Can I defer my admission to a later term?

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

Visit the SFU website to review information about admission deferrals including important deadlines and how to request an admission deferral.  You may request to defer your offer of admission for up to one full year and to any term within that year. 

Requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and deferrals are not guaranteed. If you miss the deferral deadline due to extenuating circumstances, you may still submit a request. Final decisions are made at the discretion of the SFU Admissions office.  

If you have questions about deferring your start date, please contact the go-to person who emailed you following your application, get help, or submit an inquiry by visiting our Future Students community.  

GRADUATE STUDENTS

You can make the deferral request directly to your academic program.  

Additional Considerations 

• Be mindful of the important dates and deadlines for the term, including deadlines for course add/drop and tuition refunds.
• Scholarships and Awards: Contact SFU Financial Aid and Awards at fiassist@sfu.ca to learn how a deferral may affect any scholarships, awards and bursaries you have received.
• SFU Housing: If you’ve applied for residence and your deferral is approved, reach out to the SFU Residence and Housing Office at housing@sfu.ca to discuss your options.

After Deferral is Approved

If approved, your SFU Letter of Acceptance/LOA (also referred to as 'offer letter' or 'admission offer') will be updated to reflect the new start term. If your study permit application is still in process, you must submit the new SFU LOA through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada's (IRCC) webform to notify IRCC that you have deferred your admission to a later term.

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