We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free.
So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Here is a list of our partners.
Verto Education Review: Gap Year Program
Verto Education allows you to have a gap year experience and still graduate college in four years.
Des Toups Lead Assigning Editor | Student loans, repaying college debt, paying for college
Des Toups was a lead assigning editor who supported the student loans and auto loans teams. He had decades of experience in personal finance journalism, exploring everything from car insurance to bankruptcy to couponing to side hustles.
Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.
You’re following Kat Tretina Visit your My NerdWallet Settings page to see all the writers you're following.
The bottom line: Verto Education is a gap year program provider that partners with colleges to enable students to take a gap year and still graduate on their original four-year timeline. It is best for students who want to attend either the University of New Haven or one of Verto's partner colleges and earn college credit.
Pros & Cons
PROS
Ability to graduate within original four-year timeline.
Grant and scholarship opportunities available.
Payment plans available.
CONS
Not eligible for federal aid.
Partner schools are not in every state.
Program cost doesn’t include plane tickets, books and other expenditures.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
4.5
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
5.0
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
5.0
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
5.0
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
4.0
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
4.5
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
5.0
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
4.0
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
5.0
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
4.0
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
5.0
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
4.5
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
4.0
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
5.0
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
5.0
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
5.0
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
4.5
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
5.0
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
4.5
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
Verto Education was created in 2018 and blends the education aspects of study abroad with the self-discovery aspects of a gap year. It bills itself as a “gap year without the gap” and allows students to travel for a semester or two without losing time toward college graduation.
After being accepted into Verto's program, you have to fill out a separate application for its partner schools.
You select up to five colleges you’re interested in and submit your high school GPA and transcripts as part of the process. Some partner colleges might have additional requirements, like essays or letters of recommendation. Verto and many of its partner schools don’t require standardized tests, but some colleges require them.
Verto Education provides college credits through the University of New Haven. All Verto participants are enrolled in the University of New Haven's associate of arts degree general studies program. You can take 12 to 17 college credit hours per semester for up to two semesters, for a total of 34 credit hours.
When you finish the Verto Education program, you have three options:
Complete your degree with the University of New Haven: You can enroll at University of New Haven's main campus to earn an associate degree or pursue a bachelor's degree.
Transfer to a partner college: Transfer your credits that you earned abroad to one of Verto's partner schools. Verto Education partners with over 70 four-year schools across 20 states, Washington, D.C., and four countries. Students can also continue their education through alternative pathways, such as coding bootcamps or apprenticeship programs.
Transfer to a non-partner college: If you want to transfer to a non-partner college, Verto Education may work with that college to determine which credits will transfer and how those credits will apply.
Where you study within your selected country varies by program; the host institution can be a local university or a third-party study center. The classes feature small classes sizes and are taught by New Haven faculty members that live and work in the host country.
Classes cover the fundamentals in a variety of subjects, including foreign languages, art history, psychology and chemistry.
You might experience a mix of destination excursions, cultural fieldwork, classroom education and local language training while living in hotels, guesthouses and family homestays during your gap year. You will travel via local transit, van, bus and airplane depending on the program you pick.
Verto Education details
Cost before aid*
Argentina (Buenos Aires): Starting at $19,500 per semester.
Czech Republic (Prague): Starting at $19,500 per semester.
England (London): Starting at $29,000 per semester.
Italy (Florence): Starting at $23,000 per semester.
Spain: (Seville) Starting at $19,500 per semester.
*Some expenses are not included, such as for travel, snacks, souvenirs, medical insurance and treatment, laundry, visa fees, books and course material.
Financial aid
Verto Education is not eligible for federal aid, so you cannot use federal grants or student loans to pay for the program.
However, Verto recommends that students fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) because other financial aid programs, including Verto's Opportunity Grant, require it. When you submit the FAFSA, you must list Verto's academic provider, the University of New Haven, as a selected college.
Verto Opportunity Grant: Up to $14,000.
Verto Scholars Award: Up to $10,000.
Verto offers two discount programs:
Accelerated application discount: Finish the entire Verto application process — meaning you submit your transcripts, essay and complete the family admission call within three weeks — and you'll qualify for a $500 tuition discount.
Early enrollment discount: Secure your spot for the fall semester with a completed application and deposit by January 16, 2024, and Verto will reduce your tuition by $1,000.
Verto operates a payment plan that allows you to break your payments into five monthly installments.
You must be 17 - 22 years old to apply to Verto Education. You must also qualify to take classes through the University of New Haven.
To qualify, you need a GPA of 2.5 or better, but those with GPAs of 2.0 or higher are encouraged to apply. Applicants will also have to submit transcripts, a 500-word writing sample, and undergo a phone interview and virtual meeting.
Although Verto Education doesn't require standardized test scores, some of its partner colleges do, so you should have the scores available.
According to Verto, the entire process takes one to two weeks to complete. Once you're accepted, you must submit a $500 deposit to hold your spot.
Partner schools
Verto Education partners with 70 colleges and universities, including schools in other countries.
Check out the full list on Verto's website.
