Our Beginning

PayEDU, LLC was founded in 2017 by Dr. Shea Burden with a vision to make education more accessible and financially sustainable. Drawing from her own experience of graduating debt-free through scholarships and employer tuition assistance, Dr. Shea recognized that many passionate lifelong learners faced significant student loan debt. To address this challenge, PayEDU began by offering financial literacy programs, personalized budgeting training, and an innovative student loan crowdfunding platform. This platform allowed graduates to receive meaningful contributions from family and friends, helping them reduce or eliminate student debt. From the start, PayEDU’s mission was clear: to remove financial barriers to education and empower individuals to pursue their dreams.

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Expanding Horizons

In 2021, Dr. Shea completed her Ph.D. in Accounting and assumed the role of Director of the Copeland Scholars Honors Program at Ohio University. There, she introduced the Legacy Project—a capstone experience focused on the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals. This initiative marked a turning point in her teaching philosophy, broadening her focus to global impact and cultural understanding. Her passion for immersive learning experiences grew as she traveled to Botswana, Dubai, Hungary, Japan, Norway, and South Africa, gaining firsthand insight into diverse cultures and educational systems.

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A Global Vision

These experiences inspired Dr. Burden to expand PayEDU’s offerings beyond financial education. She began designing high-impact programs for middle school, high school, and college students that combined cultural immersion with financial literacy and global sustainability themes. These programs, typically 10 to 14 days in duration, provide students with transformative experiences that foster cross-cultural understanding, leadership skills, and a sense of global responsibility.

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Our Mission Today

In 2023, PayEDU redefined its core mission and values to reflect this expanded vision. Today, we focus on three pillars: Financial Literacy, Global Sustainability Impact, and Customized Cultural Immersion Programs. Our curated experiences—primarily in Botswana and South Africa—offer students the opportunity to engage deeply with local communities, learn about global challenges, and develop practical skills for a connected world. At PayEDU, we believe education should not only open doors but also build bridges across cultures, creating a future where learning and global citizenship go hand in hand.

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