TUITION &
FINANCIAL AID
Global Citizen Year proudly selects exceptional young leaders, independent of financial circumstances, and helps them develop the insights, skills, and networks for a lifetime of positive impact.
You can afford Take Action Lab
As part of our commitment to advancing equity and opportunity for all, we award both need-based financial aid and merit scholarships.
PROGRAM COST
Tuition for Take Action Lab is $21,000 USD.
We expect students will also need to budget an additional $7,000 USD for out-of-pocket expenses.
We don’t believe in hidden costs, and have aimed to provide a thorough and transparent breakdown of tuition and expenses.
TUITION INCLUDES
Trainings & Cultural Activities
- Virtual training prior to departure: During the 4 weeks before departure, students take part in a foundational training to learn about personal leadership development, community development and the historical and social context in South Africa.
- Orientation: Upon arrival in Cape Town, students receive a thorough week-long training to equip them with the cultural and risk-management skills to deeply and safely immerse.
- Cultural activities & excursions twice a week: Global Citizen Year hosts cultural activities or excursions each week, providing experiential opportunities to deepen students’ understanding of South Africa.
- Closing training: During their last week in Cape Town, students will take part in closing sessions to integrate their new perspectives into their own values and sense of purpose going forward.
Airport transfers on arrival and departure
Our team will meet you at the airport at arrival. On both arrival and departure days, we’ll arrange transportation to/from the airport.
Housing in Cape Town
Global Citizen Year provides several houses where students live together during their 3 months in Cape Town. Houses are fully furnished and include shared common spaces, bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, and laundry facilities. Each student has their own private bedroom with a bed, desk, and storage. Wifi, water, electricity, and cleaning fees are included.
Apprenticeship matching & support
Our team has cultivated a strong network of outstanding apprenticeship placements in Cape Town. Each student is thoughtfully matched with an organization advancing human rights, and will get hands-on experience working with them through a structured apprenticeship.
Local support team
Our local team of trained, youth development professionals live in Cape Town and support students throughout their time abroad. In case of health or safety incidents, they are close by and available for immediate support.
ESTIMATED OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES
We expect students will also need to budget $7,000 USD for out-of-pocket expenses not included in tuition. This is an estimate, and exact costs may be more or less depending on personal spending habits and circumstances (i.e. distance from home to Cape Town, whether the student has a passport, etc).
Pre-Travel Expenses (estimated ~$2,000)
- Vaccinations costs and fees*
- Costs associated with retrieving health history forms or possible supplemental forms (if applicable)*
- Technology required for program*
- Roundtrip flight to Cape Town, South Africa
- Passport & visa fees*
- Travel & medical insurance
*Financial Aid Offers do not include these costs
In-Country Expenses (estimated ~$5,000)
- Cellphone & mobile data (SIM card is provided)
- Food & groceries for all meals (outside of orientation and learning activities)
- Local transportation, including daily commute to your apprenticeship
- Personal spending money
Financial Aid
Need-based financial aid is available to help cover the costs of tuition ($21,000 USD). We also offer financial aid to help cover out-of-pocket expenses (~$7,000 USD) in cases where students would not otherwise be able to participate.
Financial aid may fully or partially cover
Financial aid offers vary depending on students’ financial aid applications. Financial aid is limited and not guaranteed. Financial aid may cover either partial or full costs of:
- Tuition
- Roundtrip flights to Cape Town, South Africa
- Travel medical insurance
- In-country transportation (including to and from your apprenticeship)
- In-country spending money (food and groceries, cell phone and mobile data, personal spending money)
Financial Aid does not cover
- Vaccinations costs and fees
- Costs associated with retrieving health history forms or possible supplemental forms (if applicable)
- Passport Fees
- Visa Fees
- Assistance in obtaining or paying for the technology required for this program
How to apply for financial aid
1.Submit your application for Take Action Lab.
2. If your application is accepted, you’ll progress to the clearance stage, where you’ll complete a number of forms, including a financial aid application. All the forms and detailed instructions will be made available to you on the student portal for accepted students.
3. Only after you have completed and met all clearance requirements will you receive your official enrollment offer including your tuition/financial aid package.
Each semester, we carefully review all incoming financial aid applications, and regularly have more outstanding candidates than aid available. Financial aid is limited and not guaranteed.
OUR COMMITMENT
We are dedicated to making Take Action Lab accessible to talented young leaders from all backgrounds. We also know that people from the global south and people who identify as BIPOC are underrepresented in positions of leadership and disproportionately impacted by income inequality. Therefore, our financial aid targets individuals without the means to afford Take Action Lab, with a need- and demographically-aware philosophy to ensure that we are giving access to traditionally underserved groups.
Merit Scholarships
Global Citizen Year awards merit scholarships to student who demonstrate a track record of curiosity, conviction and courage, and a hunger to make a positive impact in their community and the world.
We invite educators to nominate exceptional students for Take Action Lab. Nominated students will be awarded a $500 merit scholarship should they enroll in the program.
Educator Nomination Scholarship
Have Admissions Questions?
Check out our FAQs or email our team at admissions@globalcitizenyear.org
VIEW FAQs