9 Gap Year Scholarships to Apply for Now

You want scholarships for students who took a gap year—we got ‘em. ☆ A year discovering Latin American culture dancing to the beat of Brazilian samba or perhaps a semester working on a farm under the Tuscan sun in Italy. What about some time breathing fresh air as you wander through the quaint English countryside while having a lovely, proper Anglo-Saxon experience. Ooo, or feasting your way through the street foods of India. Whatever your reason, a gap year is an excellent way to do something different while getting out to see a bit of the world. But if you’ve found yourself here you probably don’t need to be convinced. Odds are, you’re on the hunt for some paper to help get you closer to your dreams. 

You should consider applying for some good ole gap year funding because the truth is, it all adds up. Whether you’re going for the true gap year or consider a gap semester, any extra dough could help you along the way. Let’s get one thing straight though. Gap year scholarships all provide cold hard cash. Of course, right. What’s not so straight forward are the eligibility criteria. Some are based strictly on merit, others take into account your financial need, and a select few want to see what kind of a videographer you are. Not so obvious, eh? The point is, there are many solutions for the widest range of gap year hopefuls. Our list here is to give you a hand, to help sift through the paaaages of scholarship opportunities found on Google.

You’ve already scoured our list of affordable gap year programs and need something more. Have a look at some of these exciting gap year scholarships and opportunities!

9 gap year scholarships with upcoming deadlines

These scholarships for gap year students can help off-set your overall travel costs—we get that paying for a gap year when the cash flow is low requires some thrifty thinking!

1. Travel Access Project Gap Year Financial Aid

Quick! Consider submitting your candidature for this one. The Travel Access Project (TAP) is awarding up to 10 scholarships for gap year students who intend to go abroad during the 2019-2020 academic year. This opportunity is open to everyone - no age nor citizenship restrictions. Wherever you’re from, you’re eligible! Not only are successful candidates awarded a nice lump sum of cold hard cash, they are also awarded with membership to the Gap Year Association, support from the TAP’s office, along with some travel gear and exclusive discounts for travelers. Yes, indeed, you may have your adventure cake and eat it, too. This opportunity is more than just a gap year scholarship.

• Award: $3000
• Deadline: March 
• More scholarship info

2. Rustic Pathways Gap Year Scholarship

Where merit meets financial need, the Rustic Pathways Gap Year Scholarship awards up to $40,000 who demonstrate both a commitment to academic excellence and the financial need to make their dreams become realities. While this large sum of money sounds amazing, and yes it is, the award amount is determined by financial need. There are a few criteria for this program but most notably, be away that an awarded scholarship is applicable to a single semester program. Gap year funding has never looked so rad. 

• Award: Up to $ 40,000 (need-based)
• Deadline: March 
• More info

3. Dr. Natalia Gómez Passport Scholarship

The Dr. Natalia Gómez Passport Scholarship was an initiative established in 2014, in the name of a former Grand Valley State University Laker to help empower individuals with disabilities to go abroad while offsetting the (sometimes steep) cost of essential travel items. This humble gap year scholarship is eligible for individuals with a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Interested candidates must provide legitimate documentation that they are going abroad for a gap year in the fall and proof they purchased their passport recently. Save where you can with this unique scholarships for gap year students!

• Award: $135
• Deadline: June 
• More info

4. EF Gap Year Scholarships

Education First, also known around the globe as EF, currently has up to $20,000 of gap year program scholarships available to the best of candidates. These ambassador scholarships are available for both gap years and gap semesters. There are two gap year scholarships at $2,000 a pop and six $1,000 gap semester scholarships for gap year (or in this case, semester) students. EF is on the lookout for bright individuals that are skilled in writing, photography, or videography. This isn’t your conventional gap year funding application - if you’re a writer you may submit a short essay, if your a photographer, they’d love to see a few of your best shots, and for the video folks, you can submit up to a five minute video demonstrating your skills. Cha-ching!

