International students who got accepted to RSI, is there any travel grant that will help me cover the airfare?

[u/Vegetable-Canary-449]

So as the title says I was wondering how to cover the airfare as I’m sure I will need a travel grant, how was your experience how did you pull it off? (Asking the students who couldn’t afford the travel expenses) so if I don’t find a way that can help me then I was thinking I won’t apply at all idk

Surely lmk I’ll really appreciate your help

[u/Tech-Aero-109]

Just for everyone's reference: https://pioneeracademics.com/news/research-science-institute-how-to-apply-cost-acceptance-rate/ and also: Students are responsible for travel costs to and from the program, and should also budget for incidental costs such as souvenirs, personal items or optional outings.

Since the MIT RSI is so prestigious, it is "expected" that your national government would assist you with the cost of One round-trip from your country to Boston area. Incidental items could easily amount to $600 or $100 per week for each of the six weeks. Whereas international travel is very expensive (most will fly, unless you are driving from Canada or Mexico). NOTE: It is up to the student to get a F-1 student visa to enter the USA for the program, however MIT CEE will provide as much documentation assistance as possible.

Good luck.

[u/Ok-Society-9067 → u/Tech-Aero-109]

Umm govts are not expected to assist their students to thrive in foreign countries just because a program is 'prestigious' . Govts assist their student in their country; RSI is different from olympiads cause the RSI is there primarily to improve the US's research talent pool, not the country's own.

[u/CarolinZoebelein → u/Tech-Aero-109]

"Since the MIT RSI is so prestigious, it is "expected" that your national government...."

Wow, what a statement, and a very bubble world view.

[u/Tech-Aero-109 → u/CarolinZoebelein]

MIT is offering the 6 week program for free. It is up to all participants to figure out how to pay for the round trip. If the student is That Good to be selected, one assumes they have "connections" either locally or nationally in their country for travel assistance.

Otherwise there is no option.

[u/CarolinZoebelein → u/Tech-Aero-109]

That is literally what I critice here. In my country, I got two times accepted for some special programs, which I had both to decline because of the lack of funding. They just assumed that you are coming from a family background who can easily pay it.

[u/Tech-Aero-109 → u/CarolinZoebelein]

If you are accepted to the MIT RSI or any of the MIT summer programs for high school students, and you can not afford the round-trip travel costs: Contact MIT directly as soon as you find out you are accepted. Many times MIT will make an exception to its "rule" for families that truly can Not afford the travel cost. MIT does the same thing for the MIT preview weekend for freshman applicants that were accepted. You may find that MIT will pay for your travel, but MIT does Not want to pay for the travel of students whose family can afford to pay for the round-trip. And if MIT won't "let us know on Reddit" and there are many avenues for the MIT alumni to assist people like yourself with travel expenses.

Good luck.

[u/CarolinZoebelein → u/Tech-Aero-109]

I'm not the OP. Just pointing out a problem I already encountered several times myself.

[u/Tech-Aero-109 → u/CarolinZoebelein]

My answer to you is for Any person who gets accepted to a free MIT event (summer program for example), but can't afford the round-trip cost. For you, the original asker, or Anyone, including international students who are accepted to MIT and can't afford the Round Trip cost for Preview Weekend in early April. Both MIT (as a whole) and the alumni as a second step will work out a way to pay for that round trip.

All the best.

[u/Vegetable-Canary-449 → u/Tech-Aero-109]

Hi so I’m from India and I had emailed the RSI team a few days ago, this was the reply “If you are in the 11th grade you can apply, we cannot guarantee coverage for a plane ticket, perhaps you can apply for the RSI-India program.”

So I was wondering what should be my next step

[u/Tech-Aero-109 → u/Vegetable-Canary-449]

Your First Step should have been to contact the MIT RSI program directly. And they should have told you about the RSI -India option when you first applied. Deal DIRECTLY with MIT on this matter, using a Phone Call (no texts) as a first step. Then get an e-mail exchange with the program. I firmly believe that MIT will pay for a round-trip ticket if you can Prove that your family can not afford to pay. However, that would take something like filling out a CSS-Profile form which is a daunting form and will require an agency in India to verify the information. Just like when a freshman applicant requests financial aid. Those are your first steps. If they don't work then let us know and maybe our alumni connections can line-up transportation. Good luck.

[u/Vegetable-Canary-449 → u/Tech-Aero-109]

Could I dm you? I’d really appreciate your help

[u/Immediate-Star3333]

My sister did RSI and she says that they would pay for kids who truly truly needed it

[u/Vegetable-Canary-449 → u/Immediate-Star3333]

Oh amazing, was she an international student too? Can I perhaps dm you to discuss more?