Fundraising for University

The cost of going to university is increasingly high and can often be unrealistic for many people. In America the total cost of going to university can be anywhere between $12,320 and $48,510 per year, depending on where you go to college, your living costs, and how long your course is. In the UK, tuition alone averages £9,250 per year, with living costs and equipment on top of that.

Courses can be three or four years long, or more if you want to advance your education even further. Costs add up and can leave students struggling to pay what they owe. Many students turn to crowdfunding to help them complete their studies.

Fundraising can help students cover their tuition fees. Some students may fundraise for equipment or books they need for their course. Others might need money to fund their living costs, such as rent, food, and travel. Some may even choose to fundraise so they can study abroad or attend a university trip.

For many students, fundraising can put them in a better financial position during their studies, allowing them to focus on their course and get the most out of it. Instead of worrying about their finances or having to work long hours as well as studying, students can relax and enjoy the university experience.

Some students choose to fundraise so they don’t have as much debt when they leave university, giving them a good foundation to start their working life. Instead, they can make the most of the money they earn and focus on advancing their career.

Let’s take a look at two GoGetFunding campaigns that helped people to follow their dreams:

Vanda was accepted to study an MA in directing and theatre at the Royal Institute for Theatre Cinema and Sound (RITCS) in Brussels. Expanding on her creative skills was her dream, but she was unable to afford the tuition.

She turned to GoGetFunding and raised 114% of her goal, allowing her to follow her dream!

After Paulina completed her undergraduate degree, she was offered a place at the University of Cambridge to advance her scientific and mathematical studies. Paulina wanted to use her studies to contribute to making the world a better place, with a particular focus on global warming.

Without access to a student loan or financial help from loved ones, Paulina turned to GoGetFunding to finance her living expenses while she studied. She raised an amazing €4,500!

If you’re considering fundraising for university, it’s important to set yourself up for success. Below are some basic fundraising tips to help you get started:

• Use an eye-catching title: Make your campaign title clear, to the point, and eye-catching to give yourself the best chance of catching the attention of potential donors.

• Be passionate about your studies: In your campaign story, speak openly and clearly about your studies. Explain what your goals are and be passionate. It’s important potential donors know how much this means to you so you can connect with them emotionally.

• Talk about your plans for the future: Mention your plans and goals for the future, for example, what you want to do when you’ve finished your course and how university will help you achieve those goals. This helps your audience to understand how serious and dedicated you are to the course. They can rest assured that they are making an investment in your future.

• Be clear about where the money will go: Be as clear as possible about how you will spend the money, for example, whether it’s going on tuition or living costs. The more specific the better. You could even break down costs into a list. This reassures donors about how their money will be spent and builds trust.

• Set a realistic goal with a deadline: Choose a goal that will cover your costs but that’s achievable. Set an end date for your campaign, as this increases urgency and encourages donations.

• Use pictures and videos: Including relevant pictures and videos in your campaign is another great way to connect with the audience emotionally and attract attention to your campaign.

• Promote your campaign: Being proactive in running your campaign is crucial: it takes hard work to reach your goal. Tell your loved ones about your campaign and ask them to share the link with as many people as possible. Share your link on all your social media platforms, posting about it regularly to attract attention.
  
  You could put up flyers in your school, college, or university. You could even ask local businesses if they’ll display a flyer about your cause.

• Run fundraising events: Fundraising events are a great way to attract attention and generate donations. Get creative and get as many people involved as possible.

• Keep donors up to date: Once someone has donated, they will be invested in your campaign. You can use GoGetFunding’s handy update feature to keep them up to date about the campaign’s progress and how things are going as you settle into university.

Aside from fundraising, there are a variety of other ways you may be able to get help with university costs. You may be able to get student loans or grants. Some universities may offer scholarships or hardship funds for those with low income. Local charities may offer some assistance and in some industries, local companies might sponsor university students.

There may be access to schemes to get second-hand equipment and books, or to get assistance with food and rent. These all depend on your circumstances, where you live, and which university you’re attending, but be sure to do some research and see what’s available to you.

Don’t give up on your dream of going to university: there are plenty of ways you can achieve your goals, including crowdfunding!

References

Laura Bridgestock, (2021), “How Much Does It Cost To Study In The US?” TopUniversities.com

Tom Allingham, (2021), “How much does university cost?” Save The Student.