Hi all...
Because of the overwhelming response to my original post - here's some more info - if you have done something like this before, or know that you can do it, please PM me...
Groupfunded bursaries / study loans
Given South Africa’s lack of educated graduates in the correct fields, how about applying crowdfunding and social networking to bursaries? Presently crowdfunding is used to raise money for creating books, movies, music or electronic gadgets. Or to raise money for various worthy causes.
What if the same principle is used to raise money for students that has put in the time and effort to achieve university exemption, but don’t have the funds for studies? And the social networking part will give feedback to the “crowd” funding them… But it has to be EASY to use and administrate! And a SIMPLE solution to link needy students with donors – min admin required and no middleman!
A quick overview:
- The student / prospective student creates a profile on a website / Facebook app. This profile also includes a brief write-up about him/herself, and then list the field of study they wish to pursue. The “field of study” is a drop-down list based on the scarce skills that South Africa needs – the almost one million skilled vacancies that SA has… This will be first priority for study and bursaries/loans.
- And of course the students must prove that they would be able to start and complete this course. A possible solution is to have their last few semester marks available to crowdfunders (but not to general public?)
- Then, after each semester, the student’s profile is updated with their newest marks, which is visible to their crowdfunders or perhaps to all. This would, in effect keep the student responsible for the money funded to them. As people will have the opportunity to end their sponsorships after each semester, or to go ahead with it.
- Each student can (and most probably will) send their profile to friends and family to sponsor, until their goal is reached. Of course not all information would be publicly visible – the student themselves would decide how much or how little info is shown. And crowdfunders needs to register to see more info & to sponsor someone.
- After the student has completed their diploma/certificate course or degree, and found suitable employment, the growdfunded bursary/loan has to be paid back of course. The crowdfunders should have a choice if they want the money back, or if it can be used for further bursaries? People would be willing to forego the repayment if they can get a donation certificate that can be given to SARS for tax relief?
- One could also use a SMS short code service to collect monies? As just about everyone has one these days. Then SMS short codes for a R5 to R50 monthly donation could be created?
- To throw around some figures, if just 1% of SA’s 50 million people could give R50 a month, then it works out to 500 000 x R50 = R25 000 000 a month. R300M a year! Surely enough to help a few thousand students to reach for their dream?
Can this be done?
Obviously I'd need a web dev, who also has a bit of DB knowledge to create the profiles. Social network interfacing would also be needed. Experience with working with sensitive info would be great as well. A graphic designer would also be needed to create the logos and any art for the site. Also - advice on best hosting solution for all parties involved would also be welcomed...
I'd need to see some of your past work, as well as a CV & contactable references.
And after selection & before work starts, we'd need to sit together and work out what all the costs will be - to get a ballpark figure, and then also link project milestones to payments...
The MVP for this would be a simple website, but because of the sensitive info, would have to be secure as well. If/when it takes off, then a site redesign might be needed.
Any takers?
Because of the overwhelming response to my original post - here's some more info - if you have done something like this before, or know that you can do it, please PM me...
Groupfunded bursaries / study loans
Given South Africa’s lack of educated graduates in the correct fields, how about applying crowdfunding and social networking to bursaries? Presently crowdfunding is used to raise money for creating books, movies, music or electronic gadgets. Or to raise money for various worthy causes.
What if the same principle is used to raise money for students that has put in the time and effort to achieve university exemption, but don’t have the funds for studies? And the social networking part will give feedback to the “crowd” funding them… But it has to be EASY to use and administrate! And a SIMPLE solution to link needy students with donors – min admin required and no middleman!
A quick overview:
- The student / prospective student creates a profile on a website / Facebook app. This profile also includes a brief write-up about him/herself, and then list the field of study they wish to pursue. The “field of study” is a drop-down list based on the scarce skills that South Africa needs – the almost one million skilled vacancies that SA has… This will be first priority for study and bursaries/loans.
- And of course the students must prove that they would be able to start and complete this course. A possible solution is to have their last few semester marks available to crowdfunders (but not to general public?)
- Then, after each semester, the student’s profile is updated with their newest marks, which is visible to their crowdfunders or perhaps to all. This would, in effect keep the student responsible for the money funded to them. As people will have the opportunity to end their sponsorships after each semester, or to go ahead with it.
- Each student can (and most probably will) send their profile to friends and family to sponsor, until their goal is reached. Of course not all information would be publicly visible – the student themselves would decide how much or how little info is shown. And crowdfunders needs to register to see more info & to sponsor someone.
- After the student has completed their diploma/certificate course or degree, and found suitable employment, the growdfunded bursary/loan has to be paid back of course. The crowdfunders should have a choice if they want the money back, or if it can be used for further bursaries? People would be willing to forego the repayment if they can get a donation certificate that can be given to SARS for tax relief?
- One could also use a SMS short code service to collect monies? As just about everyone has one these days. Then SMS short codes for a R5 to R50 monthly donation could be created?
- To throw around some figures, if just 1% of SA’s 50 million people could give R50 a month, then it works out to 500 000 x R50 = R25 000 000 a month. R300M a year! Surely enough to help a few thousand students to reach for their dream?
Can this be done?
Obviously I'd need a web dev, who also has a bit of DB knowledge to create the profiles. Social network interfacing would also be needed. Experience with working with sensitive info would be great as well. A graphic designer would also be needed to create the logos and any art for the site. Also - advice on best hosting solution for all parties involved would also be welcomed...
I'd need to see some of your past work, as well as a CV & contactable references.
And after selection & before work starts, we'd need to sit together and work out what all the costs will be - to get a ballpark figure, and then also link project milestones to payments...
The MVP for this would be a simple website, but because of the sensitive info, would have to be secure as well. If/when it takes off, then a site redesign might be needed.
Any takers?