Help CenterTogether with the Center for Learning & Innovation Office of Western Colorado University (WCU), AMIGOS has formed an Outdoor and Experiential Education Program partnership through which AMIGOS is able to offer two political science courses. POLS 197: Global Citizenship is a two credit course, while POLS 197: Global Citizen 2.0 is a three credit course.
Volunteers completing three-week AMIGOS projects are eligible to register for POLS 197: Global Citizenship (2 credits) and volunteers enrolled in four-, six-, or nine-week AMIGOS projects or the Gap Program may register for POLS 197: Global Citizenship 2.0.
Course Description
These courses offer an introduction to Global Citizenship and cover different topics related to leadership, cultural humility, and service through a lens of social justice. Volunteers that take part in one of the courses will develop several skills that are essential in their path to becoming effective agents of change for themselves, their community, and the world.
WCU charges $180 per credit, with a total of $360 due to register for POLS 197: Global Citizenship and a total of $540 due to register for POLS 197: Global Citizenship 2.0. Course fees must be paid directly to WCU (process detailed below) and are not paid to AMIGOS.
AMIGOS volunteers may also leverage this partnership to pay for both their AMIGOS program fees and this WCU course through a 529 fund.
How to Register for College Credit
To register for college credit through Western Colorado University, please:
- Apply for your AMIGOS program- be sure to select a Summer Program that is at least 3 weeks in length to be eligible! Click here to apply. (If you have already been accepted to AMIGOS, skip to step #2.)
- Once you have applied to AMIGOS program, paid your application fee/deposit, and received your acceptance into the program, fill out the Course Registration Form at this link CREDIT REGISTRATION Amigos De Las Americas (AMIGOS) (office.com)
- Send your completed Course Registration Form to: center@western.edu and admissions@amigosinternational.org.
- Once you have submitted the Course Registration Form, the AMIGOS Admissions Team as well as the Western Colorado University team will be in touch with next steps regarding billing. Please note that volunteers will not be enrolled in the course until after April 15th due to WCU's Academic Schedule, so billing will be after that date.
How to Pay for College Credit and the AMIGOS Program Fee/Family Fee
AMIGOS volunteers may elect to pay for their college credits through Western Colorado University using a credit card, a check, or a 529/Educational Savings Plan.
Additionally, volunteers may elect to pay for their AMIGOS Program Fees/Family fees using a 529/Educational Savings Plan when also completing this course credit. However, payments already made to AMIGOS cannot be refunded. Any remaining payments may be paid from a 529/Educational Savings Plan.
Application fees, deposits, and airfare payments are not eligible to be paid from a 529/Educational Savings Plan and must be paid directly to AMIGOS.
How to use College Savings Plan (529)
- Fill out the Course Registration Form linked here as described above. On this form, you will indicate your preferred method of payment for your course credit fees and/or AMIGOS Program Fee.
- Submit this form to center@western.edu and admissions@amigosinternational.org as described above.
- Once submitted, AMIGOS and Western Colorado University will use the information provided to bill you for the indicated amount and to confirm your successful registration for course credits.
FAQ
Q: Who is eligible to register for this course credit?
A: National and local chapter volunteers who are currently enrolled in or are in the process of applying for any Summer Project that is at least 3-weeks in length or the Gap Program are eligible to register.
Q: Do I have to be registered for college credit through Western Colorado University in order to pay for AMIGOS from my college savings account?
A: Yes, in order to use funds from your college savings account, you must also be enrolled to receive college credit through Western Colorado University.
Q: What if I want to pay for my program fee or family fee using my 529 account? Can the amount I have already paid be refunded so that it can be paid through my college savings account?
A: For 2024 Summer Programs, payments already made cannot be refunded. However, any payment installments not yet complete can be paid from a college savings plan via Western Colorado University.
Q: Can I only register and pay for course credit?
A: Yes! If you would like, you can simply register for course credit and remit payment directly to Western Colorado University. Please contact admissions@amigosinternational.org to get started.
Q: Can I pay for my airfare from my 529 account?
A: No. At this time, only the college credit course registration fee and the AMIGOS program fee, less the $75 application fee and $425 deposit can be paid for using 529 accounts.
Q: Can I pay for my application fee or deposit from my 529 account?
A: No. At this time, only the college credit course registration fee and the AMIGOS program fee, less the $75 application fee and $425 deposit can be paid for using 529 accounts.
Q: Can I pay for supplemental expenses such as immunization costs or gear from my 529 account?
A: No. At this time, only the college credit course registration fee and the AMIGOS program fee, less the $50 application fee and $425 deposit can be paid for using 529 accounts.
Q: Is there any extra work for volunteers who sign up to earn college credits?
A: No. Western Colorado has approved our existing curriculum for the POLS 197: Global Citizenship and POLS 197: Global Citizenship 2.0 courses, so volunteers who register for one of these courses will not be required to do any coursework above and beyond what is already part of the program.
Q: Which AMIGOS projects are eligible to earn credits through Western Colorado University?
A: All projects at least 3-weeks in length within the 2024 Summer Program as well as all Gap Programs have thus far received approval for these college credits. The 2-week Summer Projects are not eligible.
Q: Do I have to go to college at Western Colorado University to claim these credits?
A: No, you can earn these credits through Western Colorado University without attending the school for college. These credits are transferable to many colleges and universities in the United States, please check with your current or future institution to confirm if they accept these credits and what the process for transferring them will be.
Q: How is the course graded?
A: At the end of the program, all volunteers will be assigned a letter grade relating to their participation in the program.
Q: What if I don’t complete the program? Will I still receive credit?
A: In most cases, if a volunteer does not complete the program, they will not be eligible to receive credit. However, in certain circumstances, the volunteer may be able to finish their coursework and receive credit without completing the full program. This will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Q: What is the cancellation and refund policy if I choose to pay for all or part of my AMIGOS program fee through Western Colorado University (either using a direct payment or a 529 fund)?
A: Regardless of the method of payment, AMIGOS cancellation and refund policies apply for all Program Fees. Please refer to your Family Financial Agreement (for local chapter volunteers) or the Finance Policy (for National Chapter volunteers) for more information. The course registration fees may be refundable according to Western Colorado University’s refund policies. More information can be found on Western Colorado University's FAQ section on this webpage.
Q: How can I request a transcript for these credits?
A: Visit www.getmytranscript.com and follow the instructions. Select “Western Colorado University” as the school and reference your invoice from Western Colorado University to retrieve your Student ID.
Q: Are these college credits transferable to another college or university? How do I go about transferring them?
A: Yes, these college credits are generally transferrable to other colleges or universities. Please contact your current or future institution Transfer Evaluator to determine if your Western Colorado University credits will be transferrable.
More Questions?
Please email our Admissions Team at admissions@amigosinternational.org.