Getting financial aid after a gap year

Does taking a gap year affect eligibility for financial aid when you start college the following year? I'm thinking about taking a year off between high school and college, but don't want to mess up my financial aid situation.

Financial aid packages are typically determined based on your family's financial situation in the year leading up to when you start college, so taking a gap year would not inherently affect your eligibility for aid. However, you will need to reapply for financial aid (both institutional aid from the college and federal aid via FAFSA) for the year you plan to attend.

For instance, if you are taking a gap year during the 2025-2026 school year, you would not fill out FAFSA during your senior year of high school as most students do. Instead, you'd submit your FAFSA for the 2026-2027 school year in October 2026, using your family's 2025 tax information.

Do remember that financial aid is largely based on your family's income and assets, so if there is a considerable change in your family's financial situation during your gap year (e.g. increase in income or significant inheritance), it could potentially affect your eligibility for need-based financial aid.

Lastly, if you were admitted to a college and decided to defer for a gap year, you should always confirm with the school's financial aid office how your gap year might impact any institutional aid/scholarships offered. The policies can vary by institution - in some cases, the aid package may be re-evaluated after the gap year, in others, the same package is guaranteed provided your family's financial circumstances remain relatively stable.

So, a gap year can be a fruitful experience, and with careful planning and communication with the financial aid offices, it doesn't have to jeopardize your financial aid status.