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The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) generally requires that you report a forgiven or canceled debt as income for tax purposes. But forgiven student loan debt is different.

The American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act specifies that student loan debt discharged between 2021 and 2025, and incurred for postsecondary education expenses, will not be counted as income, and therefore does not incur a federal tax liability.

This includes federal Direct Loans, Family Federal Education Loans (FFEL), Perkins Loans, and federal consolidation loans. Additionally, non-federal loans such as state education loans, institutional loans direct from colleges and universities, and even private student loans also qualify.

However, some states have indicated that they still count canceled student loans as taxable income. Read on for more information about which discharged student debt is taxable and by whom.

Different Student Loan Forgiveness Programs

Federal student debt can be canceled via an income-driven repayment plan (IDR) or forgiveness programs.

While President Joe Biden’s plan to offer federal debt cancellation of up to $20,000 to those with qualifying income failed — struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court — other forms of student loan forgiveness have been strengthened.

In October 2023, the White House announced at least $127 billion in student loan relief for nearly 3.6 million Americans:

•   $5.2 billion in additional debt relief for 53,000 borrowers under Public Service Loan Forgiveness programs.

•   Nearly $2.8 billion in new debt relief for nearly 51,000 borrowers through fixes to income-driven repayment. These are borrowers who made 20 years or more of payments but never got the relief they were entitled to.

•   $1.2 billion for nearly 22,000 borrowers who have a total or permanent disability who have been identified and approved for discharge through a data match with the Social Security Administration.

Recommended: Guide to Student Loan Forgiveness

Whose Student Loan Cancellation Is Not Federally Taxed?

As stated earlier, under the provisions of the ARP Act, any student debt (private or federal) for post-secondary education that was or is forgiven in the years of 2021 through 2025 will not be federally taxed. This means that the borrowers just listed above were not required to report their discharged loan amount as earned income, and therefore taxable.

Outside of the special five-year window of tax exemption provided by the ARP Act, participants in the Public Service Federal Loan program who receive forgiveness also don’t have to worry about paying taxes on the canceled amount. The program explicitly states that earned forgiveness through PSLF is not considered taxable income.

Recommended: A Look Into the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

Whose Student Loan Cancellation Is Federally Taxed?

Borrowers who receive loan cancellation after participating fully in an income-driven loan repayment plan can generally expect to pay taxes. Again, those whose debt was discharged in 2021 and 2022, or will be discharged in 2023, 2024, or 2025, will not need to pay federal taxes on their forgiven loans.

Forgiven amounts that are taxable are treated as earned income during the fiscal year it was received. Your lender might issue tax Form 1099-C to denote your debt cancellation.


💡 Quick Tip: Enjoy no hidden fees and special member benefits when you refinance student loans with SoFi.

Which States Have Said They Will Tax Forgiven Student Loans?

Typically, states follow the tax policy of the federal government. But some states have announced that their residents must include their forgiven or canceled student loan amount on their state tax returns.

As of October 2023, the states that say forgiven loans are taxable are Mississippi, North Carolina, Indiana, Wisconsin, and possibly Arkansas, depending on an upcoming vote in its legislature. More states could decide to do so.

It’s important to consult a qualified tax accountant or someone knowledgeable about forgiveness of student loans in your state to confirm the latest information of how much you owe.

Preparing to Pay Discharged Student Loan Taxes

If you’re anticipating a tax liability after receiving loan forgiveness, there are a few steps you can take today to get ready.

Step 1: Estimate Your Bill

The first step when bracing for a student loan forgiveness tax bill is calculating how much you might owe come tax season. This factor can be influenced by factors including the type of forgiveness you are receiving and the forgiven amount.

To avoid sticker shock, you can use a student loan forgiveness tax calculator, like the Loan Simulator on StudentAid.gov. It lets you see how much of your student loan debt might be forgiven, based on your projected earnings.

Step 2: Choose the Right Plan

Enrolling your federal student loans into an IDR plan can help you keep your monthly payments to a manageable amount while you’re awaiting loan forgiveness. All of these repayment plans calculate your monthly payment based on your income and family size.

The newest IDR program is the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan, which offers unique benefits that will lower payments for many borrowers, to as low as 5% of disposable income in 2024 for those who qualify.

Recommended: The SAVE Plan: What Student Loan Borrowers Need to Know

Step 3: Prioritize Saving

If you’re expecting loan forgiveness after 2025, it might be advantageous to allocate extra cash flow toward a dedicated tax savings fund. Incrementally setting money aside over multiple years can ease the burden of a sudden lump sum tax bill down the line.

