Cost
The total amount students must pay to participate in an off-campus study program varies from college to college, as does the availability of financial aid for off-campus study. These campus policies are often based on the specific curricular goals established at each college. Depending on the policies of a student’s home college, charges for off-campus study may be based upon the program’s cost, or may be based upon the college’s own tuition. Additionally, some colleges may assess special fees for off-campus study.
As a result, students should check with their Off-Campus Study Office and their Financial Aid Office to confirm how their college charges students for off-campus study programs, what additional campus fees may apply, and how financial aid may be used toward the cost of their program.
Spring 2013
| Category of student |
Educational Costs*
|
Program Fee
(Includes housing, partial meals, laundry, HTH insurance, and visa-related expenses)
|
Campus tuition charges and/or fees*
|
Full spring semester program
| Students from non-affiliated colleges |
$16,200* |
$2,300 |
Varies (see below)*
|
| Students from affiliated colleges |
$15,300*
|
$2,300 |
Varies (see below)* |
| Students from ACM colleges |
$14,500* |
$2,300 |
Varies (see below)* |
| *Many colleges assess additional fees or charge students full home college tuition instead of the ACM Educational Costs. This typically relates to expenses for academic support services and the awarding of academic credit and/or financial aid. Please consult your Financial Aid office or Off-Campus Study office for more details about your college's policies, and to find out what you will be charged for the program. |
Spring trimester program
| Students from non-affiliated colleges |
$11,300* |
$1,700 |
Varies (see below)* |
| Students from affiliated colleges |
$10,700*
|
$1,700 |
Varies (see below)* |
| Students from ACM colleges |
$10,100* |
$1,700 |
Varies (see below)* |
| *Many colleges assess additional fees or charge students full home college tuition instead of the ACM Educational Costs. This typically relates to expenses for academic support services and the awarding of academic credit and/or financial aid. Please consult your Financial Aid office or Off-Campus Study office for more details about your college's policies, and to find out what you will be charged for the program. |
In addition to the costs listed above, there are additional expenses prior to departure and during the time in Costa Rica that students should make sure to budget for accordingly. The figures provided below are estimates given by past students and vary depending on your lifestyle and budget.
Click here for printable cost sheets.
| Additional expenses |
Estimated amount to budget
(Spring semester)
|
Estimated amount to budget
(Spring quarter/trimester) |
| Passport |
$135 |
$135 |
| Visa |
N/A |
N/A |
| Pre-departure medical costs |
Varies |
Varies |
| Airfare |
$600 |
$600 |
Local transportation
|
$150
|
$85 |
| Personal expenses |
$500-1,500 |
$500-1,500 |
| Meals |
$400
|
$300 |
| Books and supplies |
$20-50 |
$20-50 |
| Other |
$50 |
$50 |
Note: Upon acceptance to the program, students will be required to pay a $400 deposit, which will be applied toward the program fee.
Scholarship Information
Though ACM does not offer scholarships for their off-campus study programs, we encourage students to seek outside scholarship funding to help finance their experience. For a variety of links to outside scholarship sources for off-campus study, please go to the scholarship information page.
Program credit
All students who complete an ACM off-campus study program receive a grade report which lists their courses, credits, and grades. Most colleges accept this grade report as an official academic document. If a college requires an official academic transcript, ACM can arrange to have a transcript issued through Beloit College for a $350 processing fee. To request an official transcript, students must make a formal request through ACM.
Refund Policy
Please refer to the ACM Program Payment Policies sheet for information concerning cancellation and refund policies.