Deferred Enrollment/Gap Year
Many students benefit from taking a year between high school and starting their undergraduate college experience. 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 first year and transfer students that take advantage of this opportunity.
If you are interested in deferring your undergraduate enrollment to WPI, you must still pay your non-refundable $500 deposit by the enrollment deadline. The deferment request form must be completed by August 1st for all fall entrants. Important: Due to timing, spring transfer students may not have the option to defer their enrollment. To discuss with a member of the transfer team, please contact transfer@wpi.edu. Please note, this form is for first-year and transfer students pursuing an undergraduate degree at WPI only. Graduate students should connect directly with the WPI Graduate Admissions team at grad@wpi.edu to discuss options.
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 or part-time basis as a degree seeking student at another institution during the deferral period. Students who intend to matriculate full or part-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.
- The student can register as a non-degree seeking or “guest” student for up to 2 courses per semester at another institution during the deferral period.
- 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.
- These terms apply to undergraduate students only.