Paying Taxes on Canceled Student Loan

If you can’t afford to cover an increased tax bill, contact the IRS to discuss your options. Inquire about payment plans that can help you pay smaller tax payments over a longer period of time. However, be aware that fees and interest will likely accrue.


💡 Quick Tip: Refinancing could be a great choice for working graduates who have higher-interest graduate PLUS loans, Direct Unsubsidized Loans, and/or private loans.

The Takeaway

Thanks to a special law passed by Congress in 2021, post-secondary education loans forgiven from 2021 through 2025 will not count as earned income and will not be federally taxed. That said, state taxes may be due, depending on where the borrower lives.

Looking to lower your monthly student loan payment? Refinancing may be one way to do it — by extending your loan term, getting a lower interest rate than what you currently have, or both. (Please note that refinancing federal loans makes them ineligible for federal forgiveness and protections. Also, lengthening your loan term may mean paying more in interest over the life of the loan.) SoFi student loan refinancing offers flexible terms that fit your budget.

FAQ

Is loan repayment considered taxable income?

If your employer offers loan repayment assistance benefits, they would typically be considered taxable income. However under the Cares Act, loan forgiveness payments — and employer assistance loan payments up to $5,250 — made each year from 2021 through 2025 are tax-free.

Will refinancing my student loans help me avoid taxes?

Student loan refinancing simply involves reworking one or more existing student loans into a new private loan with more favorable terms. It’s a repayment strategy that does not incur a tax liability.

Photo credit: iStock/fizkes

SoFi Student Loan Refinance
SoFi Student Loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS #696891. (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). SoFi Student Loan Refinance Loans are private loans and do not have the same repayment options that the federal loan program offers, or may become available, such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Income-Based Repayment, Income-Contingent Repayment, PAYE or SAVE. Additional terms and conditions apply. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal.

SOSL1023013

Now that the pandemic-related pause on federal student loan repayment has ended, you may be wondering if there are any grants or scholarships to help you pay down, further delay, or even forgive some or all of your student loan debt. The answer is yes. While some grants and programs are targeted to borrowers with financial need or who work in a certain field, others are open to anyone. Read on to learn how to find “free money” to help you manage your student loan debt.

Federal Government Grants

There are a number of grant programs that are available from the U.S. Department of Education that can help people pay off their student loans or reduce the amount of debt they owe.

Government grants are funds given out by the federal government or other organizations that do not have to be repaid. Below are some popular grant programs you may be able to tap while you are still in school.

Federal Pell Grant

The Federal Pell Grant is a financial aid program for students who are still enrolled in undergraduate courses at an accredited college or university and who demonstrate need. It does not have to be repaid and can cover up to the full cost of attendance.

Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant

This program provides financial assistance to individuals pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in education. The TEACH Grant offers up to $4,000 per year for students enrolled in eligible educational programs at accredited universities. However, to maintain your TEACH grant, you have to work in a high-need field or at a low-income school for at least four years. If you don’t, the grant turns into a loan you must repay.

Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant

The Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant is designed to help students whose parents or guardians died due to service in Iraq or Afghanistan after September 11, 2001. To qualify, you need to be under 24 and demonstrate financial need based on information submitted in your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). This grant has to be applied for on an annual basis in order to receive the funds.


💡 Quick Tip: Ready to refinance your student loan? With SoFi’s no-fee loans, you could save thousands.

State & Local Grants

Many states offer grants that can help residents pay off their student loans. In some cases, you need to work in a certain field and/or in an underserved area. For example, the New York State Young Farmers Loan Forgiveness Incentive Program provides loan forgiveness awards to individuals who get an undergraduate degree from an approved New York State college or university and agree to operate a farm in the state on a full-time basis for five years.

California’s Department of Health Care Access and Information , on the other hand, offers a range of loan repayment programs for those working in the healthcare field, including doctors, therapists, dentists, and more.

No matter what field you are in, it can pay to research loan repayment opportunities in your state. This tool on the Department of Education’s website can help you find the agency that distributes education grants in your state.

Recommended: Search Grants and Scholarships by State

Private Scholarships to Pay off Student Debt

There are actually numerous private grants and scholarships that can help you pay off your student loans. Aid might be need-based, merit-based, or a combination of both. You can also look for private funding options using a search engine like Fastweb or FinAid. SoFi also offers a Scholarship Search Tool.

To uncover more obscure scholarships, you may want to reach out directly to companies and organizations you have some connection to. This might include:

•   Family members’ employers and associations

•   Community service groups with whom you’ve volunteered

•   Identity/heritage groups listed on Scholarships.com

•   Religious communities you’re involved with

While private scholarships can be small, if you can piece together a few, you may be able to make a significant dent in your student debt.

