Caribbean EcoFS Cost
COURSE COST CALCULATION:
Step 1: decide on one of two all-inclusive lodging options:
$2,990 Beach tent camping or
$3,390 Beach bungalow room
Step 2: decide on a SCUBA/snorkel option or a Snorkel-only option
Add $700 for SCUBA/snorkel option
Add $0 for Snorkel-only option
That’s it!
EcoFS accepts credit cards, check/money orders & 529 disbursements for payments.
Cost is the same for in-state, out-of-state and international students and includes the following expenses:
- all instruction, activities and ecosystem field research equipment use
- round-trip transportation in private shuttles to/from Cancun airport to course location at Xpu-Ha on the designated arrival & departure days. Note: this is not airfare, which students must pay for separately.
- Lodging in 1 of 2 options: Beach bungalow rooms- triple occupancy “hostel-like”rooms, full-size beds, air conditioning, showers, beachfront & ocean-view or Beach tent camping- spacious, single-occupancy tents, access to restrooms & showers, valuables storage, beachfront & ocean-view. The photo to above/right shows the bungalows, the next photo is from a bungalow room looking towards the camping area.
- access to La Playa Xpu-Ha Beach Club for study and non-academic times
- all meals including buffet brunch at the Beach Club, dinner prepared by an incredible local chef & lunch prepared by the group & endless snacks
- all SCUBA diving/snorkel costs including equipment rental. For more info on the SCUBA/Snorkel component to the course, go here.
- field trip admissions & travel
- laundry service
- comprehensive international health insurance & medical emergency plan (for duration of course)
- exemplary letter of reference/recommendation (based on student performance)
Students must coordinate & pay their airfare to Cancun International Airport and arrive on the course start date (December 28, 2024). Students are encouraged to purchase travel insurance in the case of an unforeseen event causing a course cancellation.
Students do not incur course-related expenses while in Mexico but must supply their own books and snorkel equipment of mask, snorkel & fins.
When compared to the typical cost of college tuition & expenses, EcoFS believes that the benefits provided for the program cost are an excellent overall higher education value. We encourage students to shop around for other field courses and when you compare the benefits provided, you will realize that EcoFS is by far the best value.
OUR AFFORDABLE PAYMENT PLAN:
- $20 application fee - paid at end of application (fully refunded if the student is not accepted).
- $900 deposit - due one month after acceptance to reserve your spot. This payment is applied to total payment, it is not an additional cost.
- Balance payment (final cost depending on options chosen) due two weeks prior to the start of the course
- Optional $155 credit administration fee to our academic course sponsor, the University of Montana at Missoula for credit administration. This allows your credits earned on the course to show on an official college transcript that you can transfer. Due at course end. If the course must be cancelled, for any reason, all fees paid will be refunded
Other financial info:
* Direct Financial Aid:
University of Montana to apply that aid to this course. Students must first check with their school’s Financial Aid Office (FAO) to discuss their unique aid situation. If a students’ FAO determines that they are eligible to receive financial aid for this course then the student must contact EcoFS to coordinate the consortium agreement with the University of Montana
* Unfortunately VA Benefits are not able to be used, as the course is considered 3rd party billing without institution-associated tuition and fees.
EcoFSLOVE scholarship fund.
EcoFS has a limited number of scholarships for students who meet at least one of the following criteria. These criteria are ranked in importance.
1. A student of an underrepresented minority group such as African American, Native American, Latino.
2. A student who is currently serving in, or is a veteran of, the US Armed Forces.
3. An international student or a student attending a non-US university.
4. A student with significant financial hardship.
Scholarship amounts range from $250 – $750. To apply for an EcoFSLOVE scholarship please send a separate email letter detailing your situation to EcoFS at steve@ecofs.org after you submit your course application. Scholarship amounts are deducted from the course balance payment.
