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Costa Rica: Field Research in the Environment, Social Sciences, & Humanities

San José & field sites, Costa Rica

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 2011

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-ACM colleges $16,700 $1,800 Additional tuition charges and/or fees for off-campus study are likely to apply at most colleges.  These additional campus charges typically relate 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.
Students from ACM colleges $15,000 $1,800

Spring trimester program

Students from non-ACM colleges $11,700 $1,300 Additional tuition charges and/or fees for off-campus study are likely to apply at most colleges.  These additional campus charges typically relate 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.
Students from ACM colleges $10,500 $1,300

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
Passport $100
Visa N/A
Pre-departure medical costs Varies
Airfare $350
Local transportation
$85-110
Personal expenses $800-1,600
Meals $500-675
Books and supplies $75
Other $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.

Refund Policies

Please check with your college for information concerning withdrawals and campus refund policies.

Costa Rica: Field Research in the Environment, Social Sciences, & Humanities

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Nicole Nemeth, Science Fellow, Wildlife Disease Program, Natl. Wildlife Research Center, USDA/APHIS My experience with the ACM Costa Rica Field Research program was paramount to forming my career interests. The program immersed all of the students, many of us on our first real international experience, into a new and exciting world. It was extremely well-organized and carried out; the staff created an ideal atmosphere for learning and developing, and the Costa Rican families that allowed us into their lives were also extremely supportive. We were allowed time and provided guidance in developing and carrying out our own independent research project, and this for me was a very important achievement. ACM helped me realize that I wanted to attend veterinary school, followed by graduate school; I always look back to ACM as my first step toward a research career.

—Nicole Nemeth, Science Fellow, Wildlife Disease Program, Natl. Wildlife Research Center, USDA/APHIS, Costa Rica, Spring 1994

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