Recommended: Finding & Applying to Scholarships for Grad School

Student Debt Forgiveness Programs

While the Biden Administration’s broad, one-time loan forgiveness program was struck down by the Supreme Court in June 2023, the President has announced plans to pursue a similar initiative through the federal rulemaking process. In the meantime, here are some other loan forgiveness options you may want to explore.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

If you’re employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, you might be eligible for the government’s Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you’ve made the equivalent of 120 qualifying monthly payments under an accepted repayment plan, while working full-time for an eligible employer.

To see if your employer qualifies and to apply for the PSLF program, you can use the PSFL Tool on the Department of Education’s website.

If you have private student loans, however, you aren’t eligible for the PSLF program

Income-Driven Loan Forgiveness

An income-driven repayment plan sets your monthly federal student loan payment at an amount that is intended to be affordable based on your income and family size. Not only that, it forgives your remaining loan balance after 20 or 25 years of payments. The Department of Education currently offers four income-driven repayment plans:

•   Revised Pay As You Earn Repayment Plan (REPAYE Plan)

•   Pay As You Earn Repayment Plan (PAYE Plan)

•   Income-Based Repayment Plan (IBR Plan)

•   Income-Contingent Repayment Plan (ICR Plan)

The newly announced Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan will eliminate the REPAYE Plan by July 2024. According to the Department of Education, the new SAVE plan can significantly decrease your monthly payment amount compared to all other income-driven repayment plans. If you enroll (or already are enrolled) in the REPAY plan, you will be automatically switched over to SAVE.

If you’d like to repay your federal student loans under an income-driven plan, you need to fill out an application at StudentAid.gov.

Recommended: Student Loan Debt Guide

Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program

The Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program will pay up to $17,500 on your Federal Direct Subsidized or Unsubsidized Loans. To receive this loan benefit, you must be employed as a full-time qualified teacher for five consecutive academic years at a low-income school or educational service agency.

If you are a teacher interested in learning more about the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program, you can go to this federal webpage.

Armed Forces Loan Payment Programs

Many branches of the United States military offer loan payment programs that can help you pay off your federal student loans. Programs include:

•   Air Force JAG Program

•   Army College Loan Repayment

•   Army Reserve Loan Repayment

•   National Guard Loan Repayment

•   Navy Student Loan Repayment

While each military loan repayment program works in a slightly different way, these grants can potentially pay off a significant portion (or even all) of your student loan debt.

Corporate Loan Repayment Grants

Another way you may be able to get student loan repayment help is to simply ask your boss. Many companies now offer help with student loan repayment as a job perk. As more and more employees struggle with debt, employers have started to offer these benefit programs in order to attract and retain top-notch talent.

In some cases, a company will make regular, direct payments to your student loan servicer or lender on your behalf. In others, an employer may offer to contribute to your retirement if you put a certain percentage of your paycheck toward student loans. Wondering if your employer offers the same perks? Check with HR to see if you can take advantage of a company-wide loan repayment benefit program.

Recommended: Is an Employee’s Student Loan Repayment Benefit Taxed As Income?

Student Loan Refinancing

One way to potentially make both your public and your private loans more affordable is to consider student loan refinancing.

With a student loan refinance, you exchange one or more of your old loans for a new one, ideally with a lower rate or better terms. This process can be helpful if you have a solid credit score (or have a cosigner who does), since it might qualify you for a lower interest rate. In addition, you could choose a shorter repayment term to get out of debt faster.

You can refinance both federal and private student loans. Keep in mind, however, that refinancing federal student loans can result in a loss of certain borrower protections, such as income-driven repayment and student loan forgiveness. Because of this, you’ll want to consider the potential downsides of refinancing before making changes to your debt.


💡 Quick Tip: Refinancing could be a great choice for working graduates who have higher-interest graduate PLUS loans, Direct Unsubsidized Loans, and/or private loans.

The Takeaway

While you may think of grants as a way to help finance your education while you are in school, there are grants (as well as scholarships and other programs) available that can also help you repay your student loans. Options include federal and state programs, private/corporate grants, and federal loan forgiveness and repayment plans. Another option that could potentially make student repayment more manageable is refinancing.

Looking to lower your monthly student loan payment? Refinancing may be one way to do it — by extending your loan term, getting a lower interest rate than what you currently have, or both. (Please note that refinancing federal loans makes them ineligible for federal forgiveness and protections. Also, lengthening your loan term may mean paying more in interest over the life of the loan.) SoFi student loan refinancing offers flexible terms that fit your budget.

