FAB Frequently Asked Questions
Programs are open to all undergraduate students regardless of major, concentration, or GPA.
Students can apply on SyncDIN by searching for “Furman Alternative Breaks”. Applications for participants are due on November 26th, 2020.
Applications will be available one semester prior to the trip. As part of the application process, students will write several short essays about their interest in the alternative break to accompany general and demographic information. Students will be notified via email of their application status approximately two weeks after the application period closes.
We strive to keep our trips affordable. All trips require a $25 fee to secure a spot on the trip after a student has received their trip assignment, and an additional $75 four weeks before trips leave. Fees are subject to change year to year.
FAB has created its own scholarship fund. There are 4 scholarships that we offer:
- Spring Mover & Shaker: Full scholarship (awarded before trips). Applications open 11/1/19-11/26/19
- Most Transformed Breaker: Partial scholarship (awarded after trips). Applications open 3/16/20-4/17/20
- Spring Promoter: Full scholarship (awarded after trips). Applications open 3/16/20-4/17/20
- Trip Leader of the Year: Partial scholarship (awarded after trips). Applications open 3/16/20-4/17/20
All applications can be found on SyncDIN (separate from trip applications). There will be a few other questions you’ll need to answer on the application. After all the applications are in, we will read through them and offer scholarships based on quality of submission, need, and availability of funds.
By accepting the spot on the trip, a student has taken that space away from another student. Most importantly, we do not want to be in the business of deciding what is a “good” reason to drop and what is a “bad” reason. Therefore, we apply the no refund rule equally to everyone who drops.
The qualifications to be a trip leader are:
- Must be in good academic and disciplinary standing with the University (conduct records will be checked). Preference will be given to students with at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA.
- Knowledge, passion, and commitment for social issues and social change.
- Self-motivated and organized, including the ability to meet deadlines.
- Ability to lead and hold accountable, a group of peers by creating an energized, comfortable, safe, and inclusive environment.
- Ability to work with diverse populations.
Students can apply to be a trip leader on SyncDIN by searching for “Furman Alternative Breaks”. Applications for trip leaders are due on November 8th. Interviews will be held on November 12-15.
Great! First, make sure you note that on your application so your leader can plan accordingly when shopping for food. The program will make every accommodation possible, but understand that we adhere to ‘simple living’ standards which means only $6 per day for food is budgeted for every individual participant. That often means we eat a lot of spaghetti, sandwiches, granola bars and other easy, inexpensive options. No one goes hungry, but we try to live simply so we can better serve those around us. Simple menus help us keep our trip costs low — it is one reason our trips are among the most affordable in the nation. If your food accommodations require more expensive items, you may be asked to supply some of those.
This is a University sponsored event, so alcohol and drugs are prohibited at all times.
All trip costs are covered by your FAB fees. However, if you would like to buy extra food beyond the meals and snacks provided or mementos from the trip, then you might want to bring a little bit of extra money.
Information coming soon!
We encourage all participants and trip leaders bring their full selves to the trip and focus on the experience. However, we understand that it might be helpful to do school work on the trip. Most of this will depend on your trip’s schedule. Ask your trip leaders if there will be any “down” time that you can use to do homework.