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.

As part of our commitment to advancing equity and opportunity for all, we award need-based financial aid to qualified applicants who would not otherwise be able to afford our leadership experiences.

TAKE ACTION LAB

THE ACADEMY

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ELIGIBILITY

Students worldwide post-high school, ages 17-21

SEMESTER

Feb 6 – June 8, 2023

COST

$21,000 USD in Tuition + $7,000 estimated out-of-pocket expenses Financial aid is available

APPLICATION DEADLINES

Priority: Sept 20 Final: Oct 13

Apply Now

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.

Need-based financial aid is available to help cover the costs of tuition. We also offer financial aid to help cover out-of-pocket expenses in cases where students would not otherwise be able to participate.

Each semester, we carefully review all incoming financial aid applications, and regularly have more outstanding candidates than aid available.

TUITION INCLUDES

Ongoing training & sessions

  • Virtual training prior to departure: During the 4 weeks before departure, students take part in a foundational training to learn principles for making a responsible and sustainable impact, 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 to Cape Town, whether the student has a passport, etc).

Pre-Travel Expenses (estimated ~$2,000)

  • Roundtrip flight to Cape Town, South Africa
  • Passport & visa fees
  • Travel & medical insurance

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.

Each semester, we carefully review all incoming financial aid applications, and regularly have more outstanding candidates than aid available.

 

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.

 

HOW TO APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID

The first step is to submit your application for Take Action Lab. Visit our application page to get started! You do not need to share any financial aid information at this stage.

If your application is accepted, you’ll progress to the clearance stage. During the clearance process 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. 

Once our team has approved your clearance materials, we’ll send you an official offer letter including your tuition/financial aid package.

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ELIGIBILITY

Students worldwide post-high school to 21

TIMING

Sep 11 - Dec 2, 2022 4 hours per week

TUITION

$5000 USD Need-based scholarships available

APPLICATION DEADLINES

Registration Full

REQUEST INFO

ACADEMY TUITION

Tuition for Global Citizen Year Academy is $5,000 USD. The tuition amount is inclusive of the $500 deposit. Tuition will be invoiced through Quickbooks and can be paid on-line. We accept the following forms of payment:

  • Cards (Visa, Master Card, Discover, American Express, and Apple Pay)
  • Bank Transfer

 

ACADEMY FINANCIAL AID & SCHOLARSHIPS

Each semester, we carefully review all incoming financial aid applications, and regularly have more outstanding candidates than aid available.

We are dedicated to making the Academy 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 the Academy, with a need- and demographically-aware philosophy to ensure that we are giving access to traditionally underserved groups.

 

HOW TO APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID

1. Submit your Application

You can submit your application through our website! When you come to the question ‘Will you be requesting need-based financial aid for the Academy?’ select YES if you are unable to afford the tuition.

2. Receive Admissions Decision & Financial Aid Application

Your admissions decision will be made within five business days of submitting your application. If your application is rejected, unfortunately, that is the end of the application process. If you are accepted you will begin the clearance process! You will gain access to your student portal via email which will have more information on the next steps, including the financial aid application.

3. Clearance & Financial Aid Application

As part of the clearance process, you will have one week to submit your financial aid application. ALL applicable clearance requirements must be submitted for your financial aid request to be considered:

  • Financial Aid Application: If you requested to apply for financial aid on your application then you will find the internal Global Citizen Year financial aid form on your student portal. You will need to submit the financial aid form as well as supporting documents.
  • Systems Check: Everyone is required to complete the systems check. This is done to make sure that your computer’s processing speed will be able to handle the course load the Academy requires.
  • Language Assessment: If you noted on your application that you are NOT a fluent or native English speaker, you will be asked to complete a short Language Assessment that will be linked to your student portal.

Note: To continue on this admissions process you must complete these steps within the 7-day deadline and you must meet the necessary requirements of the Language Assessment and/or Systems Check.

4. Receive Financial Aid Package & Enroll

Once you’ve made it to this stage you are only two steps away from officially enrolling in the Academy! Here are the two steps you will need to complete within one week of receiving them:

  • Completing your DocuSign: You will be emailed your financial aid package through DocuSign. You will need to read through your DocuSign, pay your deposit (if applicable), and sign. After you sign it will be emailed to your parent/guardian to be signed.
  • Registering for your Course Time: You will be able to register for course times through your student portal. You can edit your schedule until August 4th or until a class time is full.

Due to high demand, we cannot hold your financial aid or your spot in the Academy if we do not receive your completed Docusign and deposit within the allotted week.

If you are unable to afford the offer in your Welcome Packet, you can contact admissions@globalcitizenyear.org.

There is a financial aid waitlist if the requested aid is currently unavailable. We cannot guarantee that a student on the waitlist will receive additional aid.

5. Congratulations!

Once you have completed all the stages above you will be officially registered for the Global Citizen Year Academy! You will then begin receiving communications from our Programs team about the Academy leading up to the start of the semester!

 

UWC DAVIS SCHOLARSHIPS

UWC Alumni Need-Based Scholarships: Thanks to United World Colleges (UWC) International patron Shelby M.C. Davis, Global Citizen Year is pleased to offer eligible UWC alumni access to Global Citizen Year Academy through need-based scholarships.

All UWC alumni accepted to the Academy will be awarded a $1,000USD UWC Davis scholarship. The remaining tuition is $4,000USD, and additional financial aid is available based on demonstrated financial need.

Eligibility: UWC alumni through the age of 21.

We encourage UWC alumni to apply early as scholarships are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you have questions about the UWC partnership scholarship, or you’re interested in establishing a partnership for your UWC campus, please contact uwc@globalcitizenyear.org for more information.

 

ENLIGHT FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP

The Enlight Foundation focuses on creating equal educational opportunities for children in developing countries, and on fostering social entrepreneurs and changemakers among youth. At Global Citizen Year the Enlight Foundation Scholarship was established with the goal to provide students from specific regions access to Global Citizen Year Academy.

Eligibility: Post-high school to 21-year-old students who hold citizenship of China, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, or South Korea

If you have questions about the Enlight Foundation scholarship, or you’re an organization from China, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, or South Korea and interested in establishing a partnership with us, please contact lchen@globalcitizenyear.org for more information.

 

THE HEARTLAND SCHOLARSHIP INITIATIVE

Introducing, The Heartland Scholarship—a new, state-wide initiative exclusively for young Ohio leaders. Global Citizen Year is awarding need-based scholarships for eligible, accepted applicants to enroll in Global Citizen Year Academy. Join us O-H-I-O!

Eligibility: Ohio high school graduates through 21 years old

 

COLLEGE TRACK SCHOLARSHIP

Global Citizen Year is proud to partner with College Track to find exceptional young leaders from College Track’s network. College Track students or alumni are eligible for full financial aid through our College Track Scholarship.

Eligibility: College track students or alumni who are high school graduates through 21 years old