SoFi Student Loan Refinance
SoFi Student Loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS #696891. (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). SoFi Student Loan Refinance Loans are private loans and do not have the same repayment options that the federal loan program offers, or may become available, such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Income-Based Repayment, Income-Contingent Repayment, PAYE or SAVE. Additional terms and conditions apply. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal.

SOSL1023008

Parent PLUS loan forgiveness provides financial relief to parents who borrowed money to cover the cost of their children’s college or career school. It isn’t always a quick fix, but there are certain federal and private programs that might offer the financial assistance needed to help them get on track.

Keep reading to learn more about what the available student loan forgiveness possibilities are for Parent PLUS loans.

Are Parent Plus Loans Eligible for Student Loan Forgiveness?

Parent PLUS loans are eligible for several of the same student loan forgiveness programs as federal student loans for students, including:

•   Borrower Defense Loan Discharge

•   Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) Discharge

•   Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

That said, Parent PLUS loans generally have fewer repayment options. The Parent PLUS loans do not qualify for the SAVE program or other income-driven plans. And guidelines are strict for the few programs that parent loans are eligible for.

Refinancing is another option for Parent PLUS loan borrowers — applying for a new private student loan with an, ideally, lower interest rate. That said, some lenders offer less flexibility for repayment and the fine print can be lengthy, so there’s an inherent risk associated with refinancing Parent PLUS loans.

It’s worth noting that refinancing a PLUS loan will eliminate it from any federal repayment plans and benefits.


💡 Quick Tip: Some student loan refinance lenders offer no fees, saving borrowers money.

Parent Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Parents who are on the hook for student loan debt can also qualify for student loan forgiveness. A Parent PLUS loan may be eligible for Parent Student Loan Forgiveness through federal programs that include Income-Contingent Repayment and Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Other forgiveness options may also be available through the state.

Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR)

An Income-Contingent Repayment plan, or ICR plan, is the only income-driven repayment plan that’s available for Parent PLUS borrowers. In order to qualify, parent borrowers must first consolidate their loans into a Direct Consolidation Loan, then repay that loan under the ICR plan.

Bear in mind:

•   A Parent PLUS loan that’s included in a Direct Consolidation Loan could be eligible for Income-Contingent Repayment.

•   A Parent PLUS loan that’s included in the Federal Direct Loan Program or the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) is also eligible for ICR if it’s included in the Federal Direct Consolidation Loan.

The ICR plan is a repayment plan for Direct loans. Monthly payments are the lesser of (1) what you would pay on a repayment plan with a fixed monthly payment over 12 years, adjusted based on your income, or (2) 20% of your discretionary income.

Typically, the IRS considers canceled debt a form of taxable income, but the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 made all student loan forgiveness tax-free through 2025 on federal returns. Some states will tax student loan forgiveness amounts; check with your accountant to be sure.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Borrowers with Parent PLUS loans may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. In order to pursue that option, they must first consolidate the Parent PLUS loan into a Direct Consolidation Loan.

Then, after they’ve made 120 qualifying payments (10 years’ worth), borrowers become eligible for the PSLF. The parent borrower (not the student) must be employed full-time in a qualifying public service job. PSLF also has strict requirements such as certifying employment, so it’s important to follow instructions closely if pursuing this option.

Student Loan Forgiveness for Death of Parent

Federal student loans qualify for loan “discharge” when the borrower dies. In the case of Parent PLUS loans, they are also discharged if the student who received the borrowed funds dies.

In order to qualify for federal loan discharge due to death, borrowers must provide a copy of a death certificate to either the U.S. Department of Education or the loan servicer.

Some, but not all, private lenders discharge student loans after the student or loan holder dies.

Recommended: Can Student Loans Be Discharged?

State Parent PLUS Student Loan Forgiveness Programs

Many individual states offer some sort of student loan repayment assistance or student loan forgiveness programs for Parent PLUS loan borrowers.

For an overview of options available in different states, you can take a look at The College Investor’s State-by-State Guide to Student Loan Forgiveness . For information on student loan and aid available take a look at the SoFi guide on state-by-state student aid available for borrowers.

Disability

In the event of the borrower becoming totally and permanently disabled, a Parent PLUS loan may be discharged. To qualify for a Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) discharge , borrowers must complete and submit a TPD discharge application, as well as documentation showing that they meet the requirements for being considered totally and permanently disabled.

Note that in order to qualify for TPD, the parent borrower must be considered disabled. This type of forgiveness does not apply to Parent PLUS loans in the event that the student becomes disabled.

Bankruptcy

If a borrower can demonstrate undue financial hardship upon repaying the student loan, they might be able to discharge their Parent PLUS loan. Note: Having student loans discharged in bankruptcy is uncommon. Proving “undue hardship” varies depending on the court that’s granting it, but most rulings abide by the Brunner test, which requires the debtor to meet all three of these criteria in order to discharge the student loan:

•   Poverty. Maintaining a minimal standard of living for the borrower and their dependents is deemed impossible if they’re forced to repay their student loans.

