ABOUT DEFERRED ENROLLMENT
Congratulations on your acceptance and your decision to attend Wheaton in the future! Because you have
decided to defer your enrollment, we are enclosing answers to questions students often ask. We hope these
answers will provide helpful context and some next steps.
What is a deferral?
By deferring your enrollment to Wheaton, you are choosing to pause your academic career and
delay joining our community for one or two semesters following your acceptance. Deferring your
enrollment secures your spot for the semester you choose and does not require you to reapply.
Why do students choose to defer?
Gap year (like our Vanguard Program), employment, extenuating circumstances
I plan to take some college level classes, am I a transfer?
During the deferral period, a student is permitted to enroll in one college course (4 credit hours)
per semester. If you are enrolled in more than this amount, you must reapply as a transfer
student instead of deferring. If you have questions regarding the credits you plan to earn during
the deferral period, reach out to your admissions counselor for next steps.
What happens to my scholarships and financial aid?
Deferring secures your acceptance. However, your scholarship and financial aid package will be
reevaluated and therefore subject to change. For merit aid, the admissions office will evaluate
your academic profile in alignment to the most recent scholarship awarding criteria. Need based
aid will be awarded according to your updated FAFSA information.
How do I defer my enrollment?
Elect to defer your enrollment on choose.wheaton.edu. Select “I am requesting to defer my
enrollment” and complete the form. This will include making a $300 deposit that secures your
spot for the semester you choose.
What do I need to do during my deferral year to enroll the following year?
Stay in touch with us! You will automatically receive new acceptance materials with instructions
on next steps. You will periodically receive communication from your admissions counselor.
Please send us a final high school transcript if you have not already done so.
When do I need to contact Wheaton to move towards enrollment?
After you receive your renewed Admissions material, log back onto choose.wheaton.edu to
resubmit your confirmation form. Do not re-pay your $300 deposit.
What if I am unable to receive communication due to the nature of my deferral?
Notify the deferral counselor and we will determine a stand-in point of contact
Do I have a specific contact person?
Yes! Once you officially defer your enrollment, you will receive communication from our deferral
admissions counselor.
What if I decide I no longer want to enroll after my deferral?
Let us know about your decision at choose.wheaton.edu. You will forfeit your original $300
deposit.
What if I am unsure if I want to defer my enrollment or if I have more questions?
Contact your current admissions counselor. We’re happy to help!
