You can afford a gap year without going into debt by planning carefully and using financial strategies. An ideal gap year includes personal growth and hands-on learning while protecting long-term financial health.
Definition: A budget-friendly gap year is a low-cost detour from a linear education path supported by parents, work, work exchange, scholarships, and volunteer programs. These affordable gap years offer experiential learning and cultural immersion while avoiding long-term debt.
When I took a gap year to study Korean, money was one of my biggest concerns. However, due to the schedule of my Korean language courses, which were from 9 AM to 1 PM, this gave me the opportunity to work part-time in the afternoons.
While my gap year was quite stressful during my midterm and final exam periods for my Korean language course, I have no regrets and believe I went on the best gap year semester program I could have gone on: I learned Korean, I worked part-time, but most importantly, I didn’t break the bank.
In this article, we break down scholarships, financial aid options, free and low-cost programs, and practical budgeting tips to help you make your gap year after high school affordable.
The total cost of a gap year can vary from $3,000 to $20,000. It depends on your activities, location, and lifestyle. In short, the price will depend on the type of gap year program you want to go on.
But cost doesn’t have to be a barrier. Understanding where your money will go is the first step to managing it effectively.
Here’s a breakdown of typical monthly expenses for gap year students, comparing low-cost destinations (e.g., Southeast Asia, Central America) with higher-cost regions (e.g., Western Europe, Australia).
| Expense Category | Low Expense Countries | High Expense Countries |
| Communication (Phone + Data + Wi-Fi) | $10–15 Local SIM plans (e.g. Thailand, Vietnam) |
$45–70 Unlimited plans (e.g. US, Canada) |
| Travel Insurance | $40–50 Basic global coverage |
$80–90 Comprehensive coverage |
| Banking & Fees (ATMs, FX) | $20–30 Fee-free cards, local cash |
$20–30 Bank fees + FX conversion |
| Activities & Entertainment | $300–500 Markets, museums, hikes |
$500–1,000 Tours, shows, nightlife |
| Education & Skills (Courses, Enrollment, Certifications) | $10–250 Duolingo, language exchange, or online courses |
$1,000–4,000 Accredited university programs, private language schools |
| Laundry & Cleaning | $20–40 Wash & fold by weight |
$30–60 U.S. laundromats, dry cleaning |
| Gear Maintenance & Tech | $15–25 Repairs, cables |
$60–100 Accessory replacement, electronics |
| Visas & Permits | $30–40 Visa on arrival, 30-day extensions |
$30–50 ESTA, work/holiday visas |
| Taxes & Loan Payments | $0–100 No debt or deferred loans |
$400–600 Typical U.S. student loan payments |
| Storage & Home Commitments | $30–60 5×5 ft unit in low-cost cities |
$90–120 10×10 or climate-controlled |
| Gifts & Donations | $25–40 Souvenirs, thank-you meals |
$70–100 Host gifts, community stops |
| Emergency Fund Set-Aside | $100–200 10% of low-range monthly spend |
$250–400 10% of high-range monthly spend |
| Total Estimated Range (Monthly) | $600 – $1,350 | $2,575 – $6,620 |
Make sure to include all necessary living expenses in your budget. These baseline costs support your life during a gap year regardless of what you choose to do: volunteering abroad during your gap year, traveling abroad, or participating in a structured program.
Students are able to offset their expenses or end their gap year with extra savings by working full-time or taking on part-time jobs. Teaching English, working in hospitality, or picking up freelance jobs online are common ways students earn money and gain work experience during their gap year. It’s a realistic way to help fund their adventure and build financial independence.
A study following 73 young South Africans after university enrollment found that, “taking time out from study…was often valuable and is being conceptualised in a variety of interesting ways that go beyond the elite idea of international travel to include finding work to save up for another year of study” (Marshall et al. 141).
Part of me still finds it really hard to see my friends get their first adult job, start their life while I’ve just started uni. But then I remind myself of everything else that I’ve done. Like, I already have three years of working experience, and it might have been in hospitality, but that doesn’t mean that it wasn’t valuable for me. I learned so much from my hospitality jobs, and my gap years made me pursue my hobbies and my interests. So I started YouTube, I started traveling, and that sort of led me to post on TikTok. And because of that, I now have a job working in social media while I’m at uni. At the same age that my friends are getting their first adult job.
