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Beware of 4 Red Flags of Gap Year Programs

By U.S. News & World Report

The gap year — which involves delaying college to pursue an academic, career-oriented or extracurricular passion — is an increasingly popular pastime for students.

With more students investigating the possibility of taking a gap year, more programs emerge, greatly broadening the options for interested individuals. So it is more important than ever to properly weigh your options when evaluating various gap year programs. While you’re at it, here are four essential red flags to keep an eye out for.

[Here’s how to decide if a gap year makes sense for you.]

1. The cost doesn’t seem right. As with any investment or purchase, cost can be a significant factor when choosing a gap year program. Think about how much you are willing to spend on your gap year, and what you would like to be included in this cost.

While the cost of gap year programs can vary widely, it is important to look beyond their initial prices. In other words, you need to know what the total package consists of.

A program that seemingly offers similar experiences to another, far more expensive program could be a red flag. The more expensive program may include airfare, food, and lodging at a discount, while the less expensive option may include only some or even none of these items.

If you are strongly considering a program that does not include many amenities in its price, make sure to do some calculations of your own before you register for it. See if the cost of in-country bus or rail fares will prove to be prohibitive and if you can afford the living expenses. Also beware of an application fee that is unusually high when compared with similar programs.

[Find scholarships to help you pay for a gap year.]

2. There is a lack of supervision. Many students opt for a gap year between high school and college in an effort to enhance their applications. If this describes you, consider whether the programs you are interested in have an individual in a supervisory role who could provide you with a letter of recommendation, such as an instructor or other educator.

Even if you plan to write about your gap year experience in your application essay, having a person who can speak about how the program has made you a better college applicant can be quite beneficial. If a program lacks this form of guidance and supervision, it may be a sign to look elsewhere.

If you have your heart set on an experience that would benefit from such a supervisor, make sure the experience’s benefits will be obvious, both on their face and in your application essay.

3. Your program doesn’t apply to your academic goals. If your program involves any sort of academic course work, it may be a red flag if that course work is not transferrable to your undergraduate institution of choice.

Not only does this mean that the program benefits you less, but, in some instances, it may call into question the validity of the course work itself. In the long term, it is also important to weigh whether the gap year program you choose will support your larger educational and career goals.

As much as possible, try to ensure that the goals of the gap year program relate to what you believe you will study in college or to your future career. If they do not, the program may not be right for you.

If you are not sure, contact the college you will enroll in the following year — or if you have not picked a college yet, a few of the colleges to which you are planning to apply — and tell them about the program, asking whether the course work will be transferable.

[Learn about how a gap year can make students successful.]

4. The program is slow to respond to questions. It is always a great idea to touch base with at least one student who has completed the gap year program you are considering. If you struggle to do so, this is a significant red flag. Gap year programs that are confident in the quality of their experiences will often grant this information to you willingly.

In addition, as you research programs and reach out to them to ask questions, note their levels of responsiveness. If they are difficult to communicate with now, how will they be if you register and encounter problems later on?

There are many factors to consider when choosing a gap year program including those discussed above. When deciding on a gap year program, first think about why you want to take a gap year and what you hope to gain from it. Any truly informed decision begins here.

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Beware of 4 Red Flags of Gap Year Programs originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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