How do I pay for my LEAPYEAR program?

On this page you can find information about how to finance your LEAPNOW program.  There is information about Federal Financial Aid, scholarships and scholarship services, loans, and fundraising.  Most students that can afford to study on a U.S. campus, can afford to participate in a program that travels abroad, with appropriate planning.  Take some time to read through this page and use the resources, you will likely find that the money is there once you begin searching for it.   If you find that you aren't able to afford LEAPYEAR, please consider our Learn to Serve or Deeper Waters programs, both of which cost significantly less.

Private LEAPYEAR Scholarships:  To further assist students, LEAPNOW reduces students overall program fee based on financial need.  These grants range from $1000 to $12,000, averaging $4,000 per student demonstrating his/her financial need.   We'd like everyone to be able to do the program, and during the past three years of the program, five students have successfully completed the program with VERY minimal to ZERO financial resources. LEAPNOW is committed to making the program available to you if the program is appropriate for you - please don't assume you can't afford it without speaking with our staff!    Go through the FAFSA financial aid process first, then contact us if you find that you will need additional assistance to bridge between what you can pay, and the full LEAPYEAR program cost.

During the second half of the LEAPYEAR program, students do a solo internship which they choose from over 6,000 available in our database of internship options.   Built in to the LEAPYEAR program fee of $31,900, students have a budget of $2,500, which they use during their second semester to pay for internship expenses.   If a student chooses an internship that gives pay, room, food or a stipend, they can substantially reduce the cost of their LEAPYEAR.    For example, many internships in India allow students to save $2,000, while a paying internship in the U.S. can result in savings of up to $4,500.  

Federal Financial Aid

All LEAPYEAR students are enrolled as full-time college students, and are thus eligible for Federal Financial Aid.  Every American citizen is entitled to low-interest student loans.  Federal financial aid is easily accessed through the FAFSA process (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) at www.fafsa.ed.gov.   So the first thing to do to apply for financial aid for LEAPYEAR is to complete the FAFSA form.   Do this online at the FAFSA website, since electronic filing is 4-6 times faster than paper filing (7-10 days processing time versus 4-6 weeks with paper filing).  

It is vital to make or print copies of all forms before sending them to any college.   Keep a folder of all of your financial aid information.  Respond promptly to any verification requests from the school - delays can jeopardize your financial aid award.

After you complete the FAFSA, a Student Aid Report (SAR) is generated.  A copy of your SAR is automatically sent to the financial aid offices at the schools that you highlighted on the FAFSA as prospects.  LEAPYEAR students are enrolled at Antioch University Seattle and the FAFSA Code is E00555.   The SAR shows your family's Expected Family Contribution (EFC) which assists Financial Aid Offices in determining your financial aid award.    The Antioch Financial Aid office will send you an Award Letter listing the amounts of financial aid for which you are eligible.   This may include grants and scholarships (which don't have to be repaid), low-cost Federal Loans including Federal Stafford Loans, and PLUS Loans. 

Washington State residents are eligible for additional financial aid in the form of Washington State Need Grants which are based on income and family size.   These are available since Antioch University Seattle is based in Washington state.

Scholarships available for undergraduate students studying abroad

With advance planning you may be able to obtain scholarship and loan money for your LEAPNOW program.  Below are several scholarships that we have found to be helpful for LEAPNOW students.

Scholarships For Californian Residents, two good resources:

Most states have scholarships for their residents - search for scholarships in your specific state through the Internet.  Also, a number of Universities offer Entrance Scholarships to students that have participated in an alternative education or gap year program.  When you're looking at schools, remember to ask about Gap Year Scholarships.

Free scholarship services and scholarship information

These services offer more information on how to find and apply to scholarships you are eligible for

Loans for study abroad

Fundraising

Get creative.  Try connecting with your local community, religious and academic organization.  Your local Rotary Club is a great place to start.  These groups may set aside funding or take special collections for students.  They might also choose to sponsor a student, because these groups often see students volunteering abroad as representatives or role models and may even ask you to speak at their meetings when you return home.   Past students have written to friends and family and gotten them to give a donation toward their LEAPYEAR in lieu of birthday or Christmas presents.

Other past LEAPYEAR students have substantially reduced the cost of their program by gathering frequent flyer miles for their international and domestic airfares (potential savings of up to $3,000), by choosing low-cost or paying internships, and by fund-raising through friends and family.   LEAPYEAR students have raised up to $7,000 through these kinds of efforts.

Study Abroad Costs | Financial Aid | Study Abroad Loans | Scholarships | Financial Aid | Study Abroad Fundraising

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