There are students who do not know that there are scholarships and financial aid programs specifically designed to support gap year participants.
Tip: Check which programs require the financial aid FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to determine your eligibility and maximize funding options.
Here are some stats about scholarships and financial aid for you:
During my time at university, I met my friend from Cambodia after joining a data science club who she was the vice-president of. I was curious how her Korean was so good, and she told me she got a scholarship to study Korean in Busan for a year right after high school.
That scholarship gave her the chance to focus on Korean for a full year in Busan. After that, she got into Yonsei University (one of Korea’s top schools) and was able to take all her computer science classes in Korean.
Now she’s working as a developer at one of the biggest telecom companies in Korea.
Here’s how you could also get a scholarship for your gap year:
When you serve with AmeriCorps, you may qualify for the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award, which:
There are gap year programs that integrate with AmeriCorps, meaning you could serve, gain leadership skills, and earn college credit while reducing financial pressure.
“We cannot thank you (Carly) and RP enough for the generous scholarship…it opened the door to her for a life-changing experience. In all of our contacts with her, she is smiling, vibrant, and enthusiastic about the service projects. “ – Rustic Pathways scholarship recipient, Nancy, parents
Not all gap year experiences need to come with a price tag. In fact, some of the best options are low-cost, or even free especially when paired with service work.
Work exchanges or volunteering abroad help you save money and have a positive impact on your well-being. Students say their gap year and mental health improved while they gained new experiences, purpose and perspective.
Affordable Program Models
Fact: A few long-term volunteer programs with community partnerships offer reduced or no upfront costs, but most programs include some fees.
Creating a detailed gap year budget ensures you stay in control of your money and avoid surprises.
| Category | Example Expenses |
| Housing | Rent, utilities, host families, service housing |
| Food | Grocery runs, meal plans, dining out |
| Transportation | Flights, buses, metro cards, fuel, insurance |
| Program Fees | Registration costs, tuition for language or volunteer work |
| Health & Safety | Insurance, vaccinations, first aid |
| Extras | Travel gear, excursions, communication (SIM cards, Wi-Fi) |
Download a Gap Year Budget Template to organize these expenses before you depart.
For young people, a creative combination of fundraising, savings, and scholarships makes their gap year a reality.
Fundraising Ideas That Work:
According to anecdotal reports from gap year alumni, it’s possible to raise a significant portion of gap year program costs through grassroots efforts like fundraising campaigns and freelance work, gaining communication skills in the process. 4 in 10 gap year alumni earned money during their gap year (Gap Year Association 8).
For students planning a gap year and college admissions, understanding creative financing options can make all the difference.
| Method | How It Works | Best For |
| GoFundMe | Share your story online and request donations | Service projects or international trips |
| Sponsorship Letters | Ask local groups for financial backing | Students involved in community or cultural exchange |
| Offer Freelance Work | Provide tutoring, design, or content creation | Creators and skill-based earners |
Did you know? In Google Books, the phrase “gap year” appeared less than 0.0000004% of the time in 1995 but increased over 36 times to 0.0000132% by 2022 (Google Books Ngram Viewer).
Affording a gap year is about strategy. For admitted students deferring enrollment under your school’s college deferment policy or someone exploring their academic future before higher education, the opportunity to travel, learn, and grow is within reach.
With planning, funding, and flexibility, your gap year can be both financially sustainable and personally transformative.
Gap Year Association. Gap Year Alumni 2020 National Survey Report. Gap Year Association, 2021, p. 8.
Gap Year Association. 2022 State of the Field Report. Gap Year Association, 2022, pp. 11–12.
Google Books Ngram Viewer. “gap year.” books.google.com/ngrams. Accessed 21 May 2025.
@jasminrostock. “This is my advice for anyone who is feeling unsure about taking gap years due to feeling ‘behind’ from your friends xx.” TikTok, 8 Apr. 2025.
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