Delay admission/change term | Next steps | Michigan State University

How do I request a delay of my admission?

Delayed admission allows a newly admitted, non-canceled first-year applicant to delay the start of attendance at Michigan State University. A delay will defer a student's admission for two semesters (summer semester is not included in this count). Please note that certain majors and/or direct admit programs may not be eligible for delayed admission. Also, at this time housing is not guaranteed for spring semester.

Students who have canceled their application are not eligible for a delay of admission and must reapply for a future term.

Students can request a delay of admission for the following reasons:

military service
unique travel or work opportunity
cultural enrichment opportunity
illness
caregiving
international visa processing delays
other (please let us know your specific circumstances)

Students cannot take a delay of admission to enroll in another college or university or to establish Michigan residency. College course work is not allowed during a delay of admission. Taking college course work invalidates the delay of admission and the student would need to reapply for admission as a transfer student.

To request a delay of admission

accept your offer of admission and pay the $250 acceptance fee (previously known as the Advanced Enrollment Deposit) by May 1 (if this deadline is missed, you will need to submit a new application). Log in to accept your admission;
request a delay of admission in your student account by Sept. 1 (a canceled application is not eligible for a delay of admission);
submit your official, final high school transcripts by June 30 (students who attend schools outside of the U.S. may provide final transcripts after this time, but need to do so as soon as they are available).

Scholarships and financial aid

Merit-based scholarships will not carry forward for students who delay enrollment, but students will be considered for awards for the new term of entry. Scholarship awarding criteria and dollar amounts are subject to change.

Students who have received a collegiate or departmental scholarship need to contact that office directly for clarification on whether the award will carry over.

Need-based financial aid will not carry forward. Students will need to supply a new FAFSA, if applicable, and will be reevaluated for need-based awards for the new term of entry. For more information, please contact the Office of Financial Aid.

Honors College

First-year applicants may retain their Honors College invitation and scholarships for up to two semesters if they do not take classes at a post-secondary institution prior to their desired term of enrollment.

Direct admission

Students who have been awarded direct admission to an academic program must contact the academic department for clarification on whether they are eligible for delayed admission.

How do I request a change of entry term?

Transfer applicants may request a semester change for one or two semesters, but the student will be reviewed again with the applicant pool for that semester and admission is not guaranteed. The student will not need to pay another application fee but may be required to supply additional information such as updated transcripts.

To request a change of entry term,

request a term change in your student account by Sept. 1 for fall semester or by Dec. 1 for spring semester;
submit updated transcripts and/or classes in progress for any course work completed before your new term of entry.

Scholarships and financial aid

Transfer scholarships will not carry forward to future semesters, but students will be considered for awards for the new term of entry. Scholarship awarding criteria and dollar amounts are subject to change.

Need-based financial aid will not carry forward. Students will need to supply a new FAFSA, if applicable, and will be reevaluated for need-based awards for the new term of entry. For more information, please contact the Office of Financial Aid.