Finances / Fees

Why Pay to be a Volunteer?

VIP's goal is to serve the world community by building partnerships between willing volunteers and carefully selected host projects. VIP sending and receiving offices are non-profit organizations and programs are fully funded by participant fees.  Host project organizations are never asked to contribute to or absorb the direct costs associated with receiving a volunteer.  

Your fee pays for your direct program costs such as orientation, language training, materials, host family and project screening, local transportation, food, lodging and ongoing program monitoring. To provide participants with a consistently high quality program, VIP organizations must also maintain a proper infrastructure and cover general administrative costs including rent, salaries, record keeping, communication, and information services.  Some partial scholarships may be available. Contact the VIP office in your home country to inquire.

Program Fees

Costs vary depending on the location and length of program you choose.  On the OVERVIEW page for each country you will find information about specific program options, fees, what is included and what is not included.

Payment Schedule

A deposit of 20% of the total program fee is required with your application.   It is non-refundable upon notification of acceptance and is applied to the total program fee.  
The balance of the program fee is required at least 30 days prior to departure.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation after acceptance and prior to placement confirmation – the deposit is forfeited.
Cancellation after confirmation of placement – 50% of the program fee is forfeited.
No Show or Early Departure from Program – 100% of the program fee is forfeited.