Apply to join a cohort of determined and hopeful young leaders from around the world and grow together into changemakers who will address our shared global challenges. We cast a wide net for talent and are proud to offer an admissions process that doesn’t rely on test scores, grades or a family’s financial circumstances.
Eligibility
US students who have finished high school and not yet enrolled in college
Timing
January 2022 TBD
Tuition
$32,500 with scholarships available
Application Deadline
Update in March 2021
Request InfoGlobal Citizen Year awards both merit and need-based gap year scholarships, and is committed to making this experience accessible. The full gap year's cost of tuition is $32,500. To date, 80% of our Fellows have received a partial scholarship, and 30% of those have received a full ride. We will work closely with you and your family to understand your financial need before determining your financial aid package.
During the application process, you’ll have the opportunity to fill out a simple Financial Aid Application and send us your FAFSA.
Your financial need does NOT factor into admissions decisions. Fellows are chosen according to our Selection Criteria, not their ability to pay or financial need.
If you’re admitted to Global Citizen Year, we will work with you and your family to understand your financial need before determining your financial aid package. You’ll receive your financial aid award with your admissions decision.
Each application deadline we honor exceptional applicants who have demonstrated leadership in their classroom and/or community. We are looking for students who take the initiative to stand up for what they believe and collaborate with others to make a positive impact through their leadership experience.
Each year we award up to 20 gap year scholarships between $5,000 - $15,000!
All applicants are automatically considered for the Global Changemaker Scholarship which awards up to $10,000 to a select number of Fellows who demonstrate a track record of significant leadership and entrepreneurship.
Eligibility: All applicants are eligible.
How to Apply: All applicants are automatically considered.
Students who have been admitted to and decide to defer from one of our partner colleges in order to take a gap year with us, will be awarded a $5,000 merit scholarship toward their Global Citizen Year tuition.
Eligibility: Students who have been admitted to and defer from one of our partner colleges. Visit our What About College page for a complete list.
How to Apply: On the application, check off any partner colleges to which you have applied.
Students with a passion for science and technology who intend to pursue a STEM degree in college are invited to apply for one of fifteen Tech For Good merit scholarships. The selected Tech For Good Fellows will be awarded a $10,000 scholarship toward their Global Citizen Year tuition. These Fellows will participate in a special curriculum focusing on the complex relationship between technology, poverty, and development, and explore ways to use technology to drive positive social impact.
Eligibility: US-based applicants with a passion for science and technology and intent to pursue a STEM degree in college. The deadline to apply for this opportunity is April 1, 2020.
How to Apply: Check the Tech For Good box on your application. You will then be prompted to submit a short essay response describing why you are qualified for this scholarship.
Through a partnership with United World Colleges International and patron Shelby M.C. Davis, we are offering up to 40 Davis Global Citizen Year Scholarships. Scholarships cover airfare from Global Citizen Year training in California to your host country, in-country program expenses, and room and board. These gap year scholarships are evaluated based on financial need.
Eligibility: Offered exclusively for UWC students.
How to Apply: Check the UWC Davis Scholarship box on your application.
Students who are part of College Track are eligible for a merit scholarship covering the full cost of the Global Citizen Year program.
Eligibility: Must be a College Track student
How to Apply: Check the College Track box on your application.
Global Citizen Year has cultivated a strong network of outstanding host families abroad. Your tuition includes 8 months room and board (3 meals a day) with one of our trained and vetted host families.
Unlike many gap year programs, Global Citizen Year covers the cost of your round-trip flight from our kick-off training in California to your host country and back.
Global Citizen Year covers your medical and evacuation insurance so that in the unlikely case of an emergency, you will be well taken care of.
Tuition includes on-going leadership training throughout your Global Citizen Year.
Our Team Leaders are trained youth development professionals who live in the host country and support you in engaging with your community and meeting your goals for the year. Team Leaders conduct bi-monthly check-ins and are on-call for support. We maintain an average 10:1 Fellow to Team Leader ratio.
Your tuition includes intensive language training during your first month in country and on-going weekly tutoring sessions for the following 7 months.
Global Citizen Year covers the transportation costs for Fellows to travel to/from designated locations for trainings in the host country.
To ensure Fellows can easily communicate in country, Global Citizen Year provides all Fellows with a SIM card to put in their personal phone, plus emergency phone credit. Based on financial need, Fellows may qualify for a loaner phone.
Our full tuition is $32,500, and we offer both merit and need-based scholarships. We are committed to making our program accessible, and historically, about 30% of our class have received a FULL gap year scholarship, and an additional 50% have received partial gap year scholarships. Visit our Tuition & Financial Aid page for more information about merit scholarship opportunities and what is included in tuition.