•   Persistence. The borrower’s current financial situation will likely continue for the majority of the repayment period.

•   Good faith. The borrower has made a “good faith” effort to repay their student loans.

Closed School Discharge

For parent borrowers whose children attended a school that closed while they were enrolled or who withdrew from the school during a “lookback period” of 120 days before its closure, a Closed School Discharge is another available form of student loan forgiveness.

If your child’s school closes on or after July 1, 2023, and you meet the eligibility requirements for a closed school discharge of your loans obtained to attend the closed school, you will generally receive an automatic closed school discharge one year after the date the DOE establishes as the school’s official closure date. This discharge will be initiated by DOE, and you will be notified by your loan servicer.

Although this closed school loan discharge is granted automatically after one year has passed since the school’s closure, you can always apply for and receive a closed school discharge as soon as the school’s official closure date is confirmed by the U.S. Department of Education. If your child 1) attended a school that closed less than one year ago, 2) meet the eligibility requirements for a closed school discharge, and 3) want your loans discharged, contact your loan servicer about applying for a closed school discharge now instead of waiting for one year to receive an automatic closed school discharge.

Borrower Defense

Borrower Defense Loan Discharge is available to Parent PLUS borrowers whose children were misled by their college or university or whose college or university engaged in certain forms of misconduct or violation of state laws.

To make a case for borrower defense, the Parent PLUS borrower must be able to demonstrate that their school violated a state law directly related to their federal student loan.


💡 Quick Tip: Federal parent PLUS loans might be a good candidate for refinancing to a lower rate.

Alternatives to Parent Plus Student Loan Forgiveness

When it comes to Parent PLUS loans, there are a few ways to get out of student loan debt legally, including the scenarios outlined below.

Refinance Parent Plus Loans

Refinancing a Parent PLUS loan is another option that could provide some financial relief. In doing so, you’ll lose the government benefits associated with your federal loans, as briefly mentioned above, such as:

•   Forbearance options or options to defer your student loans

•   Choice of repayment options

•   Student loan forgiveness

Refinancing a Parent PLUS loan into the dependent’s name is another option, which some borrowers opt for once their child has graduated and started working. Not all loan servicers are willing to offer this type of refinancing option, though.

Transfer Parent Plus Student Loan to Student

Transferring Parent PLUS loans to a student can be complicated. There isn’t a federal loan program available that will conduct this exchange, and, as mentioned above, some private lenders won’t offer this option.

Some private lenders, like SoFi, allow dependents to take out a refinanced student loan and use it to pay off the PLUS loan of their parent.

Explore Private Student Loan Options for Parents

Banks, credit unions, state loan agencies and other lenders typically offer private student loans for parents who want to help their children pay for college and refinancing options for parents and students.

Refinancing options will vary by lenders and some may be willing to refinance a Parent PLUS loan into a private refinanced loan in the student’s name. In addition to competitive interest rates and member benefits, SoFi does allow students to take over their parent’s loan during the refinancing process. Interest rates and terms may vary based on individual criteria such as income, credit score, and history.

The Takeaway

Parent PLUS Loan forgiveness offers financial relief to parents who borrowed money to help their child pay for college. To receive federal relief for Parent PLUS loans, parent borrowers can enroll in an Income-Contingent Repayment plan, pursue Public Service Loan Forgiveness, transfer their student loan to another student, take advantage of a state Parent PLUS student loan forgiveness program, or opt for private student loan assistance or refinancing.

Looking to lower your monthly student loan payment? Refinancing may be one way to do it — by extending your loan term, getting a lower interest rate than what you currently have, or both. (Please note that refinancing federal loans makes them ineligible for federal forgiveness and protections. Also, lengthening your loan term may mean paying more in interest over the life of the loan.) SoFi student loan refinancing offers flexible terms that fit your budget.

SoFi Student Loan Refinance
SoFi Student Loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS #696891. (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). SoFi Student Loan Refinance Loans are private loans and do not have the same repayment options that the federal loan program offers, or may become available, such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Income-Based Repayment, Income-Contingent Repayment, PAYE or SAVE. Additional terms and conditions apply. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal.

Photo credit: iStock/DragonImages
SOSL1023010

When students take a gap year, they typically take a semester or year off between high school and college in order to take advantage of experiential learning. While extraordinary opportunities may be awaiting you, you may struggle to think of ways to pay for the experience.

