What is a Deferral?

Applicants holding an offer to an Undergraduate Degree program for Fall 2024 may request a one-time, one-year deferral of their start date.

A deferral request must be submitted between July 1 and August 15, 2024.

Due to the competitive nature and limited enrolment of some programs, and the processing time required, we are unable to accept late requests.

Who May Request a One-Year Deferral?

Applicants may complete their request if they have experienced a significant extenuating circumstance since applying to their Undergraduate Degree program, which prevents them from being able to attend studies for the upcoming Fall entry point.

Applicants must provide a rationale as to why they are unable to commence studies due to their circumstances. In some cases, Brock may request documentation to support the applicant’s request.

Are you considering a deferral due to concerns with your personal or academic readiness to begin your studies? Learn more about services and supports available as a Brock student, through our Student Wellness and Accessibility Centre and our Student Life and Success Centre. Starting university is a major life event and we’ll be here to support your success.

The fee to request a deferral is $55. It is non-refundable and making a request does not guarantee approval. Before submitting your request, please ensure you have reviewed, understand, and agree to all guidelines below.

Deferral Guidelines for Fall 2024 Entry

Please review these carefully before submitting a request

• Deferrals are designed for a student who has experienced a significant extenuating circumstance that prevents them from commencing studies as planned.
•  Deferrals are available for Fall (September) Undergraduate degree studies only. Deferrals are not available for Undergraduate certificate studies or non-degree programs.
• Deferred students may not take any additional coursework (secondary or post-secondary) during their deferral year. Should a student wish to study during the deferral period, they must re-apply to Brock, as their academic history will have changed. The deferral fee remains non-refundable.

Before making this request, students must:

1. Be certain of their intention to defer their offer

2. Accept their current offer of admission

3. Meet, or reasonably expect they’ll meet ALL academic requirements stated in their offer letter including submission of all final documents and transcripts. This includes students who attend summer school. A decision will not be made until all conditions are met and Brock has received all final, official grades.

4. Pay their non-refundable tuition deposit, if required, as per your offer letter

5. Deregister from all classes you may have already registered in for your original entry point.

• A deferral decision will include your Brock Entrance Award, where applicable, but will be based on the scholarship range for the following year.
• Deferral approvals are at Brock’s discretion and are not guaranteed.
• To learn how a deferral may impact residence options and your residence deposit, contact res@brocku.ca before submitting this request.

Do not submit the form if you have not met all of the above conditions.

Your request will not be reviewed and a decision on your request will not be made until you have met all conditions. In all cases, the deferral request fee is non-refundable.

Note: International students who require a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)

If you have been provided a PAL for your original entry point, an approved deferral does not guarantee that a PAL will be issued to you for a Fall 2025. The provincial government determines the number of PALs available to Brock University and this number will not be confirmed until early 2025.

Do not use this form if:

• You are a current undergraduate Brock student wishing to take a leave from your studies. Please contact your Academic Advisor  to discuss a leave from your studies.
• You are an incoming or current Teacher Education or Graduate Studies student.
• You have extenuating circumstances and want to request a change of your entry point by one term. In this case, please email  admissions@brocku.ca to determine your eligibility. All programs are not available for all entry points.
• You are a student entering English as a Second Language (ESL) studies at Brock. One-year deferrals are not available.  If you are an ESL student and wish to change your entry point by one term, please email your request to admissions@brocku.ca and include your full name, student number and/or campus ID in your request.

Communicating a Deferral Decision

Check your personal email (and your junk/spam folders) daily for any communication from Brock. All communications regarding your deferral request will be made through the personal email address listed on your application.

If an international student is being represented by an agent, the student themselves must request their deferral. The decision will be communicated to the student’s personal email provided on the application and on the Agent Release of Information form. If you have any questions, please email admissions@brocku.ca

How to submit your request for a one-year deferral of your undergraduate offer

1. On or after July 1st, download and complete the fillable pdf request form below. Save it in the following format: First name Last name Student number (i.e. John Doe 0101010). Please type in the form. Do not handwrite on the form.
2.  Login to your my.brocku.ca student portal
3. Go to Student Forms and Service Request and select “Undergraduate Deferral Request Form.”
4. Pay the fee and upload the form you filled out where prompted. Credit card payments only.
5. Click Submit