It is not as common for students to take a gap year for volunteer or service programs in the United States as it is in other countries.

However, some students choose to do this before starting their university education either domestically or abroad. Additionally, many universities have a culture of clubs and extracurricular activities, including volunteer and service-oriented activities.

AmeriCorps is a program that was created by the federal government that is associated with the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). The goal of AmeriCorps is to encourage citizens to volunteer while working on projects with localized nonprofits and organizations that address poverty, environmental issues, and education. Through these programs, a person receives a small stipend and sometimes housing and if they are volunteering full-time, they must complete 1,700 hours of service within a ten-month period. If they are volunteering part-time, they must complete between 300 and 900 hours of service. Once a person has completed their service, they are eligible for a USD 6,095 for full time or USD 3,042 education award for part-time that they can use towards tuition for college or graduate school, as well as for student loans.