A program I'm interested in starts taking applications soon, but I need to take a gap year to pay for everything (I just refuse to get loans). Should I apply now and defer enrollment (assuming I get accepted) or wait until application season next year? /Can/ I defer enrollment?
First thing first, I’ve been in your shoes and I’m familiar with this thought process. That said, these are questions that I can’t answer for you, but I can help you think them through to figure out the answers.
I need to take a gap year to pay for everything (I just refuse to get loans).
You seem pretty decided about this, but it might be worth weighing the options and their respective pros and cons. How much would you need in loans? What kind of loans (subsidized federal, unsubsidized federal or private) would you need/have available? If you’re planning on working for a year either way, can you easily pay a loan back (with interest) the year or two after?
Whether you decide to borrow or not, or get accepted into this program or not, definitely work out your budget in as much detail as possible. Getting accepted into the program will likely change your budget, so you’ll want to account for that.
Is this something you can get a scholarship/outside funding for?
Should I apply now and defer enrollment (assuming I get accepted) or wait until application season next year?
That all depends. What kind of position will you theoretically be in next year? What are the eligibility requirements for the program? Is this your last year in school before a gap year?
This is something you would need to ask the program coordinator. You’ll want to be careful, stating that you’re very excited about this program and you want to apply, but you’re concerned about finances getting in the way. Then ask about deferment.
I’d also want to make sure they really don’t offer any kind of stipend.
Since we can’t know the future, it’s difficult to predict all the possible outcomes, but it is possible to account for the possibilities we do know about. You may also want to add more options to this mix: find other (paid) opportunities in the meantime until you’re in a place where you can do something unpaid.
I did things sort of like you: I only took paid opportunities and worked until I could afford something unpaid. I resisted loans until I had to borrow. I know it feels like you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place, but honestly, I’m proud of you for thinking through these decisions and making a game plan to get what you want!
