Before Michelle Kincaid ventured to Peru for a volunteer-focused program during her gap year, cost was a major concern.
“I live in a family that lives paycheck to paycheck,” says Kincaid, who spent nine months between high school and college abroad tutoring students in music and leadership skills.
But between earning a grant, fundraising furiously and choosing a cost-efficient locale, Kincaid stayed within budget. She estimates that she paid around $1,500 or $2,000 out of pocket for her Peruvian experience.
“It’s notable to say that it was less expensive than my first year in college could have been,” says Kincaid, now a rising sophomore at Syracuse University.
[Discover how a gap year can make students successful.]
A gap year doesn’t have to be an adventure only available to a wealthy few.
“We’ve seen programs run about $20,000 and then we’ve seen situations where students take an internship and are paid $20,000,” says Andrew Belasco, CEO of College Transitions, a college admissions consulting company. “It’s a huge range.”
For students drawn to the idea of a gap year but wary of its costs, here are four ways to cut down on expenses.
1. Stay close to home: “A lot of students we work with are under the impression that you have to travel abroad to some exotic location to take part in a proper gap year,” says Belasco. “That’s certainly not the case.”
Cost-conscious “gappers” can save cash on airfare, visas and international insurance by staying close to home.
Outdoorsy types may choose to work at a state or national park, living on site and building trails. Those exploring potential careers may intern at a doctor’s office or volunteer at an organization in a nearby city.
[Learn how community service can pay off with college scholarships.]
The one caveat to staying close: Don’t make the gap year about playing video games in the basement. A gap year “is an intentional period of time you’re taking away to learn more about yourself and more about the world,” says Jason Sarouhan, vice president of the Center for Interim Programs, a gap year counseling organization. What it’s not: A 12-month vacation.
2. Limit lodging costs: Students who worry about financing accommodations may find room and board for free — or close to it — in exchange for work.
One example, the World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms program, has participants trade farm work for lodging. Students can venture all over the world, planting, chopping wood and helping out in other ways. While accommodations are covered, participants will still have to pay travel and other fees.
Living with a local family, which may include meals and other perks, can be another way to cut costs. That’s what Kincaid did in Peru. “The housing there was definitely more affordable for me,” she says. “And I had the added benefit of living with an amazing and generous and friendly and kind family.”
3. Tamp down on program fees: Some structured gap year programs can cost nearly as much as a semester or two of college, say experts. “These programs are amazing, but only in the capability of a certain percentage of families,” says Sarouhan.
Choosing activities a la carte, or keeping the structured program to just a few months, can trim costs, say experts.
But beware of giving students too much free range, says Ethan Knight, executive director of the American Gap Association. He recommends at least two months within a structured program.
“Everything else can be less structured,” he says. But those two months help students “land, get their bearings, experiment, make a few mistakes — and still have some space to be held.”
4. Consider credit: Students may be able to earn credit — and financial aid — for programs with an academic component. “If you’re earning college credit, that means you can apply for financial aid through some of these programs, says Belasco, of College Transitions.
Knocking out a few courses, with federal funding, can be a valuable takeaway. But students should check with the university they plan to attend since earning credits before freshman year may convert them to transfer students or unexpectedly land them with sophomore status.
[Understand how to get money or college credit for a gap year.]
Bottom line: Students need to approach gap years like any major expense, with realistic expectations and a budget.
“Have costs be a conscious part of conversation, just as it is for college,” says Knight, of the American Gap Association.
Trying to fund your education? Get tips and more in the U.S. News Paying for College center.
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4 Tips to Cut Down on the Costs of a Gap Year originally appeared on usnews.com
