EARTH University Undergraduate Degree Scholarships 2026

The EARTH University Undergraduate Degree Scholarships 2026 cycle for entry into the four-year Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Sciences has concluded, with the final application deadline having passed on January 31, 2026.

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Hosted by EARTH University (Escuela de Agricultura de la Región Tropical Húmeda), located in Costa Rica (with global administrative links and donor partnerships across North America and Europe), this prestigious scholarship scheme provides full and partial financial support to young leaders from Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, and other developing regions.

Designed for students committed to sustainable agriculture, rural entrepreneurship, ethical leadership, and environmental conservation, EARTH University awards over 50 full scholarships each year from a pool of thousands of international applicants.

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What is EARTH University and Why It Exists

Founded in 1986 through a joint international effort by the Costa Rican government, USAID, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, EARTH University is an independent, non-profit, international post-secondary institution located in Guácimo, Limón, Costa Rica. The university operates on a unique experiential learning model where over 75% of the curriculum involves practical fieldwork, hands-on enterprise management, and community engagement in tropical agricultural settings.

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EARTH University was established to transform food systems, reduce poverty in rural communities, and advance environmental sustainability across the Global South. By offering a multicultural environment representing over 50 countries—with strict 50% gender equity—EARTH trains young people from low-income, agricultural, and rural backgrounds to become ethical leaders, innovative agronomists, and social entrepreneurs who return to create positive economic impact in their home nations.

EARTH University Undergraduate Degree Scholarships Summary

Financial Benefits and Award Tiers

EARTH University allocates scholarship awards based on academic performance, leadership potential, and verified socioeconomic need, with the total educational support valued at more than US$36,800 per year:

• Full Scholarships: Cover 100% of tuition fees, double-occupancy on-campus housing, complete meal plans, medical insurance, local student permits, and essential learning materials/field tools.
• Partial Scholarships: Cover a major percentage (e.g., 25%, 50%, or 75%) of tuition and institutional living expenses, with the remaining balance covered by family contributions or external sponsors.
• Experiential Internship & Enterprise Support: Includes funding for third-year international internships and seed capital support for fourth-year student-run commercial enterprises on campus.
• Mentorship & Career Services: Full integration into community leadership networks, career placement support, and eligibility for post-graduation fellowships (e.g., Mastercard Foundation Fellowships).

Selection Process

The admissions and scholarship selection process at EARTH University is holistic, personalized, and structured across six key phases:

1. Stage 1 — Account Creation & Preliminary Contact: The applicant creates an account on the online platform (apply.earth.ac.cr) and is paired with an official Admissions Officer.
2. Stage 2 — Document Submission & Screening: The applicant uploads high school records, recommendation letters, and certificates. Three faculty members evaluate the complete file.
3. Stage 3 — Aptitude & Psychometric Assessments: Shortlisted candidates take an online general academic aptitude test and a psychometric evaluation to gauge problem-solving skills and leadership traits.
4. Stage 4 — Group & Individual Faculty Interviews: Candidates who pass the testing phase participate in individual and group interviews conducted virtually or in-person by EARTH faculty members.
5. Stage 5 — Family Socio-Economic Study: To determine financial aid eligibility, EARTH conducts a comprehensive socio-economic review and virtual/in-person family interview to evaluate financial need.
6. Stage 6 — Final Decision & Visa Onboarding: The Financial Support Committee evaluates test scores, interview performance, and financial need to issue final admission and scholarship offers.

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Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following criteria to qualify for admission and financial aid consideration:

• Academic Foundation: Must have successfully completed or be in the final year of secondary/high school (Grade 12 or equivalent certification).
• Academic Performance: Strong academic record in high school, particularly in basic sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) and Mathematics.
• Age Requirement: Applicants are typically young high school graduates (under 30 years of age).
• Demonstrated Socio-Economic Need: Priority for full scholarship funding is given to applicants from low-income families, rural agricultural communities, and underserved regions who lack the financial means to fund higher education.
• Commitment to Values: Clear commitment to community service, environmental sustainability, ethical leadership, and social entrepreneurship.
• Language Proficiency: Willingness to study in Spanish (EARTH provides intensive Spanish language immersion programs for non-Spanish speaking students, such as those arriving from Anglophone Africa).

Required Application Documents

Candidates must prepare and upload official, legible copies of all required documents to the EARTH University admissions platform:

• High School Transcripts: Official academic report cards/transcripts covering the last three completed years of high school (e.g., Grades 10, 11, and 12).
• High School Diploma: Graduation certificate or official letter from the school principal confirming expected completion before the start of the academic year.
• Three (3) Letters of Recommendation: Recommendations must be written using EARTH’s official format by non-family members (e.g., teachers, school principals, community leaders, or mentors) who can speak to the applicant’s character, work ethic, and leadership.
• Socio-Economic Verification Form: Detailed financial disclosure listing family income, household dependents, assets, and monthly expenses.
• Supplemental Supporting Documents: Optional copies of awards, certificates of extracurricular involvement, language certificates, community service records, or agricultural training certificates.

How to Apply Step-by-Step

1. Account Registration: Visit the official portal and complete the initial account creation form.
2. Admissions Officer Pairing: Check your email for login credentials and the contact details of your assigned Admissions Officer.
3. Complete the Online Form: Log into the portal, fill in all personal and academic details, and complete the short-answer essay prompts explaining your passion for agriculture and community impact.
4. Upload Core Documents: Upload high school transcripts, diploma/completion certificate, and three official recommendation letters in PDF format.
5. Sit for Admissions Tests: Complete the scheduled academic aptitude and psychometric assessments online.
6. Complete the Socio-Economic Form: Fill out the financial aid questionnaire required to schedule your socio-economic interview.
7. Participate in Faculty Interviews: Attend scheduled group and individual interviews with EARTH faculty members.
8. Undergo Family Verification: Participate in the socio-economic family meeting conducted by the financial aid officer.
9. Official Application Portal: Monitor your application status directly at the Official EARTH University Admissions Portal.

Deadline and Next Cycle Timeline

• 2026 Cycle Status: CLOSED. Applications for the 2026 entry cohort closed on January 31, 2026.
• 2027 Cycle Expectation: The application portal for the 2027 entry cycle is scheduled to open in October 2026, with a final closing deadline anticipated around January 31, 2027. Prospective candidates from Africa and Latin America are advised to begin gathering high school transcripts and securing recommenders during Q3 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is EARTH University located in the United States or Costa Rica?

EARTH University’s primary campus and agricultural fields are located in Guácimo, Limón, Costa Rica. However, EARTH maintains administrative offices, global funding foundations, and donor partnerships across the United States and North America.

Do I need to speak fluent Spanish to apply?

While the main language of instruction at EARTH University is Spanish, non-Spanish-speaking international students (such as students from Anglophone and Francophone Africa) are eligible to apply. Accepted students receive intensive Spanish language training upon arrival to ensure full academic integration.

What is the acceptance rate for full scholarships?

The scholarship process is highly competitive. EARTH University receives several thousand applications annually for full financial support, with an average of approximately 50 to 100 full scholarships awarded per cohort based on merit and financial need.

Can I apply if I am already enrolled in a university?

The EARTH program is a specialized four-year Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Sciences starting from foundational levels. Applicants must submit secondary school (high school) records for evaluation rather than university credit transfer requests.

Disclaimer: All scholarship terms, deadlines, award categories, and application procedures outlined in this guide were verified against official EARTH University admissions communications as of August 2026. Information is subject to updates by the host institution. Applicants should verify all details on the official EARTH University portal before applying.

Official Application Portal