Costa Rica 2024

Costa Rica : Winter 2024

Watch a Citrus College student's 2020 Costa Rica video on YouTube.

Costa Rica is one of the most unique destinations in Central America. This majestic country extends from the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean Sea where visitors can experience overwhelming diversity. Ecological communities and geological features - such as rainforests, cloud forests, tropical dry forests, volcanoes, hot springs, incredible rivers and waterfalls, and beautiful beaches and islands - all provide habitat for 5% of the world's flora and fauna species.

View the itinerary by clicking on this link. (Activity dates are subject to change.)

Program Dates

Sunday, January 14, 2024 : Depart the United States
Monday, January 15, 2024 : Arrive in San José, Costa Rica
Sunday, February 4, 2024 : Program ends; depart San José, Costa Rica

photo of Costa Rica rainforest

Affording Study Abroad

Click here to watch our recent financial aid and study abroad workshop.
Click here to a watch a recording of the scholarship and fundraising meeting.
Click here to view the meeting slides.

Upcoming Meetings+-

For program information and fundraising/scholarship workshops, attend the following meetings.

Saturday, December 2, 2023: Mandatory in person pre-departure meeting at 10 a.m. in CI 159

You can also join meetings without registering by clicking on this direct Zoom link.

Click here to watch a recording of our Costa Rica meeting.

Financial Aid and Scholarship Information+-

Financial Aid

Students may also apply for loans during the fall semester for use in the winter.

Check with Citrus College Financial Aid for the final day to apply for loans (usually around April).

Students are eligible for the tuition waiver during the summer intersession.

Scholarship

In order to minimize your reliance on financial aid/loans be sure to budget, plan, fundraise, and apply to as many scholarships as possible.

Review our "Writing a Winning Scholarship Essay" worksheet. Be certain make an appointment with your study abroad advisor, writing center, or faculty for essay review and assistance.

The Gilman scholarship awards Pell Grant eligible students (required) a maximum of $5,000 per program (usually $2,000-$3,000).
Deadline: Thursday October 5, 2023
View the Gilman overview presentation slides as a PDF file.

Your college's financial aid web page will likely have information about internal and external scholarships. Citrus College's internal scholarships open in the spring and close in May.

Additional scholarship resources and links are available for viewing in a spreadsheet format.

Click here to download the slides from our Funding Your Study Abroad presentation. (PDF file)

Why Choose this Program?+-

Academics and Eligibility Requirements

This program allows you to study in Costa Rica while enrolled in a Citrus College course. The course is UC and CSU transferable.

Students from any college or university can participate in our study abroad programs as long as they meet the following eligibility requirements: a cumulative GPA of 2.5 and about 12 units of previous college level course work at an accredited college. First semester students may be accommodated if their campus coordinator approves a progress report. Students must be at least 18-years-old by the program start date.

If you are a student veteran, be sure to check in with the Veteran Success Center or contact director Maria Buffo at (626) 852-6457.

Personal

Study abroad is a transformative, life-changing experience that will broaden students understanding of themselves and the world. There are numerous tangible benefits to study abroad alumni including: increased self-confidence, improved GPA, lower unemployment rates, and higher starting salaries.

Check out UC Merced's What Statistics Show about Study Abroad Students page for more information.

Program Costs: What is Included?+-

The Costa Rica AIFS program fee is $4,475 based on an enrollment of 20 or more participants.

See the timeline and fee schedule document for details.

Program Deadlines+-

October 13, 2023 : Enrollment deposit deadline
*The link to pay the deposit will be sent to students, who meet eligibility requirements.
November 17, 2023: Entire balance is due
December 3, 2023 : Mandatory pre-departure meeting at 10 a.m. in CI 159

AIFS Refund Policy+-

Email kwinslow@aifs.com and provide withdrawal intent.