Deferrals

An enrollment deferral, also known as a gap year, allows an admitted student to postpone their enrollment up to one year later than they originally applied.

Any scholarships awarded by the Office of Admissions will also be deferred to the updated term as long as funding remains available.

Deferrals are only available for admitted first-year students who have paid the non-refundable $300 enrollment confirmation fee. Western will evaluate deferral requests on a case-by-case basis.

Should circumstances change, and the student wishes to begin sooner, they may contact the Office of Admissions to determine space availability. Until a deferral request has been granted, it is the student’s responsibility to complete all admission and enrollment procedures for their initial application.

Students who expect their residency status to change during their deferral are encouraged to review the residency for tuition purposes information on the Registrar’s Office website and to contact the Registrar’s Office with any questions about the requirements for resident status. Residency changes may result in a student losing scholarships associated with their residency status.

Transfer and post-baccalaureate students may request to defer their admission one time, for one quarter, on a case-by-case basis (deferring a fall quarter admission to winter quarter, e.g.).

Students requesting deferral must submit a written request and explanation to admissions@wwu.edu. You should include any grades earned since you submitted your application for admission as well as a list of courses you plan to take during the deferral period with your written explanation. 

Submission of a deferral request does not automatically grant you a deferral, as all requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.