If someone has been awarded a scholarship but wants to take a gap year, will colleges hold the scholarship for the next year? Or do you give everything up?
I m not a parent but I can answer that question; Frequently, would defer your admission AND scholarship, but you have to make sure with your school’s admission AND scholarship office. Make sure to fill in Scholarship deferral application if you have to fill in
I had to take off last fall term because of visa delay, and University of Alabama(which I am attending currently) deferred my presidential scholarship and admission for a term.
You would have to ask the school.
A gap year implies you are not accepting the admission offer and will reapply in a year.
You might better ask to defer your enrollment for the year. That way, you don’t have to reapply. Some schools will allow this. You would still need to contact the school regarding merit aid awards and what happens if you defer enrollment for the year.
I called it wrong then. I mean you’re accepting the offer and intend to enroll at the school but want to delay a year. This is hypothetical.
Still same
Well…if it’s hypothetical then there is no answer…because the only way to really know is to contact the schools directly and ask. Since there isn’t really a school here…this question cannot be answered.
Thanks Paul for your answer. Does anyone besides Paul actually have an experience with this and can answer with your experience?
Not at all. It can be, but it doesn’t have to be. A million years ago I took a gap year before starting college. Many colleges, including Harvard actually encourage students to take a gap year. https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/preparing-college/should-i-take-time
Financial aid packages shouldn’t be an issue, but merit scholarships and scholarships awarded by outside committees definitely could be, so you should check ahead of time. If it’s important to you check the schools you think you might apply to.
My D (HS 13) took a gap year (after accepting admission). The opportunity came up in Summer after she had already registered for classes. The University was happy to defer her admission for a year but originally said she would have to reapply/re-audition for her merit scholarship. After a couple of phone calls/discussion, they reconsidered and allowed her to do both. At one of the college she did not end up attending, the merit scholarship award letter indicated that it was that college’s policy to allow a one-year deferral on admission and the merit scholarship. So I think it really depends on the college. I do think that most/many colleges are happy to defer admission for a year (which means they are holding your spot and you are agreeing not to apply elsewhere during the gap year).
If you google “gap year, xxxx university” you can see gap year policies of that school.
This is going to vary by college and by scholarship; you’d have to call the college and ask.