--- title: Download your free gap year program guide description: Download this free Gap Year Guide. It's packed with the information you need to make sure your gap year before high school or after college is a successful experience that will prepare you for your future. --- - [Find a Course](https://www.nols.edu/courses/) - [Events](https://www.nols.edu/events/) - [Catalog](https://www.nols.edu/catalog/) - [Blog](https://www.nols.edu/blog/) - [Store](https://www.nols.edu/store/) - Start - [Expeditions](https://www.nols.edu/expeditions/) - [Wilderness Medicine](https://www.nols.edu/wilderness-medicine/) - [Professionals](https://www.nols.edu/professionals/) - [Organizations](https://www.nols.edu/organizations/) - [About](https://www.nols.edu/about/) - [Alumni](https://www.nols.edu/alumni/) - [Giving](https://www.nols.edu/giving/) - Help - Contact Us - [800-710-6657](tel:1+800-710-6657) - [Email Us](https://www.nols.edu/contact/) - [Account](https://portal.nols.edu/portal/account/) - Account - [Login](https://portal.nols.edu/portal/account/) - [Create an Account](https://www.nols.edu/portal/account/register/) - [Your Account](https://portal.nols.edu/portal/account/) - [Logout](https://www.nols.edu/en/portal/account/logout/) - [Search](https://info.nols.edu/8-steps-to-a-successful-gap-year#search) Search 10% off Winter Expedition Courses - Start - Start - [Expeditions](https://www.nols.edu/expeditions/why-nols/) - Expeditions - [Why NOLS](https://www.nols.edu/expeditions/why-nols/) - [What to Expect](https://www.nols.edu/expeditions/what-to-expect/) - [Campuses](https://www.nols.edu/expeditions/campuses/) - [Skills](https://www.nols.edu/expeditions/skills/) - [Planning](https://www.nols.edu/expeditions/planning/) - [Wilderness Medicine](https://www.nols.edu/wilderness-medicine/why-nols/) - Wilderness Medicine - [Why NOLS](https://www.nols.edu/wilderness-medicine/why-nols/) - [Courses](https://www.nols.edu/wilderness-medicine/courses/) - [Planning](https://www.nols.edu/wilderness-medicine/planning/) - [Resources](https://www.nols.edu/wilderness-medicine/resources/) - [Sponsors](https://www.nols.edu/wilderness-medicine/sponsors/) - [Professionals](https://www.nols.edu/professionals/why-nols/) - Professionals - [Why NOLS](https://www.nols.edu/professionals/why-nols/) - [Outdoor Careers](https://www.nols.edu/professionals/outdoor-careers/) - [Wilderness Medicine](https://www.nols.edu/professionals/wilderness-medicine/) - [Resources](https://www.nols.edu/professionals/resources/) - [Organizations](https://www.nols.edu/organizations/why-nols/) - Organizations - [Why NOLS](https://www.nols.edu/organizations/why-nols/) - [Who We Train](https://www.nols.edu/organizations/who-we-train/) - [Our Impact](https://www.nols.edu/organizations/our-impact/) - [Resources](https://www.nols.edu/organizations/resources/) - [Get Started](https://www.nols.edu/organizations/get-started/) - [About](https://www.nols.edu/about/) - About - [Mission](https://www.nols.edu/about/mission/) - [History](https://www.nols.edu/about/history/) - [Stewardship & Sustainability](https://www.nols.edu/about/stewardship-sustainability/) - [Our Team](https://www.nols.edu/about/our-team/) - [Resources](https://www.nols.edu/about/resources/) - [Policies](https://www.nols.edu/about/resources/policies/) - [High School Credit](https://www.nols.edu/about/resources/high-school-credit/) - [College Credit](https://www.nols.edu/about/resources/college-credit/) - [Alumni](https://www.nols.edu/en/alumni/) - Alumni - [Trips](https://www.nols.edu/en/alumni/trips/) - [Benefits](https://www.nols.edu/en/alumni/benefits/) - [Engage](https://www.nols.edu/en/alumni/engage/) - [Share Your Story](https://www.nols.edu/en/alumni/share-your-story/) - [Continuing Education](https://www.nols.edu/en/alumni/continuing-education/) - [Resources](https://www.nols.edu/en/alumni/resources/) - [Giving](https://www.nols.edu/en/main-nav/giving/) - Giving - [Priorities](https://www.nols.edu/en/main-nav/giving/priorities/) - [Step Forward](https://www.nols.edu/en/main-nav/giving/priorities/step-forward/) - [Impact](https://www.nols.edu/en/main-nav/giving/impact/) - [Ways to Give](https://www.nols.edu/en/main-nav/giving/ways-to-give/) - [News](https://www.nols.edu/en/main-nav/giving/news/) - [Find a Course](https://www.nols.edu/en/courses) - [Events](https://www.nols.edu/en/top-nav/events/) - [Catalog](https://info.nols.edu/request-a-brochure) - [Blog](https://blog.nols.edu/) - Blog - [Camping](https://www.nols.edu/en/top-nav/blog/expedition-prep/) - [Leadership](https://www.nols.edu/en/top-nav/blog/behind-scenes/) - [First Aid](https://www.nols.edu/en/top-nav/blog/wilderness-medicine/) - [Stories](https://www.nols.edu/en/top-nav/blog/live-dream/) - [Education](https://www.nols.edu/en/top-nav/blog/educators-notebook/) - [Store](https://store.nols.edu/) - Store - [Clothing](https://www.nols.edu/en/top-nav/store/clothing/) - [First Aid](https://www.nols.edu/en/top-nav/store/first-aid/) - [Gear](https://www.nols.edu/en/top-nav/store/gear/) - [Publications](https://www.nols.edu/en/top-nav/store/publications/) - Help - Help - [800-710-6657](tel:1+800-710-6657) - [info@nols.edu](mailto:info@nols.edu) - Account - Account - [Login](https://www.nols.edu/en/portal/account/login/) - [Create an Account](https://www.nols.edu/en/portal/account/register/) - [Your Account](https://www.nols.edu/en/portal/account/) - [Logout](https://www.nols.edu/en/portal/account/logout/) # Your Successful Gap Year Starts Here Credit: Nacho Grez ## Take Time for Your Future Prepare to lead and adapt in a changing world. Stand out from your peers and consider a gap experience with NOLS. The extended and immersive lessons of a NOLS expedition are life-changing. You'll emerge with confidence, competence, direction, courage, and perspective.   ## 8 Steps to a Successful Gap Year Get the most out of your gap year with this free guide ![8-steps-gap-year-fall-2016](https://info.nols.edu/hubfs/Campaigns/Gap-Year/8-steps-gap-year-fall-2016.png) ![gap-year-program-seal.png](https://info.nols.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Campaigns/Gap-Year/gap-year-program-seal.png?width=200&name=gap-year-program-seal.png "gap-year-program-seal.png") ## Stories from the Blog [![cass-colman-tea-house-india-1024x683-1](https://info.nols.edu/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/cass-colman-tea-house-india-1024x683-1.jpg)](https://blog.nols.edu/2020/02/20/nols-gap-year-myths) ### [5 Myths About A NOLS Gap Year](https://blog.nols.edu/2020/02/20/nols-gap-year-myths) Worried that a NOLS gap year expedition is beyond your reach in terms of timing, finances, or technical skills? Guess again! [![nick-garrett-zealand-mountains-5](https://info.nols.edu/hubfs/social-suggested-images/nick-garrett-zealand-mountains-5.jpg)](https://blog.nols.edu/2017/04/12/get-off-the-grid-for-a-gap-year) ### [Get Off The Grid For A Gap Year](https://blog.nols.edu/2017/04/12/get-off-the-grid-for-a-gap-year) Staff around NOLS share why they think it’s a good idea to get off the grid for a gap year. [![c_burgeson2-1](https://info.nols.edu/hubfs/Email/Newsletters/NOLSie_News/2019/December/c_burgeson2-1.jpg)](https://blog.nols.edu/2018/10/15/i-left-school-for-nols-semester) ### [Why I Left School for a NOLS Semester](https://blog.nols.edu/2018/10/15/i-left-school-for-nols-semester) Claire found the new experiences and energy she needed to refresh from school on a Semester in Baja. ## Financial Aid Students on gap years with NOLS can access scholarships from NOLS in addition to using 529 savings plans, consortium agreements for federal financial aid, veterans’ benefits, and AmeriCorps awards. [Financial Aid Options](https://nols.edu/en/expeditions/planning/financial-aid/) ## Academic Credit Earn up to 27 credit hours in a variety of fields, including Cultural Studies, Leadership Techniques, Environmental Studies, and Risk Management. [Academic Credit Options](https://nols.edu/en/expeditions/planning/academic-credit/) ## Featured Courses [![Students sitting on a rock ledge listen to an instructor's climbing lesson in the northern Rockies. ](https://info.nols.edu/hubfs/NOLS%20Expeditions/NOLS%20Rocky%20Mountain/Rock%20Climbing%20-%20NOLS%20Rocky%20Mountain/dave-anderson-dea16813.jpg)](https://www.nols.edu/en/coursefinder/courses/rocky-mountain-outdoor-educator-OEC/) ### [Rocky Mountain Outdoor Educator](https://www.nols.edu/en/coursefinder/courses/rocky-mountain-outdoor-educator-OEC/) [![A student smiles as they reach the top of a pitch while rock climbing in the backcountry.](https://info.nols.edu/hubfs/NOLS%20Expeditions/NOLS%20Rocky%20Mountain/Rock%20Climbing%20-%20NOLS%20Rocky%20Mountain/Matt_Hage_Climbing-20.jpg)](https://www.nols.edu/en/coursefinder/courses/year-in-the-united-states-YUS/) ### [Year in the United States](https://www.nols.edu/en/coursefinder/courses/year-in-the-united-states-YUS/) [![jared-steinman-rm-15](https://info.nols.edu/hubfs/NOLS%20Expeditions/NOLS%20Southwest/Backpacking%20-%20NOLS%20Southwest/jared-steinman-rm-15.jpg)](https://www.nols.edu/en/coursefinder/courses/spring-semester-in-the-rockies-with-wfr-SSRM/) ### [Spring Semester in the Rockies with WFR](https://www.nols.edu/en/coursefinder/courses/spring-semester-in-the-rockies-with-wfr-SSRM/) ### Email [Send us an email](https://nols.edu/en/contact) ### Live Chat Mon-Fri, 8:00am-5:00pm MT ### Phone [800-710-6657](tel:1+800-710-6657) Mon-Fri, 8:00am-5:00pm MT ### Address 284 Lincoln Street 
Lander, WY 82520 - [About](https://nols.edu/en/about/) - [Media](https://press.nols.edu) - [Jobs](https://nols.edu/en/about/our-team/employment/) - [Policies](https://nols.edu/en/about/resources/policies/) - [Contact](https://info.nols.edu/contact-nols) - - - -