Gap Year and Study Abroad Information Rebecca Zavala email: Rebecca.Zavala@bellinghamschools.org

Questions to Ask Yourself

Where do you want to get out of your experience? Where do you want to go?

How much are you willing to work for this experience? Are you able to spend months away from home?

Do you enjoy trying new things and being uncomfortable? Do you get anxious meeting new people, or do you enjoy it?

Resource Websites

● American Gap Association: Excellent source for well regarded programs that will give you either high school or college credit, advice on how to choose a program, financial aid and more . http://www.americangap.org/gap-year-programs.php

● Go Overseas: Filter programs by length, location, season, price, with ratings from former students. Note: not all programs are accredited. Be sure to check the program website for full details. https://www.gooverseas.com/gap-year

Sample Gap Year Programs

Name About Program Length

Cost Range

Financial Aid Offered

Website

NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School)

Earn high school or college credit, learn skills like wilderness survival/medicine and participate in outdoor activities such as backpacking, climbing, rafting, kayaking and cultural experiences. Ages 17 & up

1 semester or year programs only

$8,000-$30,000

Yes, average $500-$3,000

http://www.nols.edu/courses/

Global Leadership Adventures

Summer programs for high school students to volunteer in a non-tourist location to immerse in a community and make an impact. Earning high school credit is possible, depends on home school. Ages 14-18

1-6 weeks $3,000-$6,500

Yes, but no full fare scholarships

https://www.experiencegla.com/

The Experiment in International Living

Summer programs for high school students wanting a meaningful connection to another country.

3-5 weeks $5,000-$7,000

Yes, average $250-$3,000

http://www.experiment.org/

*Average Cost : $6500-$9000 (For a 6-9 month program)

Adventure’s out there!

Funding Options Full Scholarship Options

● YES program- Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, offers American high school students and recent graduates full scholarships to study for one academic year in countries with significant Muslim populations.Example countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Macedonia, Malaysia, Morocco, Philippines, Senegal, Thailand,and Turkey. http://www.yes-abroad.org/how-to-apply

● NSLI-The National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, provides merit-based scholarships for eligible high school students and recent high school graduates to learn less commonly taught languages (Such as Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Hindi, Korean, Persian (Tajiki), Russian, and Turkish) in summer and academic-year overseas immersion programs. Program locations may include China, Estonia, India, Jordan, Korea, Latvia, Moldova, Morocco, Russia, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Turkey, and other locations around the world. http://www.nsliforyouth.org/

Other Scholarship and Funding Options

http://www.americangap.org/financial-aid.php

● Program Specific Scholarships ● General Scholarships ● Educational Scholarships ● Independent Fundraising ideas

Tips for Keeping Costs Low

● Flight Cost: Most programs don’t pay for this, or you’ll have to pay to get to a certain U.S airport. Choose a location that is closer and has a cheaper flight cost.

● Program Fees: Some longer programs have extra features that are not required. Always inquire and see what could be taken out for a lower price tag

● Earning Credit: If the program allows you to earn college credit, then you are eligible for financial aid, just like any other college course, at your future school. Contact your college’s financial aid office and ask about their transfer policies.

● Apply Early: Just like college, it’s important to apply early, particularly for gap year scholarships. There are scholarships, but you are prioritized by how soon you apply. Most scholarships open a year in advance of departure.

Adventure’s out there!

Washington State School Deferral Policies (For other states and school policies, check out http://www.americangap.org/fav-colleges.php)

•Gonzaga University, Spokane. Acceptance rate: 65% (2010). "We require the student to send an email or letter to the Office of Admission requesting to defer their admission for 1 year. We then send a letter back to them confirming that they're admission will be deferred. By February 1st of the following year, they must submit an abbreviated application and their final high school transcript. We will then send them a new acceptance packet. If they want to enroll, they must send a tuition and housing deposit to us by May 1st. Students must fill out a new FAFSA and new applications for any scholarships that require separate applications (most scholarships do not). No federal or institutional aid is deferred." •Whitman College, Walla Walla. Contact the Admissions office for more information. This college has otherwise been known to be favorable to Gap Year students deferring. •Whitworth College, Spokane, (1 year deferral. Students submit their acceptance letter plus a letter to the Dean of Admissions stating their intent for a Gap Year. Financial Aid will transfer) •Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, (2 year deferral, submit re-activation of application; small school with big global mission so while scholarships and aid are not held, Gap experience may make other aid programs available) •Seattle University, Seattle, (no deferral but admissions indicated it was "almost certain" they would be admitted the following year. Talk to admissions counselor before going. •Trinity Lutheran College, Everett. Acceptance rate: 73%. [To defer, a student would need a] written note/email or call to an admissions counselor. The financial aid process starts fresh when they matriculate and all current scholarships would be available to them." •University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, (1 year deferral with written statement and deposit to reserve space. Admissions Counselor wants to stay in touch with students during Gap Year for support and encouragement. Financial aid is generally held. •Western Washington University, Bellingham, (1 year deferral on individual basis with written explanation of Gap project to Admissions Dept.)

Adventure’s out there!