If that’s the case, there are options that may help you pay for your gap year — beyond funding the costs out of pocket. Continue reading for more information on options you may want to consider should you find yourself in need of help funding your non-classroom experience.

Gap Year, Explained

First of all, what is a gap year and why do people take them?

Students may choose to take a semester or year off with the goal of getting a break from academics and prior to diving into postsecondary education. Students may choose to complete an internship, travel, study on their own, volunteer, or pursue other interests. Some students choose to pursue a gap year with the intention of discovering what it is that they want to major in or the career path they’d like to pursue.

Many students report a developed self- and cultural awareness, increased independence, and confidence after taking a gap year.

Students may choose to apply to colleges and universities during their senior year (and let colleges know of their plans to take a gap year), during their gap year or after they’ve completed their gap year. Waiting until later often gives them the advantage of being able to report on what they’ve learned during their time away from academics.

In some instances, a gap year may also be something for a student to do after college or in-between college and post-graduate study.

Planning Out Your Gap Year

It’s important to plan out your gap year ahead of time so you have a plan for how you’ll spend your time. It can be easy to waste time when you break from a traditional schedule. Having a plan ensures that you’ll have a better chance of achieving your goals — you might even curb expenses as well.

It may be helpful to break your plan down into measurable goals. For example, if you plan to travel, write down where you’d like to be on specific dates so you don’t miss any of your intended milestones. It’s also a good idea to budget for your gap year ahead of time so you know how much it will cost and the amount you’ll need per week or month to live on.

Options for Financing Your Gap Year

You can always finance your gap year with cash you or your parents have saved or with money from a well-meaning grandparent. However, not everyone has cash bankrolling their gap year. Let’s take a look at a few ways you may want to consider financing your gap year.

Gap Year Scholarship or Grant

A private entity may offer you a gap year grant or scholarship. A scholarship is free money that you don’t have to pay back that can come from a wide variety of entities, including clubs, organizations, foundations, charities, businesses, the government and individuals. It’s possible to find scholarships specifically for gap years, particularly for students who want to volunteer, improve certain skills, volunteer, develop a talent, or complete another type of experiential learning.

Grants are also a form of financial aid that doesn’t have to be repaid. Grants may also help you fund your gap year without having to repay the money. However, it’s important to check into the fine print on both college grants and scholarships to ensure that you fit the criteria. (Some scholarships and grants require you to get college credit in order to qualify.)

529 Account or College Savings

If you or your parents have college savings set aside in a brokerage account, savings or checking account, or a certificate of deposit (CD), you may want to use this money to pay for gap year expenses.

A 529 plan is an investment account that offers investment opportunities and tax advantages when used to pay for qualified education expenses. You may take withdrawals from a 529 plan to pay for qualified educational expenses for tuition, room, board, fees, books, equipment for classes, and other supplies at an accredited institution. If you meet these requirements, you won’t pay federal income tax.

However, if you spend the money on an expense that doesn’t qualify as a higher education cost (such as your plane ticket to go overseas). Be careful when using your 529 savings unless you’re attending a specific program through an accredited institution.

Find a Paid Internship or Part-Time Job

Obtaining a paid internship or part-time job can help you float some or all of the expenses of a gap year. For example, if you plan to spend your year volunteering at soup kitchens throughout a major city, a part-time job may help you pay for transportation to get there and also other living expenses. On the other hand, if you intend to use your gap year to gain work experience to discover your career goals, a paid internship may help you take care of all of your living expenses.

Recommended: Jobs to Help Pay for School Expenses

Apply for Financial Aid

Financial aid can refer to a wide range of types of money to pay for credits at college or career school.

Some gap year programs offer college credit, so you may be able to apply for federal financial aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). The FAFSA can give you access to grants, federal student loans, and other opportunities.

While you may have never had any intention of taking college credit during a gap year (you may feel that it defeats the purpose of a gap year!) but taking a college-credit class or two as part of your experience or doing a credit-based gap year program may help cover some of your costs.

Personal Loans

Taking out a personal loan involves borrowing money from a bank, online lender, or credit union that you repay in fixed installments. Personal loans are not backed by collateral, which also means they are called unsecured loans. (Secured loans, on the other hand, are backed by collateral, such as a house.) Personal loans often carry higher interest rates than some other types of loans. It may be difficult for someone to get a personal loan without a cosigner if they don’t have a long history of building credit.

It’s a good idea to be careful about taking out a personal loan due to these higher interest rates and having to bring a cosigner on board. That cosigner could end up paying for your loan if you default on the loan and ultimately, it could affect both of your credit scores.

