How to Fund Your Exchange Program

1. BUILD A BUDGET

You’re probably asking yourself, “How much will all this cost?” Whether you’re still looking for a host organization or you’re in the middle of the J-1 visa application process, it’s important to step back and create a budget.

If you’re still looking for a host organization, factor in the cost of living in different cities. A dollar can go a lot farther in Raleigh or Minneapolis than it does in New York or San Francisco! This calculator can help you compare the cost of living in different cities. You can also find detailed breakdowns of average housing, transportation, food, and entertainment costs for various cities here.

But what should you include in your budget? Here are some of the most common things you’ll want to plan for:

• Visa Fees – Besides your IA&A program fees, you’ll also need to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee ($220) and the MRV fee ($160, but Canadians are exempt from paying this fee). While these fees aren’t paid directly to IA&A, it’s important to plan for them.

• Health Insurance – All exchange visitors are required to have health insurance that meets J-1 visa requirements. This cost can vary depending on which insurance provider you choose, with plans ranging in price from $40 to $160 per month.

• Travel and Transportation – Aside from purchasing your flight to the United States, you’ll also want to consider how you’ll get around on a day-to-day basis. Are you in a big city with public transportation? Factor in funds for a subway pass or bus tickets. Are you in a smaller city without public transportation? Think about budgeting funds for a car and gas.

• Housing – Where you decide to intern or trainee will have a big impact on how much you spend on housing. Large, metropolitan cities like New York, San Francisco, and Washington, DC, have notoriously expensive housing markets.

• Food – Like housing, how much you spend on meals and groceries will vary based on where you are living.

• Entertainment – There are plenty of museums, theaters, national parks, and other attractions to discover in the United States, but you’ll want to make sure you set aside money to take advantage of them! While some museums are free or pay-what-you-wish (such as the Smithsonian museums), others will charge admission.

The process of creating a budget will help you build a more accurate idea of the total cost of your exchange program, and the areas where you may need a boost. Keep in mind that some funding and scholarship opportunities are specifically meant to cover only travel or program-related costs, so plan accordingly. This basic budget will also come in handy if you choose to apply for a grant, as they are often a required component of grant applications.

2. START AT HOME

Now that you’ve built your budget and know (roughly) how much you’ll be spending, you can start to look for specific ways to fund your exchange program!

If you’re an undergraduate, graduate, or post-graduate student, research the funding opportunities at your university. Scholarships, grants, travel stipends, or other support may be available from your university or from specific departments within your school. Depending on your field of study, you may also be eligible to earn college credit for your exchange program, which saves you money down the line.

Students and non-students alike should also search for bursaries, grants, and scholarships that may be available through your home government and/or cultural institutions. Your national institute or ministry for arts and culture may have resources to support exchange programs. You may also find that the perfect grant opportunity is available to you based on where you live, such as the Torno Subito program in Italy or the Global Training Program in the Basque Region. Other sources of funding to explore are bilateral foundations and associations between your home country and the United States.

3. LOOK FOR PAID OPPORTUNITIES

4. CROWDFUNDING

5. FIND AVAILABLE GRANTS