Solve Student Education Woes with Crowdfunding

Education could transform society for the better. Think about how an educated person brings value by understanding other people, cultures, and enabling oneself to sustain, thereby helping the cause of socio-economic equality. A good education provides essential skills to a student to earn a livelihood and ensure the ill effects of poverty do not engulf his/her physical and mental health. Education reduces the probability of social exclusion based on social and financial differences among people. Knowing the benefits of education, it should be available to every child. 

Unfortunately, education has become a privilege. It is not equally accessible and affordable for all. Lack of financial support is one key roadblock in the journey of education.
 

Why is education eluding students?

We have seen many bright and deserving students drop-out from studies. One primary reason for this abrupt discontinuation of education is the lack of financial support from family. Expenses of education are not limited to tuition fees. It includes mandatory accessories like books, clothes or uniforms, accommodation, etc. Also, co-curricular activities like sports or educational tours or trips are part of students’ academic needs. All these are part of education expenses.

While government schemes, public and private scholarships, etc., are helping this cause of providing financial support to students, many students are still at risk of not pursuing their education. A large population of our country has insufficient economic resources. Many face the constraints of parents who either undermine the importance of education, particularly girl child education or do not have the financial mettle to fulfil their children's education expenses. These are some of the reasons why many deserving students do not complete their education.

What is the solution for students?

Should the future of students continue to be constrained by economic resources? Why do the bright minds of our country need to give up their dreams of a better life? Is there anything that we could do in our small capacities? The statement stands true today that 'Where there is a will, there is a way.’ The intent of 'I' could be worked together with 'we.’ That is the power of education crowdfunding. It is a solution to many student problems related to education. Many good samaritans are helping this purpose by mobilising personal and public resources.

Crowdfunding: Compounding power of people

Crowdfunding provides a plethora of opportunities for students to support their education requirements. The way crowdfunding works is simple yet very powerful. For example, a student's annual education expense is a large sum of money. Still, it is not a burden for one person or a few people when it is divided into small voluntary contributions donated by kind donors. It is not a burden for one person or a few people.  Crowdfunding creates help for students through contributions from like-minded people who want to help a good cause.

Let us see what crowdfunding could do for students.

• Fund the tuition fees, educational accessories, field trips, etc. As a student, you could raise money for any cause that is curricular or co-curricular.
• Uplift education facilities like school infrastructure, resources like projectors, computers, etc. As an individual or along with a group of people like NGOs, you could support such a cause.
• Nurture hobbies, research interests, higher education or continuing education avenues, etc. You could help yourself as well as your friends and peers through such fundraisers.
• Drive dreams of participating in competitions, conferences, workshops, volunteering, etc. Your ideas and innovations need not wait for want of funds; crowdfund, crowdfund your dreams.

FUND for student education is one direct contribution of crowdfunding. However, there are indirect yet significant secondary contributions to a crowdfunded student’s social and emotional aspects. He/ she feels the importance of a helpful society and understands what it means to collaborate for a cause.

Crowdfunding platforms like Ketto provide simple stepwise guidance to students for starting their fundraiser campaigns. Such platforms ensure transparent and trusted financial transactions. Most importantly, they give the students hope and means to realise that hope.

Irrespective of students’ geographic location, family background, family background, and value of funds required, a crowdfunding campaign could support students’ education requirements.

When and how to call-out  for crowdfunding

Crowdfunding is not mere charity. It is a social cause movement. Therefore, it needs to be exercised with due diligence and empathy. Students, friends, family, or well-wishers who want to crowdfund education requirements must consider the below points:

1. Utilise a genuine crowdfunding platform

Crowdfunding is based on the mutual trust of the donor and the receiver. Using a platform like Ketto provides assurance that involved parties are working with the aligned purpose of helping the needy without vested interest to make profits or deceiving anyone.

2. Understand crowdfunding is a remote fundraiser

Today most crowdfunding happens online. This ensures more extensive reach out through netizens and easy fund transfers. As it is a remote fundraiser, due details of the fund’s purpose must be explained in the request for crowdfunding to understand and support the cause.

3. Distinguish 'required' from 'good to have'

Crowdfund is similar to public money, and therefore, it is essential to ensure that it serves the right purpose. Many donors support reputed platforms like Ketto, so the student intending to crowdfund should set the right expectations of what should be funded. For example, investing in a laptop for educational use is essential while choosing between a high-end laptop vs a fit-for-purpose laptop.

In summary, crowdfunding is empowering students to chase their dreams with determination and the certainty of receiving help from people who resonate with this purpose. Crowdfunding is a ray of hope for many students that would enlighten their lives and make them the beacons of hope for future generations. This is a chain reaction of goodness and happiness that starts from one and spreads to everyone involved.