Using Private Student Loans to Finance Gap Year

Private student loans are student loans that come from a bank, credit union, or other private lender. You probably cannot use private student loans to finance your time off from school if you plan to backpack across Europe, but if you do take a few classes as part of a gap year program, you may be able to use private loans to cover your costs. Check with lenders about their requirements before you apply and whether or not a particular program will qualify.

The Takeaway

A gap year can help “gappers” explore career goals, develop confidence, volunteer, and more. If you’re thinking carefully about a gap year, you also might be worried about the cost of taking that time off. Consider putting together a list of costs, goals, and plans so you can make sure that your gap year goes off without a hitch. From there, you can start planning how you’ll cover your expenses during your time away from the classroom.

Finally, don’t forget that you can always put together a combination of sources of funding. For example, you can pay for your gap year with a combination of scholarships, money saved, and internship money.

3 Student Loan Tips

1. Need a private student loan to cover your school bills? Because approval for a private student loan is based on creditworthiness, a cosigner may help a student get loan approval and a lower rate.
2. Even if you don’t think you qualify for financial aid, you should fill out the FAFSA form. Many schools require it for merit-based scholarships, too. You can submit it as early as Oct. 1.
3. It’s a good idea to understand the pros and cons of private student loans and federal student loans before committing to them.

FAQ

How much should I budget for a gap year?

The amount you should budget for a gap year depends on your personal circumstances. It also depends on what you plan to do. Living at home with your parents and volunteering in your community will likely cost less than hopping on a plane and spending a year abroad. No matter what your plan, it’s best to get an estimate of your expenses ahead of time and then use that as a basis for your budget throughout your gap year.

How can I get funding for a gap year?

There are many ways to get funding for a gap year. Depending on your situation and circumstances, you may consider tapping into scholarships, grants, a 529 account, college savings, through a paid internship or part-time job, financial aid, personal loans or private student loans. There’s no single way to fund your gap year, and you may also want to consider a combination of different sources to pay for it.

How long should a gap year be?

A gap year can be any length of time, but they typically last between two weeks and one year.

Photo credit: iStock/Pekic

SoFi Private Student Loans
Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student Loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. You should exhaust all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs. SoFi Private Student Loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, and applicants must meet SoFi’s eligibility and underwriting requirements. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information. To view payment examples, click here. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is subject to change.

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Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

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Going to college or graduate school is a serious investment in your future — both professionally and financially. Naturally, you’ll want to know how much financial aid you’re eligible for, including student loans, grants, and work-study programs.

The amount of federal aid that prospective and current students receive is based on a variety of factors, and everyone’s financial situation is unique. But familiarizing yourself with the following requirements and questions can help paint a clearer picture of how much FAFSA money you will get.

What Are the Eligibility Requirements?

Many incoming and current college and graduate students are eligible for federal aid. Students must satisfy the following criteria to apply:

•   Be a U.S. citizen, national, or eligible noncitizen

•   Have a valid Social Security number, unless you’re from the Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Republic of Palau

•   Have a high school diploma or GED

•   Promise to use awarded federal aid for education purposes only

•   Do not owe refunds on any federal student grants

How Do I Begin the FAFSA?

The first step to completing the FAFSA is creating your FSA user ID and password. From there, you’ll answer a series of questions covering demographic information, schools you are interested in attending, financial details, and information from parents or guardians based on dependency status.

Filling out the FAFSA may feel intimidating, but a little preparation can save you from common FAFSA mistakes, like leaving important fields blank.

What Factors Affect FAFSA Money?

The application includes questions about demographics and finances for students and sometimes their families to answer. Collectively, this information will determine how much need-based and non-need-based aid students qualify for.

Applying for the FAFSA Every Year of School and on Time

Filling out the FAFSA is not a one-time deal. Students must file the FAFSA each year they are enrolled in college or graduate school. Yet approximately 40% of high school seniors do not fill out the FAFSA, and a quarter of college and graduate students do not renew their application after their first year of studies.

There are several important FAFSA deadlines to be aware of. The federal deadline for the 2023-2024 academic year (this includes students beginning school in winter or spring 2024) is June 30, 2024. For the 2024-2025 academic year, students can submit the FAFSA once it opens in December 2023.

State deadlines vary, and many precede the federal deadline by one or several months. Applying early can increase your chance of receiving additional financial aid from your home state in the form of grants or scholarships.

Dependency Status

An applicant’s dependency status is determined by 10 questions found at StudentAid.gov/dependency. Even if your parents claim you as a dependent for tax purposes, you may still qualify as an independent for federal financial aid. You most likely qualify for independent status if you meet any of the following requirements when filling out the FAFSA:

•   At least 24 years old

•   Married

•   A graduate or professional student (law, medicine, etc.)

