So you've decided that you want to take a break and embark on a gap year. You know what you want to do, but how do you pay for it? Well, there are many ways to fund your gap years adventures.
Raising your own funds
Raising your own money may be easier than you think. People have come up with some creative ways of fundraising. Local businesses may sponsor you or give goods that can be auctioned off. Experience of fundraising can look impressive on future application forms.
Trusts, grants and charities
There are loads of trusts that give out grants (find a list of some of them
here). Not all of them will give grants to individuals bit the ones that do can provide you with small amounts right up to a few thousand. If you are still at school or college, ask around, there may be travel bursaries available from your institution or locally.
Study and work programmes
Many people take on paid work abroad to cover their living expenses whilst taking a gap year. There are also schemes where money is available for voluntary work or study abroad. For example the
European Voluntary Serviceis for people who want to do voluntary work lasting six to 12 months in another member state of the European Union, and funds 50% of the total cost of each volunteer. The
Erasmus programme exist for those who want to travel and study, and having a foreign language is important for them.
