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GSM Sponsorship Application
Click here to understand what the GSM Sponsorship is.
Good Samaritan Missions (GSM) is pleased to be able to provide a partnership with students and their families and friends for the purpose of providing financial aid for international student service projects. In order to ensure a clear understanding for all concerned, please read carefully the following description of this sponsorship program.
All potential ISL student team members are eligible to secure financial aid through what is called the GSM Sponsorship Program. Requests for student aid are made through letters that students mail out to family and friends, churches, synagogues, and community service organizations. GSM writes the letters and makes the appeal on behalf of the student. Donations in the student's name can be made online or mailed to GSM in self-addressed envelopes provided by GSM. Upon request, GSM will be happy to provide interested students with more detailed instructions on how to begin this process.
IRS rules require that students make a "significant contribution" to the cost of their trip, since the trip also benefits them personally (through academic opportunities, travel experience, recreational activities, etc). This "significant contribution" is the airfare. This means that a student may use GSM donations made in their name for the full cost of the ISL program, less airfare. All donations need to be received by GSM no later than 45 days after the team returns home. Funds received after that date will not be credited to the student's account. Refunds are completed and sent out within 90 days after the team returns home.
GSM makes no representation or guarantee as to the amount of funds a student may receive through this program. All participants must be aware, therefore, that they are responsible for the full amount of their trip cost, regardless of the success (or lack thereof) of this program.
If, for any reason, the student is unable to follow through on their travel plans with ISL, sponsorship funds already collected will be used for GSM programs. If students or donors prefer that these funds be refunded to the donors, 85% of the funds made in the student's name can be refunded ONLY upon written request from the donors. These written requests must be initiated by the student, not by GSM.
In keeping with 501(c)3 standards, up to fifteen percent of all sponsorship funds received by GSM will be retained for medical, optical, dental, or veterinary supplies and equipment, and administrative overhead. This means that 85% of all sponsorship donations received by GSM in your name will be applied to your project expenses. Please note that any excess sponsorship GSM funds under $50 will be used to help purchase medical supplies for students to do clinics in the countries ISL students serve. Any excess sponsorship GSM funds over $50 will be refunded to the student at the closing of that team. Foreign students: please note that your donations will reflect an additional charge due to foreign exchange rate charges between banks.
Also note that donors to this program will be contacted at a later date to provide them with an additional opportunity to support GSM projects.