New students seek ‘gap year’ programs

There’s an association for just about everything – even for students interested in taking a year off before, during or after their undergraduate experience. The Gap Year Association says 40,000 deferrals are requested in the United States each year. But in 2020, that number will bump up to 70,000. The Greenville News reported on the story, and spoke to officials at Clemson and Furman University. Furman’s Brad Pochard, associate vice president for enrollment and dean of admissions and financial aid, said the university is openly working with gap year students to guarantee admission, scholarships and aid packages.