2007 Scholarship students with family

The Sarapiquí Conservation Learning Center (SCLC) coordinates a high school and university scholarship program for local students, which is made possible due to the kind donations given by international donors. The program was originally started with only two students in 1996 when the Center officially became a non-profit organization. Since the program’s initiation, it has been a great success and has expanded every year. Our first graduate was in 2000 and this year we have 33 school students participating, as well as one university student.

The Sarapiquí region is one of the poorest in the country. The SCLC firmly believes that education is the key to opening economic opportunities and improving the quality of life, and will be very important for successful sustainable development in the region. While public school is free, there are many associated costs. The Scholarship Program makes high school and university possible for students and their families who would otherwise be unable to afford it. The money helps to cover the costs of uniforms, books, food, transportation and, in some cases, housing.

The SCLC´s high school scholarship program has already made a vital difference for dozens of local students over the past decade, some of whom now hold jobs in education and ecotourism. With your support, SCLC can continue providing an opportunity for academically promising, but financially limited, students to attend high school and college.

High School Program

Sixth grade students are selected jointly by the SCLC and local educators according to marks, motivation, and economic need. They receive a monthly check and attend a monthly meeting with the program coordinator throughout their high school career. These meetings focus on environmental and community themes and often include trips to local biological reserves, farms or community organizations.

Students turn in their grades at the end of each semester and can receive help on their homework or school projects at the Center. Scholarship students also have the opportunity to participate in English classes at the SCLC free of charge. Students must pass all their classes each year to continue participating and are required to write their donor multiple times a year.

• Yearly donation: $250; student receives a monthly disbursement that, over the course of the year, totals $230. The remaining $20 is used in the General Program Fund for supplies, transportation and projects. Multiple donor donations (such as a class of students or a science club) for a particular student are also accepted.

• Duration: 5 or 6 years, depending on the student’s high school

• Responsibilities of the donor: Send yearly check in December for the following year and correspond with student throughout the year.

University Program

Graduating high school students in the Sarapiquí region who are planning to attend college are encouraged to apply and are chosen based on marks, motivation, community involvement and economic need. Students must present proof of matriculation and bring in their grades every semester.

• Yearly donation: $500; student receives a check four times a year.

• Duration: Depends on the student and their chosen field of study; however, the donor is requested to commit their support for a period of five years, which is the average time it takes a student to receive their degree.

• Responsibilities of the donor: Send yearly check in December for the following year. Correspondence with student is encouraged. Education is so important in both the growth of a child and the community. Please join us in helping to ensure a bright future for this community by giving the gift of education!

If you would like to become a donor, please go to Scholarship Donors