Gap Year in the US

Will you soon finish HAVO, VWO or gymnasium? A gap year in the US offers you a great opportunity to further develop yourself. Thanks to the liberal arts system, you can discover new talents and interests before continuing your studies in the Netherlands.

How can you arrange a gap year?

If you want to take a gap year and study at an American university, there are several options.

Arranging it yourself

You can arrange a gap year in the US yourself, but this takes a lot of time. Not all American universities accept students for a gap year, which means you’ll need to do some research on which universities do. You can then search for non-degree programs or visiting student programs. You can find more information about this on the websites of American universities. Applying for non-degree or visiting students is often fairly straightforward. Additionally, look carefully at the cost of these programs. Oftentimes there are no scholarships available for non-degree or visiting students; as such, it is important to see if you can afford the program before you apply.

Through an organization

There are several organizations that can assist you in applying for a gap year. The Fulbright Commission has two programs for scholars who want to spend a year at an American university after high school.

Campus Scholarship Program

The Campus Scholarship Program is for HAVO and VWO students who wish to spend a gap year studying at an accredited liberal arts college with a scholarship from the university. There is a selection process for this program, and after your selection, your placement at an American university is guaranteed.

We look at which universities match your profile and where you can find the best scholarship opportunities. We also guide you through the entire application process: from applying to universities and obtaining scholarships, to meetings to prepare for your departure to the US.

There are a number of requirements for admission to this program. In addition, your parent(s) must be able to pay a minimum contribution of $22,500. This is the amount you will pay for tuition, room and board at the university.

With a full scholarship

If your parent(s) cannot afford to pay for your year abroad, the Fulbright Commission has one full scholarship available that allows you to spend a gap year studying at an American university: the Trailblazer Opportunity Scholarship. Are you in year 5 of VWO/gymnasium this year? Then apply before the deadline of April 19, 2024.