There are times when a student needs to defer their admission to a future term. The Deferred Admissions Policy provides a process by which students can change their start date. Note: Students can only elect to defer their admissions prior to starting coursework for the term. If a student has started coursework, they would need to take a leave of absence to return for a different term. 

1. Who may defer admissions?

   1. New and returning students who have accepted an admissions offer and who have not attended or participated in coursework for the term. 

2. When may a student defer admissions?

   1. Anytime after accepting their offer of admission/reenrollment through the census date of the term (as long as they have not attended/participated in coursework). 

   2. Note: Students who are admitted to the Summer Term may work with their advisor to change to the Fall Term. The Deferred Admission policy governs the following changes:

      1. Summer to Spring

      2. Summer to Summer

      3. Fall to Spring

      4. Fall to Fall

      5. Spring to Summer

      6. Spring to Fall

      7. Spring to Spring

3. For how long can I defer admissions?

   1. Within three (3) terms of your initial entrance term (e.g., if you accepted an offer to begin in the summer 2025, you may defer admission to the spring 2026, or summer 2026 term. 

   2. Note: Relay reserves the right to discontinue programs. If that were to happen, a student on deferral would have the opportunity to apply to transfer to an active program. 

   3. Note: Admissions GPA exceptions are granted per academic year (Summer, Fall, Spring). If a student is seeking to defer from Summer, Fall, or Spring to the following academic year, the student and their exception would count toward the admissions GPA exceptions for the following academic year and enrollment requirements must be met before a return from deferment could be processed. 

4. Are there restrictions on which term I can defer to based on the program of my enrollment?

   1. No, however not all courses are offered every term and based on your certification/licensure program, some term choices may alter the number of terms required to complete your program of study. A student may view the academic plan for their program via the Academic Plans site. The site provides an overview of the typical sequence of courses a student starting Relay coursework in the summer term might follow. For more details about the courses offered in your particular program, you should reference Relay’s Academic Catalog. If you have questions about the implications of deferring admission, you should contact your advisor at [email protected]. 

5. Are there restrictions on which term I can defer to, or my ability to defer admissions based on my employment status?

   1. Yes, you should discuss deferring admission with your employer, partnering organization, or teacher prep program first before completing the paperwork to ensure that there are no employment implications. It is a student’s responsibility to notify their employer, partnering organization, or teacher prep program. 

6. How does a student defer their admission?

   1. To defer your admission, complete the following steps:

      1. Navigate to the Student Record Update Form.

      2. Select Deferred Admission. 

      3. Select the term to which you want to defer. 

      4. Submit the form. 

7. What happens once I submit a Deferred Admission request?

   1. Your request will be reviewed and you will receive a decision informing you of the outcome of the request, including your new start date (if applicable). 

8. What is the deadline to submit a Deferred Admission request?

   1. The census date for the term in which you were initially admitted. 

   2. For census dates, see here. 

9. How do I register for coursework for the term to which I deferred my admission?

   1. Students will receive instructions to complete the reenrollment/transfer application for the term they have designated to return. 

   2. Students will receive an email once a decision on their reenrollment/transfer application has been released. 

      1. Note: If there have been changes to entrance requirements to your program, you may be prompted to submit new requirements prior to the processing of your return to Relay. 

   3. Once you have signed the form, accepting the terms of your enrollment, Relay will work to register you in coursework for the term.