Didn't read the thread, but I hate when these threads pop up (usually once a year). I'm sure the kid has some cash saved up from working in the summer. Maybe mom and dad are footing the bill. Maybe he's going into credit card debt.
Everyone on these boards acts like going to Europe is as financially difficult as buying a million dollar home. When I graduated from college I traveled Europe, as do MANY college kids, on a shoe string budget. Paid for by mowing lawns the previous summer and putting as much as I could on plastic. I knew I was coming home to a job, so I didn't mind going into a little bit of debt.
I don't understand why people assume he's going to blow 100grand or something on some outlandish world trip.
He can get a round trip flight to Europe for probably between $1000 and $1500. Once there, he could easily only spend $100 a night on lodging. He has to eat whether he is in the US or Europe, so can't factor that in. All in, a 30 day trip isn't going to run him more then $5,000, and possibly cheaper if he is going with friends, sharing costs for hotels and whatnot.
Most people can scrap together, save, borrow, etc. 5 grand. Throw in the fact that I think USATF will provide some NCAA-friendly assistance, and Matt will probably break-even.