•   A veteran or active member of the armed forces

•   An orphan, ward of the court, or emancipated minor

•   Claiming legal dependents other than a spouse

•   Homeless or at risk of becoming homeless

Your dependency status affects how much financial aid you’re eligible to receive. In many cases, independent students can be eligible for more financial aid, as they are assumed to be paying their own tuition and living expenses.

Still, dependent students may be eligible for a variety of financial aid opportunities from federal or state governments and colleges through the FAFSA. Most incoming and current undergraduate students are considered dependent. This means that information from parents or guardians, such as tax returns, must be submitted and will affect whether financial aid is awarded and how much.

In special circumstances, students may file for a dependency override. These are awarded case by case, and are typically reserved for students facing exceptional family-related issues or whose parents are unwilling to provide information for the FAFSA.

Expected Family Contribution

Expected Family Contribution, or EFC, primarily applies to dependent students. The EFC calculates eligibility and aid based on several financial and demographic indicators, including:

•   A family’s taxed and untaxed income

•   A family’s assets and benefits (unemployment and Social Security, for example)

•   Family size and number of dependents enrolled in or likely to attend college

This calculation determines need-based and non-need-based aid eligibility and amount, rather than a figure a family is expected to pay toward education. Typically, a lower EFC translates to greater financial aid eligibility as a result of higher need.

Starting with the 2024-2025 school year, the EFC will be replaced by the Student Aid Index, or SAI. It fulfills the same basic purpose but works a little differently. You can learn more about the upcoming Student Aid Index here.

Cost of Attendance

Education costs can vary considerably based on merit-based scholarships, in-state vs. out-of-state residency, and other factors. The amount of FAFSA money you receive will also depend on the cost of attendance for your chosen college or university.

The cost of attendance encompasses tuition, fees, room and board, books and school supplies, and expenses associated with child care or disabilities, if applicable. A lower cost of attendance usually translates to less aid, because the funding can be used only for education purposes.

Not sure where you want to apply? Our College Search tool can help.

How Much Money Will I Get From FAFSA?

The amount of FAFSA money you receive cannot exceed the cost of attendance for your chosen college or university.

Before applying, the Federal Student Aid Estimator is a useful tool to estimate the amount of federal student aid you may qualify for.

Assuming that you meet the eligibility criteria and are applying on time, you may receive some form of federal financial aid, especially if your EFC is less than your cost of attendance. Potential sources of federal student aid include the following programs:

Grants

Unlike loans, grants are free money to put toward your education that does not have to be paid back. After completing the FAFSA, students with proven financial need may receive aid in the form of a Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant or Pell Grant. Opportunity grants are allocated based on need, other aid awarded, and college budgets. Pell Grants change annually but can be as high as $7,395 for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Work-Study

Federal work-study programs typically involve a part-time job on or off campus. Wages are set by the college but must meet minimum-wage requirements. Work-study schedules are intended to be structured around students’ classes.

Federal Loans

Eligibility for federal student loans is generally broader than for grants and work-study programs. Federal loans are either subsidized or unsubsidized, with subsidized loans being need-based and including interest deferment and grace periods. On the other hand, unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest as soon as they are paid out to borrowers.

Different types of federal student loans exist, and each has a maximum award amount according to dependency status and year of study. Dependent undergraduate students have an aggregate loan limit of $31,000. Independent undergraduates can take out $57,500, and graduate students can borrow up to $138,500.

How Else Can I Pay for College?

If financial aid isn’t enough to cover your tuition and other education expenses, there are ways to make college more affordable.

Scholarships and Grants

Besides scholarships granted by your chosen college, there are opportunities offered by private foundations, community groups, and nonprofit organizations. Awards can be given based on academic merit, need, field of study, or participation in a specific sport or activity. Our Scholarship Search tool can help you unearth available awards filtered by school type, field of study, state, and more.

Try to stay on top of scholarship and grant applications and deadlines as they can come and go quickly. Winning a scholarship or a grant is basically finding free money, and you don’t want that money to go unclaimed.

Private Student Loans

Students who cannot pay for college with scholarships and federal aid alone can apply for private student loans from various financial institutions, including banks, credit unions, and online lenders. Interest rates, forbearance, and other terms and conditions can vary, so shop around to compare loan rates and terms.

SoFi’s no-fee private student loans are an option for students to help pay for college and graduate school. Flexible repayment plans can ease the search for a loan that works with a student’s budget and financial plan.

SoFi Private Student Loans
Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student Loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. You should exhaust all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs. SoFi Private Student Loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, and applicants must meet SoFi’s eligibility and underwriting requirements. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information. To view payment examples, click here. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is subject to change.

Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

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