Frequently Asked Questions about Sponsor an AFSer
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Frequently Asked Questions
This page details some frequently asked questions (FAQ) and their corresponding responses. |
Aren’t we already giving financial aid?
Yes, but our scholarship funds are insufficient to meet families’ demonstrated need. For example, as of this writing, the maximum available to a 2009-departure, semester-program student who wins the AFS Global Leaders Scholarship is $2700, while tuition for most semester programs is $8900 or $9900. Families need help to bridge that gap.
How does a candidate get featured on the site?
At this point, candidates must be referred by a volunteer or advisor to be featured. Candidates should contact Kirsten Merrell in AFS Student Services (scholarships@afs.org). AFS Student Services reviews and approves candidate requests, and posts them to the site.
Can any student participate? Must the students on this site demonstrate financial need?
Regardless of need, any student who has completed a full application for an AFS program and submitted supplementary information for the site may request up to $1000 in sponsorship. Students who have also won an AFS Global Leaders Scholarship may request more than $1000, as determined by AFS staff based on a family’s documented financial need. The AFS Global Leaders Scholarship is awarded based on a combination of merit and financial need.
Will my donation, if not designated for a particular student, go to the AFS General Fund, or will it be restricted to scholarships?
It will be restricted to scholarships. But program fees cover most of AFS’s operating costs, so your donation helps both the students and AFS!
Why isn’t it tax deductible if we choose to help a particular student?
U.S. tax codes reward donations to nonprofit organizations but not to specific individuals.
What is required of the student?
- Write a public blog entry that has their picture, describes where they want to go with AFS, and why.
- Write a thank-you entry after funding is received, and write additional blog entries about the experience periodically until the end of the program.
- Complete the full application and pay the non-refundable deposit within 30 days of receiving GL notification. If, together with the student, we cannot raise the entire scholarship goal amount, the deposit will not be returned.
- Non-Global Leaders applicants will only be able to participate if their full application is already submitted to AFS.
Can the general public access the site?
Yes. AFS candidates are encouraged to ask their family members and friends for support. We hope volunteers will help spread the word, too.
How is this resource being publicized?
- At this point, the project is still in test phase and we will likely develop the site before actively promoting this opportunity to all future AFSers.
- In early January, Sharon Held will help coordinate sending a nationwide email to volunteers, asking them to visit the map above and help by donating to the students identified there, and spread the word to their friends, encouraging them to donate.
- Featured students are encouraged to reach out to their own community supporters, using this AFS-provided platform
- We will not approach returnees and the general list of AFS donors, since they are already being targeted in separate development efforts.
Do payments made on this site go directly towards the student's AFS bill?
- Yes. However, there is currently a slight lag time between when payments are made and when the payment shows up in our accounting systems.
How can I monitor progress of a particular student?
- The ChipIn bar for each student shows (in real time) how much they have raised. A
If you have additional questions, concerns, or notice any bugs in the Sponsor an AFSer website, please contact scholarships coordinator Kirsten Merrell directly.
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