For Students
BackThis was built for students like you — accepted to college but facing a financial gap. Here's everything you need to know.
BackThis is a platform that helps you create a fundraising page for your education expenses. You share your story, list exactly what you need (tuition, housing, books), and share your page with the people who care about you. They can contribute directly — every dollar goes to your bank account through Stripe.
Unlike general crowdfunding platforms, BackThis is designed specifically for education. Contributors see exactly where their money goes — not just a total, but itemized expenses. That transparency is what builds trust and drives contributions.
BackThis is for any student who has been accepted to a college or university and needs help covering the cost. You might have scholarships and financial aid that cover part of it, but there's still a gap. That gap is what BackThis helps you close.
You must be at least 13 years old to use BackThis. If you're under 18, a parent or guardian will need to consent and manage your Stripe account.
It's free to create a page. There are no setup fees, no monthly fees, and no hidden charges. BackThis takes a 5% platform fee on each contribution, and Stripe charges approximately 2.9% + 30¢ for payment processing. That means on a $100 contribution, about $91.80 goes to you.
See our pricing page for a full breakdown.
You keep everything. There's no all-or-nothing threshold — every dollar someone contributes is yours. If you raise $2,000 of a $10,000 goal, that $2,000 is still in your bank account. Every bit helps.
Your page includes your name, the school you've been accepted to, your story (through our guided prompts), and your itemized funding goal. You control what you share. We never display your date of birth, email, or guardian information publicly.
The guided prompts ask about your school, your goals, the challenges you've faced, and what it would mean to attend. You don't have to write a long essay — just answer honestly. That's what resonates with people.
Every contribution goes through Stripe directly to your connected bank account. BackThis never holds or controls your funds. Stripe typically deposits funds within 2-7 business days, depending on your bank.
If you're under 18, your parent or guardian sets up and manages the Stripe account. They receive the funds and are responsible for using them for education expenses.
Be honest and specific in your story. People connect with real stories, not polished pitches. Tell them why this school matters to you, what you want to study, and what challenges you've overcome. The more personal and specific you are, the more people will want to help.
Share your page widely. Send it to family, friends, teachers, coaches, neighbors, your church community, your parents' coworkers — anyone who has been part of your life. Use the pre-written messages we provide for text, Instagram, and email.
Share more than once. People are busy. A reminder a few days later often gets more contributions than the first share. Don't be afraid to post updates as you make progress toward your goal.