COVID-19 Resources & Updates Read More
Accepted Students

Many students benefit from taking a year between high school and starting college. Some students plan to participate in a formalized gap year program, while others choose to work or travel. Every year, we have a number of admitted students that take advantage of this opportunity.

If you are interested in deferring your enrollment to WPI, please  pay your non-refundable $500 deposit ​by the enrollment deadline. The deferment request form can be completed at any point prior to the start of New Student Orientation.

Students will retain their merit scholarship, but will need to reapply for need-based financial aid by February 1. Please note students are not permitted to enroll at another university if deferring.

Terms for Deferrals:

  • The student may not submit deposits or hold spaces at any other institutions.
  • The student may not enroll on a full-time basis at another institution during the deferral period. Students who intend to matriculate full-time at another institution but desire to eventually enroll at WPI must apply for transfer admission for a future term. Current merit awards are not applicable to transfer admissions.
  • Financial aid: If you are interested in need-based financial aid, you will need to reapply for aid for the new term by completing the FAFSA and CSS PROFILE by February 1 during your deferral year.
  • Merit scholarships: If you received an academic merit scholarship, your award will also be deferred to the future entry term. If you did not receive a merit scholarship, you will not be reconsidered for awards in the next term alongside the new applicant pool.