Gap Year Scholarships &
Financial Aid

Global Citizen Year awards both merit and need-based gap year scholarships, and is committed to making this experience accessible. The full gap year's cost of tuition is $32,500. To date, 80% of our Fellows have received a partial scholarship, and 30% of those have received a full ride. We will work closely with you and your family to understand your financial need before determining your financial aid package.

During the application process, you’ll have the opportunity to fill out a simple Financial Aid Application and send us your FAFSA.

Your financial need does NOT factor into admissions decisions. Fellows are chosen according to our Selection Criteria, not their ability to pay or financial need.

If you’re admitted to Global Citizen Year, we will work with you and your family to understand your financial need before determining your financial aid package. You’ll receive your financial aid award with your admissions decision.

Each application deadline we honor exceptional applicants who have demonstrated leadership in their classroom and/or community. We are looking for students who take the initiative to stand up for what they believe and collaborate with others to make a positive impact through their leadership experience.

Each year we award up to 20 gap year scholarships between $5,000 - $15,000!

All applicants are automatically considered for the Global Changemaker Scholarship which awards up to $10,000 to a select number of Fellows who demonstrate a track record of significant leadership and entrepreneurship.

Eligibility: All applicants are eligible.

How to Apply: All applicants are automatically considered.

Students who have been admitted to and decide to defer from one of our partner colleges in order to take a gap year with us, will be awarded a $5,000 merit scholarship toward their Global Citizen Year tuition.

Eligibility: Students who have been admitted to and defer from one of our partner colleges. Visit our What About College page for a complete list.

How to Apply: On the application, check off any partner colleges to which you have applied.

Students with a passion for science and technology who intend to pursue a STEM degree in college are invited to apply for one of fifteen Tech For Good merit scholarships. The selected Tech For Good Fellows will be awarded a $10,000 scholarship toward their Global Citizen Year tuition. These Fellows will participate in a special curriculum focusing on the complex relationship between technology, poverty, and development, and explore ways to use technology to drive positive social impact.

Eligibility: US-based applicants with a passion for science and technology and intent to pursue a STEM degree in college. The deadline to apply for this opportunity is April 1, 2020.

How to Apply: Check the Tech For Good box on your application. You will then be prompted to submit a short essay response describing why you are qualified for this scholarship.

Through a partnership with United World Colleges International and patron Shelby M.C. Davis, we are offering up to 40 Davis Global Citizen Year Scholarships. Scholarships cover airfare from Global Citizen Year training in California to your host country, in-country program expenses, and room and board. These gap year scholarships are evaluated based on financial need.

Eligibility: Offered exclusively for UWC students.

How to Apply: Check the UWC Davis Scholarship box on your application.

Students who are part of College Track are eligible for a merit scholarship covering the full cost of the Global Citizen Year program.

Eligibility: Must be a College Track student

How to Apply: Check the College Track box on your application.

Students who are members of the Torch & Laurel honor society are eligible for a $5,000 scholarship to take a Global Citizen Year.

Eligibility: Must be a Torch & Laurel Scholar

How to Apply: Check the Torch & Laurel box on your application.

Deadline: February 15th (priority in country selection with early submission)

Global Citizen Year has cultivated a strong network of outstanding host families abroad. Your tuition includes 8 months room and board (3 meals a day) with one of our trained and vetted host families.

Unlike many gap year programs, Global Citizen Year covers the cost of your round-trip flight from our kick-off training in California to your host country and back.

Global Citizen Year covers your medical and evacuation insurance so that in the unlikely case of an emergency, you will be well taken care of.

Tuition includes on-going leadership training throughout your Global Citizen Year.

• Global Launch: A week-long training at Stanford University featuring world-class speakers from organizations like Kiva, Facebook, and Airbnb.

• Country Launch: Upon arrival in country, six-weeks of orientation and progressively longer immersions to equip you with the cultural, language, and risk-management skills to deeply and safely immerse.

• 3 Training Seminars: These 3-4 day trainings punctuate your immersion experience and offer an opportunity to reconnect with the cohort, process, and learn.

• Re-Entry Training: A week-long training in California bookends your experience and provides a valuable space for reflection, celebration, and connection with the global cohort.

Our Team Leaders are trained youth development professionals who live in the host country and support you in engaging with your community and meeting your goals for the year. Team Leaders conduct bi-monthly check-ins and are on-call for support. We maintain an average 10:1 Fellow to Team Leader ratio.

Your tuition includes intensive language training during your first month in country and on-going weekly tutoring sessions for the following 7 months.

Global Citizen Year covers the transportation costs for Fellows to travel to/from designated locations for trainings in the host country.

To ensure Fellows can easily communicate in country, Global Citizen Year provides all Fellows with a SIM card to put in their personal phone, plus emergency phone credit. Based on financial need, Fellows may qualify for a loaner phone.

• Transportation between your home and US-based trainings
• Immunizations
• Passport & Visa
• Health insurance while in the US
• Personal expenses (independent travel, meals out, souvenirs, etc)
• Early withdrawal or dismissal costs