Applying to SAIS | Deferral Requests
DEFERRAL REQUEST PROCEDURE
Admitted students may request a one-semester or one-year deferral. Deferral requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and may be granted for a unique employment opportunity, special fellowship program, approved dual degree program, or family or medical emergency. The granting of deferrals beyond one year is extremely rare. Prospective students are strongly encouraged to apply for the semester that they expect to attend.
Note: Applicants who are admitted from the waiting list cannot defer admission under any circumstances.
Deferral requests must be submitted in writing to the Director of Admissions at SAIS, and should be made before May 1 for fall enrollment and December 1 for spring enrollment (MIPP only). Because students sometimes face unanticipated changes in their circumstances, deferral requests will be accepted on a case-by-case basis. If a deferral is granted, students will be expected to pay their $500 non-refundable matriculation fee and submit a $3,000 non-refundable deferral deposit (for a total of $3,500) within 30 days of approval. The deferral deposit will be applied to your tuition upon enrollment. Admitted students whose future plans remain uncertain, or those with insufficient funds, are advised to decline the offer of admission and reapply at a later date when circumstances may be more certain or stable.
If your request for deferral is denied and you would still like to enroll in the semester for which you were admitted, you must accept your offer of admission no later than your original response deadline.
FINANCIAL AID FOR DEFERRED STUDENTS
Financial aid awards are reconsidered for the semester in which the applicant will be enrolling. While previous financial aid decisions are not guaranteed, we do attempt to award the same amount of aid for deferred students. Awards rarely increase.