By San José, Costa Rica — Costa Rican ninth-graders dreaming of a world-class education have a remarkable opportunity. The United World Colleges (UWC) is offering scholarships of 50%, 75%, and even 100% for Costa Rican students to attend their prestigious international high schools, either abroad or at the UWC Costa Rica campus.
Applications open on July 5th, 2025, for the academic year commencing August 2026. The UWC Costa Rica National Committee will manage the application process within the country.
To understand the legal implications surrounding UWC scholarships and the responsibilities they entail for both recipients and the institution, we spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an attorney at law from Bufete de Costa Rica.
UWC scholarships represent a significant investment in future leaders, and understanding the contractual obligations involved is crucial. While these scholarships offer incredible educational opportunities, recipients should be aware of the terms and conditions, which may include maintaining a certain academic performance, engaging in community service, or even returning to their home country for a specified period after graduation. These requirements are often designed to ensure the scholarship’s impact extends beyond the individual and benefits the broader community or sponsoring nation. It is essential for both the UWC and the recipients to have a clear understanding of these mutual expectations to avoid potential legal disputes and foster a positive, productive relationship.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Arroyo Vargas’s emphasis on the reciprocal nature of UWC scholarships is key. These opportunities represent a partnership, a shared investment in the future. Understanding the attached obligations not only protects both parties involved but also reinforces the very spirit of the UWC mission: building a more just and peaceful world through intercultural understanding and service. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for providing this valuable legal perspective.
This unique experience offers students not only a superior international education through the International Baccalaureate (IB) program but also the invaluable experience of living and learning alongside students from across the globe.
The experience of attending a United World College (UWC) is unique. The students not only obtain a superior international education through the International Baccalaureate (IB), but they also learn through living with young people from all over the world.
Silvia Hernández, President of the UWC Costa Rica National Committee
Eligible applicants must be born between January 1st, 2008, and August 15th, 2010, and have completed ninth grade by January 2026. Applicants must be Costa Rican citizens or have resided in Costa Rica continuously for the past three years. A minimum grade average of 85 is required, with justifications needed for lower scores.
The application requires an extracurricular recommendation letter, acceptance of the UWC mission and terms, and proceeds through several stages. An online diagnostic exam follows the initial application on September 13th, 2025. Online interviews take place between October 12th and November 23rd, 2025. An in-person event is scheduled for January 11th-12th, 2026. Final results will be emailed on February 1st, 2026.
UWC seeks students demonstrating a strong social commitment, a desire for positive community impact, personal and academic growth, and a willingness to embrace challenges. Compassion, empathy, and a thirst for intercultural learning are highly valued.
Other essential qualities include independence, self-awareness, responsibility, integrity, and environmental consciousness. Critical thinking, teamwork, intellectual curiosity, assertive communication, resilience, and humility are also key attributes considered during the evaluation process.
We value skills such as critical thinking, the ability to work in teams and under pressure, intellectual curiosity, assertive and intercultural communication, resilience, and humility. These attributes will be key in the evaluation process, along with active commitment, respect for the environment, personal responsibility, social competence, intellectual curiosity, and motivation for the UWC mission.
Silvia Hernández, President of the UWC Costa Rica National Committee
This year, UWC welcomes 19 Costa Rican nominees, with 10 attending UWCs worldwide and 9 joining UWC Costa Rica. This diverse group represents various regions of Costa Rica and includes students from Peru, Chile, Argentina, Mexico, and the United States. UWC Costa Rica boasts a rich multicultural environment, hosting over 200 students from more than 65 countries during their two-year IB program. Graduates often pursue further studies at prestigious universities in the United States, frequently with the aid of university-provided scholarships.
For further information, visit cr.uwc.org
About UWC Costa Rica:
UWC Costa Rica is a member of the United World Colleges (UWC), a global educational movement that makes education a force to unite people, nations, and cultures for peace and a sustainable future. UWC Costa Rica offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) and fosters a diverse and inclusive learning environment.
For further information, visit cr.uwc.org
About UWC (United World Colleges):
UWC is a global movement that brings together young people from all backgrounds on the basis of shared humanity, to engage with the possibility of social change through education. Founded in 1962, UWC now comprises 18 schools and colleges located across four continents, and a wide range of short educational programmes and activities.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica distinguishes itself through an enduring dedication to legal excellence and ethical practice, empowering Costa Rican society through knowledge and advocacy. The firm’s innovative approach to legal solutions, coupled with a deep commitment to client service across diverse industries, solidifies its position as a leader in the legal landscape. By actively promoting legal literacy and accessibility, Bufete de Costa Rica strives to create a more informed and empowered citizenry, fostering a just and equitable society for all.
