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Planning guide · Gap year before college
A gap year is a structured year off between high school and college. Done well, it can fund part of your tuition (AmeriCorps Segal Award), build work experience, and give you clarity on your major. This guide covers the options, the deferral process, and the myths worth ignoring.
AmeriCorps City Year Arizona (Phoenix) is one of the highest-ROI gap year options for Arizona students who need financial aid. You earn a living stipend (~$20,000) plus the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award ($7,395 for a full-year term), which applies directly to college tuition. The program runs August–July, aligning perfectly with a one-year college deferral.
Gap year options — by category
Structured programs
AmeriCorps / City Year
Free + stipend ($20,000–$25,000 + Segal Education Award $7,395)Full-time national service. Service in under-resourced schools or communities. The Segal Award applies directly to tuition. Strong signal on college applications for deferred students.
City Year Arizona (Phoenix)
Free + $20,000 living allowance + Segal AwardSpecific AmeriCorps program in Phoenix public schools. Competitive but highly accessible to Arizona students. Counts as public service experience.
Peace Corps
Free + stipend + Segal Award eligibleTwo-year commitment — doesn't fit a one-year gap, but worth knowing for post-college planning.
Global Citizen Year
$5,000–$15,000 (financial aid available)Gap year bridge program in a developing country with host family + service project. Highly respected by selective colleges.
Work / save money
Working full-time + community college
Earn + save (CC tuition ~$85/credit at Maricopa)Work a full-time job, take 1–2 community college courses at night. You arrive at a 4-year school with savings, work experience, and transferable credits.
Trade / apprenticeship exploration
Earn $15–$25/hr as a paid apprenticeTry a skilled trade through an apprenticeship program before committing to a degree path. Many students discover trade careers pay more than the degree they were pursuing.
Travel / international
Work abroad (farm work, hostel, English teaching)
$0–$3,000 depending on countryCountries like New Zealand, Australia, and Ireland offer working holiday visas for ages 18–30. Cover your costs while traveling.
Language immersion program
$3,000–$15,000 (varies widely)Intensive language study abroad — Spanish in Argentina, Portuguese in Brazil, Japanese in Japan. Strong ROI if the language aligns with your career path.
5 steps to defer your college admission
Apply and get admitted first
Secure your admission before planning the gap year. Some students take a gap year without getting in — this is risky. Admission first, then defer.
Check the school's deferral policy before committing
Not all schools grant deferrals automatically. Some have competitive deferral processes. Some schools require you to reapply for merit scholarships after the gap year. Get the policy in writing.
Submit a deferral request with your plan
Most schools want a 1-page plan: what you're doing, why, what you'll gain. Be specific — "I will serve with AmeriCorps City Year in Phoenix from August 2025 to July 2026" is far stronger than "I want to travel."
Pay your enrollment deposit before deferring
The deposit holds your spot. Most schools require it before they will consider a deferral. ($200–$500 typically; confirm deadline with the school.)
Confirm your financial aid carries over
Merit scholarships sometimes require re-certification after a gap year. FAFSA aid does NOT carry over automatically — you must refile for the year you will actually enroll. Confirm all of this in writing.
4 gap year myths — debunked
"Taking a gap year hurts my chances of graduating."
Studies consistently show gap year students have higher college GPAs and graduation rates than their peers. The extra year of maturity and purpose appears to help — not hurt.
"My financial aid will disappear if I defer."
Institutional merit awards may carry over (check the policy). Federal aid (Pell, loans) must be refiled — but you will still qualify when you enroll. The risk is that your aid package may change because FAFSA uses current-year income, which may differ from the year you applied.
"Gap years are only for rich kids."
Programs like AmeriCorps pay a stipend AND provide a federal education award. A gap year with AmeriCorps literally pays you to defer and then funds your tuition. It's one of the few gap options that benefits lower-income students directly.
"I'll lose momentum and never go to college."
Most students who defer do enroll the following year. The students who never go are those who never enrolled in the first place — not those who deferred a confirmed admission.
"What now?" situation guide
Unsure if a gap year is right for your situation? Start here — the "I need a gap year" path.
How to choose a college major
If major uncertainty is driving your gap year, use this framework before committing to any path.
Career ROI calculator
Run the debt-to-income ratio for the major you're considering before deferring a year.
Application timeline
Understand where in the timeline a gap year most naturally fits (post-admit, pre-enrollment).