Deferral Policy
The University of Massachusetts Amherst rarely approves requests to defer admission decisions for students who are unable to attend during the admitted entering term indicated on their offer letter.
We will consider a deferment request for students with documented significant extenuating circumstances such as:
- Being called to active military duty (excluding those who join during/after the application process or compulsory military service for international students)
- Religious obligation
- Serious personal or family illness or death in the immediate family
- Sudden significant change in family or personal income
If you believe you have significant extenuating circumstances log in and complete this form. Please note that you may be asked to submit additional documentation in support of the request, and that payment of the nonrefundable enrollment deposit is required. Not all deferral requests related to the significant extenuating circumstances listed above will be granted.
If you are unable to attend UMass Amherst for the admitted entering term on your offer of admission, but wish to enroll for a future term, you will need to submit a new application and meet all requirements and deadlines for that term.
Students planning to complete a post-graduate year of high school or to enroll full-time at another college or university are not eligible for deferred admission. A deferred student who subsequently matriculates at another institution and/or enrolls in more than 11 credits will lose their deferred admission status at UMass Amherst and must re-apply through the transfer admissions process (not including dual enrollment credits).
During the period of approved deferment students may take up to 11 credits total at a different institution so long as they remain in non-degree status (not including dual enrollment credits). Courses taken at other institutions will be evaluated for transfer credit in accordance with established UMass Amherst policies. For more information:
Students granted a deferral of admission should note that by deferring from their original admit term, they forfeit the right to utilize that term for their major/general education requirements. Instead, they must adhere to the requirements associated with their updated admit term.
Students granted a deferral of admission but unable to attend UMass Amherst for the approved deferral term will need to submit a new application for any desired future term and meet all requirements and deadlines for that term.