$2495 + tuition (currently $110/credit)
Includes:
Transportation (round trip air fare to and from Salt Lake, bus/boat fare, airport
taxes)
All meals in MesoAmerica
Lodging in MesoAmerica
Entrance fees/tickets to mandatory attractions
Does not include:
Souvenirs, film, camera, snacks
Passport application fee
Extra activities you’ll want to do during free time
Books, supplies for classes
Expenses for your time in Rexburg (We suggest you stay with a friend, bishop,
or professor)
You may pay for the tour in one lump sum or use the following payment schedule:
$300 deposit, due at time of registration
$700 by January 10
$700 by February 1
$795 by March 1
Payment of the non-refundable deposit ($300) secures your space. In the case of cancellation on your part (no matter the cause), students will lose the deposit as well as any additional costs already incurred. However, every effort will be made to hold losses to a minimum.
Scholarships:
BYU-Idaho: Your academic scholarships can continue through the summer to pay for your tuition. You should check with the financial aid office to ensure that your account is credited as it should be.
Hometown. There may be scholarships (either general ones or some specifically for travel) from your hometown. Check with your former high school guidance counselor and/or with local benevolent organizations.
Yourself: Get a job now and save until May.
Grants and Loans:
Uncle Sam. If you haven’t filled out financial aid papers for this year, you should. You might be eligible for government grants (which you don’t have to pay back) or loans (which you pay back when out of school).
Banks. You might also get a regular bank loan which you’ll need to pay off right away. I know of 4-5 students who have done this in the past (taken out a loan and worked it off that very summer).
Parents. If your parents don’t want to give you the money to travel, ask
if they’ll lend you the money. Draw up a tentative contract, propose a
payment schedule, etc.
Donations:
Family. Rich aunts, uncles, and grandparents love these kind of trips. If they’re not rich, maybe they’ll hold bake sales or garage sales in your behalf (seriously). Donations are NOT tax deductible.
Businesses and benevolent organizations in your hometown:
Timing. You should first be signed up for the tour. If you want to “put out feelers” to get an idea of how many donations you might receive, that’s okay, but don’t ask for the money until you’ve signed up.
Who. 1) Hometown businesses in which you know somebody (the dentist office where your sister works; the law office where your Relief Society President is a partner, the construction company owned by your bishop, your parents’ employers; etc.). This is called networking. 2) Hometown businesses in which you don’t know anybody, but which you know have a good community endowment or community giving program. 3) Hometown benevolent or business organizations-Eagles, Elks, Lions, Soroptomists, Masons, Rotary, Grange, Chamber of Commerce, DAR, VFW, etc. Talk to people you know who are members of these organizations.
Demeanor. You must do this properly. Go to the business or organization with a written proposal and explain to them how the program will help your education. Be confident and dress nicely. At the same time, be humble (and thank them profusely). Remember that you represent BYU-Idaho and the LDS church. Although you might talk to them by phone for a preliminary introduction, you should meet them in person.
Obligation. After your trip you might have to speak with the local newspaper and mention your sponsors, or you may need to give a presentation to the benevolent organization (be prepared to take or make slides). Suggest something if they don’t.
Verification. If donors need a letter verifying that this is indeed an academic program, I will be happy to provide you with one to give to them. If they prefer not to give you the money directly, they can make the check payable to BYU-Idaho and send it to me, Joelle Moen, English Department, BYU-Idaho, Rexburg, ID 83460-0820. Donors will receive a receipt; however, their donation is NOT tax deductible (unless they have a scholarship program already that lets them give money to a specific student). Make sure they designate that the donation is in your behalf