abroad.

Program Fees
$5,000 - $20,000
Tuition, housing, meal plan; offset by financial aid and scholarships
Flights & Visa
$500 - $1,800
Round-trip international airfare, student visa, passport if needed
Living Expenses
$2,000 - $5,000
Groceries, transit, phone, insurance, weekend travel for a semester
Total out-of-pocket
$5,000 - $25,000+
After financial aid; summer $5K-$12K; semester $8K-$25K

Family members and mentors who can't be there in person often express support through financial contributions. A PayIt2 campaign with a compelling story about the student's goals and the program's value gives grandparents, aunts, uncles, family friends, and church communities a tangible way to invest in a young person's education and future. Launch your study abroad campaign and give friends and family a concrete way to help.

For strategies on writing a personal fundraising appeal that resonates with donors:

Read: Building a Launch List Before Going Live

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Related: Mission Trips · Group Vacations

How It Works

1

Create a Campaign

Sign up and tell your story. Include the program, destination, what you hope to study and experience, the total cost, what financial aid covers, and the gap you need help filling.

2

Share With Your Network

Send the link to grandparents, aunts, uncles, family friends, church community, mentors, and social media followers. A personal video message drives the highest engagement.

3

Collect and Explore

Contributions process securely through Stripe. Funds deposit in 2-3 business days so you can pay program deposits, book flights, and start planning your semester abroad.

Why PayIt2 for Study Abroad

Reach Your Whole Network

One link for grandparents, church families, mentors, and friends across the country. Everyone can contribute from any device without creating an account.

Personal Investment

Donors invest in a specific student's future. Share updates from abroad to show donors the impact of their generosity.

Fast Payouts

Funds in your bank in 2-3 business days. Pay program deposits, book flights, and cover visa costs on your university's timeline.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about study abroad fundraising

Start four to six months before departure, ideally as soon as you're accepted to the program. Study abroad deposits are usually due two to three months before the start date, so early fundraising ensures you can meet payment deadlines. Share the campaign at family gatherings, holiday events, and graduation parties where relatives are in a giving mood. The combination of a specific timeline and a deserving student drives fast contributions.
Generally yes, but check with your university's financial aid office. Most schools treat private gifts and family support differently from income or assets. Small contributions from many individuals typically don't affect aid eligibility. However, large gifts deposited into a student's account might be counted as resources in some aid calculations. Your financial aid counselor can advise on the best way to receive and document fundraised amounts.
Focus on the specific academic and career benefits, not just the travel experience. Mention courses that are only available abroad, language immersion that employers value, internship opportunities, and how the experience connects to your career goals. Include a quote from your academic advisor or a statistic about how study abroad alumni have higher employment rates. People give when they see it as an investment in your future, not a vacation.
Absolutely. Send campaign updates or personal messages to participants with photos and stories from your experience. This validates their investment and creates a connection that can lead to ongoing mentorship and support. Many participants are living vicariously through the student and genuinely enjoy the updates. A thank-you message with a photo from your first week abroad goes a long way.

Make Study Abroad Possible

Set up your study abroad campaign in minutes. No monthly fees, no time limits, no hidden costs. Funds in your bank in 2-3 business days.

Start a Study Abroad Campaign