ap years can be incredible, life changing experiences, but many of the best programs require some form of down payment or enrollment fee. While there are many low cost programs out there, cost is a major factor to consider when choosing a gap year program. Even for students who just take a year to travel before college, expenses can pile up fast.

It’s important to remember though that even the most expensive gap year programs cost thousands of dollars less than an equivalent semester of university study. If you’re participating in a gap year program to explore a subject you’re interested in studying further in college, then the price tag might be more than worth it. Instead of paying for two years of college just to change your major halfway through, a gap year experience could help you choose the right path and even earn you college credit!

Even so, for many students, affordability is the most important aspect when it comes to choosing a gap year program, so it's important to know all of the options available to you when it comes to financing one. Here are 5 of the most common ways students pay for a gap year:

BY JOHNATHAN D. KINDALL

While not nearly as common as academic scholarships to 4-year universities, gap year scholarships and loans do exist. Most of these scholarships require that the gap year program awards college credit, but there are a number of programs out there that do just that. Additionally, a number of gap year counselors and consultants offer speciality support scholarships for students. Individual programs too may also offer scholarships or financial aid to qualifying students, so be sure to inquire when exploring programs.

Some students may be able to use a 529 tax savings account to help fund their gap year experience. This too requires that the gap year program awards college credit but, if it does, a 529 can be used for all sorts of gap year expenses, not just tuition. While the primary goal of your gap year shouldn’t be just to get college credit, finding a program that offers it can certainly help reduce the total cost.

If there are no scholarships available for your preferred program or if the experience does not offer college credit, you may have to be more creative with your gap year funding. Many students hold a fundraising campaign to afford their gap years through sites like Go Fund Me or other online platforms. Other students may write to family members, friends and local businesses and churches, asking for small contributions to help fund their gap experience. It’s important to be honest and clear in these situations about where and how the money will be used. Explain to potential donors what you hope to gain from your gap year experience, and how their gift will help you achieve it.

These days, it’s not uncommon for students to take an extended break between high school and college to live at home and save some money, and students interested in a gap year experience can certainly do the same! While some gap year experiences are months or year long endeavors, many of the best programs are only a few weeks in length. If the timing is right then, consider working for the majority of your gap year and storing away a little bit of money every month to help pay for your program. Not only will you get valuable work experience, but you’ll have the opportunity to use your hard-earned money on a truly transformative program.

The truth is that, for many gap year students, no single method listed above will pay for the full cost of their gap year. In fact, depending on the program, you may need to employ two or three of the options mentioned here, and that’s perfectly reasonable. With a combination of scholarships, donations, savings and more though, any student can fund the gap year of their dreams! •

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