I'm considering taking a gap year to do volunteer work abroad, but I need funding support. Are there scholarships or financial aid options specifically for international volunteer projects?
Yes, there are indeed several scholarships and financial aid options available for individuals interested in international volunteer work. Some well-known ones include The Projects Abroad Scholarship, Global Vision International Scholarship, and the Volunteer Forever Travel Scholarship.
The Projects Abroad Scholarship is awarded based on financial need and the potential impact on both the community and the individual volunteering. They award up to $5,000 for projects in various areas, such as teaching, conservation, or healthcare.
Global Vision International (GVI) offers the GVI Scholarship fund to support underrepresented groups in international volunteering. This can offer up to 100% coverage of the program fees for the focus areas of women’s empowerment, racial and ethnic diversity, people with disabilities, and others.
Volunteer Forever, which is an online platform dedicated to international volunteering and travel, gives away scholarships up to $2000 for individuals planning to volunteer, study, intern, or teach abroad.
Please ensure to check each individual scholarship for their respective application requirements and deadlines. It's also crucial to confirm if the volunteer project you're interested in is eligible under the terms of the scholarship. Applications tend to require personal statements or essays, so it's a good idea to prepare ahead of time and demonstrate your motivation and the potential impact of your volunteer work.
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