American applicants:
NO FEE, Americans may apply directly to ACE, and pay no fee to participate in the 12 week program. However, volunteers applying for the 8 to 11 week program are required to pay $50 per week.
Student Loan Deferment
- Most American students with most student loan companies are eligible to have their loans deferred during their period of participation with ACE. Exceptions may apply depending on your specific student loan circumstances.
- In order to request a deferment, contact Fannie Mae at (888) 272-5543. When you reach someone in customer service, request that the forms for "Economic Hardship Deferment" be sent to you. The forms are not available online but must be requested by phone.
Very important notes
- Only volunteers participating with ACE for three full calendar months are eligible for loan deferments. In order to satisfy that requirement, you may need to sign up for 13 weeks instead of our normal 12 week program. ACE will be happy to accommodate such requests.
- Simply requesting the deferment does not guarantee that your request will be granted. From the time you submit the forms, it will take 2 – 3 weeks to receive confirmation that your loans are deferred.
Foreign applicants:
ACE works through partnerships with recruitment agents around the world. Each agent charges a fee to cover the cost of avertising for our program. Please go to the Registration page to find the agent for your country. Unless you're an American applying directly, there will be a fee for you to pay to your booking agency. Volunteers are also required to arrange their own transportation to Flagstaff, Arizona, or Santa Cruz, California, have traveler's insurance for the duration of their stay, and to bring warm sleeping bags, as Flagstaff and many of the project locations are at high elevation and can be surprisingly cold at night (even in the summer). Most importantly, volunteers must bring a strong sense of adventure, a positive attitude and an open mind.