• Award: $2000
• Deadline: June or October 
• More info

5. Omprakash Ethikal Global Engagement Grants

Omprakash’s do-good gap year program scholarships are intended to help offset the cost of not only travel, but also living and tuition expenses for the most exceptional of candidates. Successful applications will have the opportunity to join Omprakash’s innovative EdGE learning community while volunteering or interning abroad during a gap year three months or more with one of their international partner organizations. Anyone is eligible to apply for an Omprakash Grant, regardless of nationality, age, gender, religion, or any other background characteristics though it should be noted that this gap year financial aid program is limited to applicants who are 22 years of age or younger. With program partners on nearly every continent, have a look for yourself here to determine where you’re interested in going. A bonus to award recipients is that you will have the chance to connect with fellow humanitarians like yourself. Procrastinators beware! There’s not a specific deadline set in stone for this one (;

• Award: $2500
• Deadline: None! It’s recommended to apply at least three months before take-off, though
• More info

6. Gap Year Escape Scholarship Programme

This nifty gap year scholarship program (if we’re speaking in American English), is good to recognize one lucky duck who has displayed fundamental skills in the e-commerce sphere. Do you have something to show for your competencies in fields such as Marketing, Business, Journalism, Media or Communications? If so, mark your calendars for this deadline. Since 2009, Gap Year Escape has been awarding one $500 gap year scholarship to promote while providing mobility to qualified candidates. All qualified applicants must be bachelor or master degree seeking in one of the disciplines mentioned during the 2018-2019 academic year. The application is rather straightforward—a 500 word essay on how you might start a business with $500. If you’re not a math major, that’s a dollar a word!

• Award: $500
• Deadline: July
• More info

7. Link Year Scholarship

These nifty scholarships for gap year students is geared toward prospective students with financial, spiritual, and emotional needs. Link Year’s noble idea is to help those interested in developing dynamic Christian leadership skills through life-changing experiences. To request financial assistance there are a few simple guidelines which include completing a Link Year application, a 1,000 word essay, and proof of your financial need. Empower yourself as a future leader to make an impact in the world with the help of this funding opportunity. Do yourself a favor and check this opportunity out!

• Award: Contact Link Year for more info
• Deadline: April
• More info

8. Browser Youth Award

Six, read it again, 6 (!) lucky ducks will be the recipients of a cash prize of $3,000 in gap year financial aid. Are you between the ages of 13 to 22 years old from North America, including Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean Islands, and the United States Territories? If so, this one’s you shouldn’t miss. Graciously offered by the Earth Islands Institute in the name of renowned environmental advocate David Brower, who was quoted saying “I love to see what young people can do, before someone old tells them it’s impossible.” If you’re working for the planet and have a fresh idea to approach one of the many relevant environmental challenges, this.is.for.you!

• Award: $3000
• Deadline: May
• More info

9. Greenheart First Time Traveler Scholarships

A grand total of $12,000 in gap year funding is up for grabs courtesy of the kind folks over at Greenheart travel. There are five individual scholarships of $1,000 for adults, one individual scholarship of $4,000 for a lucky high schooler, one individual scholarship of $1,000 for a teen interested in a language program, and one individual scholarship of $1,000 USD for a lucky teen or adult. These handsome amounts are valid for individuals who have the desire for travel and cultural immersion. A few things are needed to apply like a letter of recommendation, a paragraph explaining why you consider yourself to be a first time traveler (see their site to learn more), and either a written, video or photo essay. These partial gap year program scholarships will give your gap year budget quite a bit of a boost!

• Award: $4000
• Deadline: April
• More info & application

A few more tips to get gap year financial aid

Since you’re well on your way to figuring out your gap year cost, here’s additional pearls of wisdom to help you win scholarships for gap year students.

• Write your gap year scholarship essay in advance! Every application is going to require some length of words. Save yourself the night-before-it’s-due stress and get writing. Once you’ve drafted it, hit up a friend or English professor to proofread it.
• Apply to more than one. The proof isn’t in the pudding here. The more gap year scholarships you apply for, the better your odds are. You don’t need semester of statistics to realize this one!
• Deadlines! Be aware. Some of these deadlines are fast approaching. Don’t delay, get your application in yesterday.
• Don’t hold your breath. Be patient. It might take a minute to receive feedback from these awarding institutions. Have a cup of chamomile or something.
• Can you take a gap year for free? It’s worth a shot!

Secure your gap year funding!

Have a look at some of our recommended gap year opportunities here. And check back in every so often as this list is updated as new opportunities emerge.

With a little bit of luck along with some timely submitted applications with well written essays, the gap year funding odds just might be in your favor. Experience the power and pleasure of a gap year while doing yourself a favor. Funding isn’t the most glamorous of tasks but it might help you actually get where you want to be.

Get Matched with 5 Affordable Gap Year Programs for FREE