All DGYP applicants may request from $5,000 to $15,000 in funding. Those with financial need may be eligible for up to $25,000, with exact totals depending on level of financial need. Funding is limited, but we hope to make gap years more accessible to those who, due to financial circumstances, may not have been able to consider this opportunity previously. In considering DGYP applications, we want to be flexible in allowing students to explore their interests in creative and personalized ways, while encouraging students to include civic engagement and service as a meaningful component of their gap year plans.
While you may include the following activities as part of your proposed gap year plans, funding from Duke may not contribute toward:
- Mandatory military or religious service
- Paid work
- Personal business initiatives or start-ups
- Medical deferrals
DGYP applicants who do not request or receive funding may still be admitted to and participate in the DGYP, depending on the nature of their proposed gap year activities. Students who are not interested in the DGYP or are not admitted to the DGYP may nonetheless request an independent gap year through their student portal.
Members of the cohort receiving funding may be asked to provide receipts from their programs, travel, and activities confirming their expenses.
Funding for domestic students will be disbursed by ACH electronic fund transfer to the student’s bank account or by paper check in the event that the student’s bank is unable to accept ACH transfers. Funding over $7500 will be split into two equal payments, the first in July and the second in January. Funding totaling $7500 or less will be made in a single payment in July. These payments are considered reportable income for tax purposes.
Funding for international students will be disbursed by wire transfer to the student’s bank account. Funding over $7500 will be split into two equal payments, the first in July and the second in January. Funding totaling $7500 or less will be made in a single payment in July. International student funding is subject to tax withholding which will be automatically deducted from the payments.
