LEAPYEAR Study Abroad Programs
Logistics & Costs
Costs for Study Abroad Program, Financial Aid, Application Process for Alternative Education
"One of the terrors of being human, and one of the joys, is that for all our limitations and confusions we have been given power. The life that terrifies me and the life that I adore are one life." -David James Duncan
2008 Study Abroad Program, Dates and Regions:
INDIA: August 31, 2008 - May 1, 2009 (with a 6-week Winter Break)
SOUTH AMERICA: September 14, 2008 - May 29, 2009 (with an 8-week Winter Break)
Group size: Each LEAPYEAR group will have no more than 22 participants. While traveling there will be one leader for every six students. During retreats the staff:student ratio is less than 1:3.
Starting & ending location: San Francisco, California
Eligibility: Minimum Age is 17 by the start of the program (not negotiable). Maximum age is 24.
Requirements for the gap year program, study abroad international travel:
- No previous language proficiency is required.
- Participants must have completed high school, and be able to attend the full program.
- We don't accept tobacco users, or anyone in the active grip of any other addiction.
- Anyone in reasonable physical condition should be able to complete the program successfully.
- A vegetarian diet can be sustained throughout the program.
- It is possible to use the program to complete high school, but financial aid is not available if you don't have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Academic Credit:
A full year of college credit is available to those who enroll in LEAPYEAR. Students are enrolled as full-time students in the Antioch University Seattle Liberal Studies B.A. program - earning 36 quarter units of credit during the year. Download info/application packet for details below. Learn more about Antioch University Seattle at : www.antiochseattle.edu.
Application & Admission Process :
If interested in the program, you can download the information and application packet below. Send the fully completed application to the LEAPNOW office - once your application is received, we will contact you to arrange for the interview. Applicants must interview with LEAPNOW in person. LEAPNOW staff are available for the interview in California throughout the year. Please contact our office to schedule a time to meet with us.
Study Abroad Program Cost:
LEAPYEAR tuition and fees is $29,900 and includes all scheduled program activities, food and accommodation during the program, and one full year of college credit. The program cost includes a full year of additional internship placements, and ongoing annual reunions. Not included is the cost of round-trip transportation to northern California during the program, international airfare, personal medical insurance (usually covered under parents' policy), and personal spending money.
LEAPYEAR is a first year of college and is significantly cheaper than a year at most private colleges, despite the fact that the program includes all food and accommodations. Since all LEAPYEAR students are enrolled as full-time college students, they are thus eligible for Federal Financial Aid, which is accessed through the FAFSA process (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Every American citizen is entitled to low-interest student loans. Grants and scholarships are also available through your state, high school, and through private organizations - a list of websites, books and other resources are available by clicking the "How to pay for LEAPYEAR" link below.
Past LEAPYEAR students have substantially reduced the cost of their program by gathering frequent flyer miles for their international and domestic airfares, by doing a paying internship in the United States or less commonly abroad (potential savings up to $4500), and by fund-raising through friends and family (past students have been able to raise up to $7500 on their own.)
LEAPNOW is committed to making the study abroad 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!
Additional articles:
Any questions? Read the LEAPYEAR FAQ.
Download the LEAPYEAR Application and Information Packet.