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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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Colleges Encourage 'Gap Year' With Cash

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(Newser) – Colleges around the country are making it easier for high school graduates to delay college and instead put in a year or more of public service, the Christian Science Monitor reports. More than 80 schools have partnered with AmeriCorps to give students tuition credits in exchange for such service. Others, such as Princeton and Dickinson, have their own versions, figuring the payoff will be more well-rounded students.

"We're seeing an upsurge nationally in the number of students looking for alternatives immediately following high school graduation,” says an administrator at Dickinson College, which offers a $10,000 tuition credit for every year of public service.

A high school graduation ceremony.
A high school graduation ceremony.   (AP Photo)
AmeriCorps volunteers.
AmeriCorps volunteers.   (AP Photo)
AmeriCorps volunteers sent to assist with emergency efforts due to flooding in Poplar Bluff, Mo.
AmeriCorps volunteers sent to assist with emergency efforts due to flooding in Poplar Bluff, Mo.   (AP Photo)
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What I'll learn in India is far beyond anything I could learn in a classroom. This program is amazing because it sends us the message that we actually can make a difference, and gets us excited about service work early on. - Future Princeton student Shaina Watrous

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5 comments
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DeniseVB
Jul 7, 09 7:16 PM CDT
Had this been in effect for my son, his college loans would have been 70k instead of 80k ? Reply
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BOMBS_OVER_BAGHDAD
Jul 7, 09 11:49 PM CDT
Or he could have joined the military for 4 years and got it for almost zilch.
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Kookey90
Jul 8, 09 2:28 AM CDT
Nothing like serving your country for a couple to a few years to show your appreciation for our freedom and just about get a free college education out of it. By the way, if you check the Veterans' Administration (VA) website you'll note that they've recently increased some of their educational benefits. This may not be for everyone, but it's not a bad way to go. Reply
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Reader2898
Jul 8, 09 8:21 AM CDT
Great idea. Wish it had been around when I was in school. Reply
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Unaffiliated
Jul 8, 09 8:40 AM CDT
These type of policies have been around in Europe for decades. I'm glad to see them beginning to be practiced here, and without the government getting involved to start things. Reply
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