We have a selective admissions process. Of all the great students that apply to be part of our program, 25% become Global Citizen Year Fellows. We are heartened, encouraged and excited to see the growing interest in taking a gap year. Every year since our founding we have grown our Fellow cohort and we will continue to work to meet increasing demand.
Most colleges are supportive of gap years - not surprising when studies show that gap students get higher GPAs and are more active on campus. Whether you choose to defer your acceptance or to re-apply, our Director of College Admissions Guidance will support you through the process. We're also proud to offer several college partnerships.
Eligibility
Students worldwide ages 17-21
Semester
Feb 22 - May 14, 2021
Tuition
Sliding Scale from $500 - $5000
Application Deadline
Jan 25, 2021
Request InfoWe ask that you pay at the highest level of the sliding scale that you can afford. This allows other students who need to pay less the opportunity to attend. To ensure that the scholarship tiers are reserved for families with demonstrated financial need, income verification may be required. Please use the chart below to help select the tuition tier that best suits your family’s circumstance.
Annual Household Income | Tuition with Payment Plan | Tuition without Payment Plan (10% Discount) |
---|---|---|
Above $150,000 | $5000 | $4500 |
$100,000-150,000 | $2000 | $1800 |
Below $100,000 | $500 | $450 |
For details regarding the payment schedule, please click here.
Thanks to the support of our donors, we also have a limited number of need-based FULL SCHOLARSHIPS and deposit-only ($250) payment plans.
We encourage students to apply early while financial aid is most available. Global Citizen Year Academy has a generous financial aid pool, but depending on demand we cannot guarantee the availability of aid as the application period progresses.
UWC International patron Shelby M.C. Davis is pleased to offer up to 100 need-based scholarships for UWC students and alumni to participate in Global Citizen Year Academy.
The UWC Davis Scholarship will offer need-based awards that either partially or fully cover the program fees (which is $5000 at full tuition). UWC applicants will pay either $1500 or $250 in tuition, depending on their demonstrated financial need. UWC Davis Scholarships are limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
We ask you to select the highest level of tuition that you can afford. This allows others who need to pay less the opportunity to attend. To ensure that the scholarship tiers are reserved for families with demonstrated financial need, income verification may be required. Please review the below table with guidelines to help you select the price that best suits your family’s circumstance.
Annual Household Income | Tuition |
---|---|
Above $100,000 | $1500 |
Below $100,000 | $250 |
For details regarding the payment schedule, please click here.
Thanks to the support of our donors, we also have a limited number of need-based FULL SCHOLARSHIPS and deposit-only ($250) payment plans.
We encourage students to apply early while financial aid is most available. Global Citizen Year Academy has a generous financial aid pool, but depending on demand we cannot guarantee the availability of aid as the application period progresses.
Rujen Amatya,
Brazil '18
We are pleased to offer a sliding scale model for Global Citizen Year Academy with tuition ranging from $500 to $5,000 (full tuition) on a payment plan schedule. We offer a 10% discount at each tuition tier to those families who wish to pay tuition in one payment.
We ask that you pay at the highest level of the sliding scale that you can afford. This allows others who need to pay less the opportunity to attend. For more details, visit our page on Tuition & Financial Aid.
Although the full cost of tuition for the Academy is $5000, tuition is offered on a sliding scale to ensure this opportunity is accessible to the highest potential leaders, regardless of financial background. We ask that you pay at the highest level of the sliding scale that you can afford. This allows others who need to pay less the opportunity to attend.
To ensure that the scholarship tiers are reserved for families with demonstrated financial need, we request that you submit your FAFSA Student Aid Report upon selection of either of these tuition tiers. If you are an international applicant, please instead complete the CSS Profile and send it electronically to Global Citizen Year (CSS code 5314).
We have limited CSS fee waivers available to applicants selecting the lowest tuition tier; please email admissions@globalcitizenyear.org for assistance.
Financial aid forms are required only for the tuition tiers requesting a scholarshp.
If you select a scholarship tier, we request that you submit financial aid forms. This helps to ensure that these tiers are reserved only for families with demonstrated financial need.
To process your financial aid, Global Citizen Academy requires that you complete and submit one of the following forms:
The CSS Profile and the FAFSA are common forms used by university admissions offices to determine your eligibility for financial aid, using your and/or your parent or guardian’s income and tax information.
Global Citizen Year (the organization behind Global Citizen Academy) can be selected from the list of institutions within the CSS Profile. When you have successfully completed the CSS Profile, you will be prompted to select an institution to electronically send your documents to. Select Global Citizen Year, and we will receive your submission electronically.
If you are a U.S. applicant submitting a FAFSA Student Aid report, please simply save the Student Aid Report as a PDF, and upload it to your Global Citizen Academy application.
If you have trouble with this, please email admissions@globalcitizenyear.org.
For interested students, sign up here to learn more about our programs! For educators, visit our educator form to request more information