You applied to school, got accepted, and then… life happened. Maybe your work schedule changed, a family situation came up, or you realized you needed more time to prepare financially. Now you're wondering if you should defer your acceptance, or (if you’ve already started a program) if you need to withdraw.

For adult learners balancing work, family, and education, timing is everything. Understanding your options when you can't start a program as planned can save you time, money, and stress down the road.

We spoke with Melissa Kessler to help you navigate this decision. For the past eight years, she has specialized in healthcare academic coaching with EdAssist® by Bright Horizons® and has dedicated much of her career to supporting students pursuing education in the healthcare field.

Here's what adult learners need to know about deferring acceptance, taking breaks during a program, and making continued education work with their schedules.

What is deferring?

Deferring your acceptance means postponing your enrollment in a program you've already been accepted to instead of declining your spot or having to reapply from scratch.

When you defer, you're essentially asking the school to hold your acceptance for a future term. Instead of starting in fall 2025, for example, you might defer to spring 2026 or fall 2026.

This is different from simply not showing up (which could jeopardize your standing) or withdrawing your application entirely (which would require you to go through the full application process again). A formal deferral, when granted, preserves your acceptance status while giving you time to get your circumstances in order.

However, it's important to understand that deferring isn't automatically available for every program, and it doesn't mean everything about your acceptance stays exactly the same—particularly when it comes to financial aid.

Can you defer your acceptance?

The short answer: Whether you can defer your acceptance depends entirely on the school and program.

We’re going to talk about standard policies that many schools adopt, but always remember that individual schools and even programs within those schools may have their own policies. Getting clarity from your department is essential.

Standard deferral policies

One year is the standard deferral period at many institutions, but policies vary significantly depending on where you are in your education and what you're studying. Some programs are more flexible than others.

For highly competitive programs, deferral may not be an option at all. If you're accepted into a community college ADN nursing program, for example, you may need to either take your spot or reapply entirely. The same can be true for particularly competitive MBA programs, where admissions offices want to evaluate you alongside the next applicant pool.

That said, even prestigious universities that might allow gap years for traditional students may have different policies for graduate or professional programs. So there’s not really a one-size-fits-all rule here, and it’s important to consult with your advisor or the admissions department to learn about your options.

The funding caveat

Even if a school allows you to defer, there's an important catch: They typically won't hold your financial aid package.

You'll need to complete a new FAFSA and reapply for any school-specific scholarships. There's no guarantee you'll receive the same funding package you were originally offered, especially if scholarships were included.

Bottom line: Talk directly with the admissions office about your specific situation. Ask about their deferral policy, any conditions attached, and what happens to your financial aid if you defer.

You can also talk to EdAssist’s financial coaches, who can help you navigate your financial aid and student loan options based on what the admissions office says.

What if you need to slow down after starting?

Sometimes you may not need to pause entirely, you may just need to slow down.

Many adult learners start a program with the best intentions, only to realize the pace isn't sustainable. Maybe you underestimated the workload, or unexpected responsibilities came up at work or home. Fortunately, you often have options.

Understanding program completion timelines

You may be able to reduce your workload. If you wanted to power through an MBA degree while working full-time by taking two classes a semester, for example, you may find that it’s just not sustainable… but taking a single course per semester with summer months off is entirely doable.

When making your pacing decisions, remember that most degree programs have a maximum completion timeframe. Master's programs might give you five to seven years to finish, while doctoral programs may allow up to seven years or more. It's crucial to understand these limits before you slow down.

Melissa emphasizes that you should ask your school about these timelines upfront. If you take too long, you might be subject to new degree requirements. Curriculum changes could mean additional required classes, or worse, having to retake courses you've already completed.

The clinical program challenge

If you're in a clinical or healthcare program, your flexibility may be limited.

While general education and prerequisite courses can often be completed at your own pace, the clinical portion is typically much more structured. Once students enter the clinical phase, courses are usually required to be taken in a specific sequence, due to the hands-on nature and skill-building involved.

Melissa recently spoke with a student pursuing an associate degree in radiologic technology who had previously earned a bachelor’s degree in another field. With just one remaining science course to complete, the student was ready to begin the clinical portion of the program. Because they had already fulfilled all general education and supporting coursework, they could now focus solely on the radiology curriculum.

Although the clinical courses must be taken in order, the student had the option to complete them part-time—an important consideration for adult learners balancing education with work and family responsibilities.

If you take a term off in these programs, you need to consider whether the next required course will be offered the following term, or if you'll need to wait an entire year. Sometimes you can only slow these programs down so much before the delays become impractical.

More flexibility in non-clinical programs

Business degrees, liberal arts, technology programs, and other non-clinical fields tend to be more adult-friendly.

Many of these programs offer mini-session formats where you can take one class during the first seven weeks of a semester and another during the second seven weeks, rather than juggling multiple courses simultaneously over a full 15-week term. This structure makes it easier to take breaks when you need them.

Even MBA programs often have this flexibility, though Melissa recommends asking ahead of time about course availability. Some required courses may only be offered once a year, which could impact your timeline.

Switching from full-time to part-time enrollment

Moving from full-time to part-time enrollment is usually straightforward, but there are important financial considerations.

Financial aid implications

If you receive financial aid beyond student loans, switching to part-time could affect your funding. Some scholarships are only available for full-time students. Pell Grants may offer $2,000 for full-time enrollment but less for part-time, for example, though it’s worth noting that your tuition costs would also be reduced.

For federal student loans, you must be enrolled at least half-time, which is typically six credit hours per semester. If your school uses a mini-session format, you could likely take two classes during the first seven weeks and none during the second seven weeks while still maintaining half-time status for loan eligibility.

Timing matters

Your position in the program also matters. If you're only two classes into a program with eight more to complete, taking a term off or switching to part-time is usually fine.

But if you're near the end of your degree, be sure to work with your academic advisor to lay out a plan for program completion. You don’t want to run the risk of missing a course only offered once a year.

Taking a complete break: leave of absence policies

Sometimes adult learners need to take a complete break from their studies. Whether it's due to family obligations, work demands, or personal circumstances, it's important to handle this the right way.

Formal leave of absence

A formal leave of absence typically involves making your intentions known to the school rather than simply disappearing. This process helps preserve your spot in the program and keeps you in contact with your advisor.

Schools will usually reach out as your leave of absence period ends to understand your intentions. They'll let you know whether you need to return or go through the reapplication process.

The one-year rule

Many schools have specific policies about extended absences. Melissa's last university required a rematriculation process if a student was out for more than 12 months and one day.

This can be particularly challenging if you've taken a leave from a highly competitive program. One solution? Take at least one class within that 12-month period to maintain active student status.

Traditional semester considerations

Don’t feel like you need to take a class every single semester if that’s not realistic for you. For some people, this creates logistical challenges and may cause burnout, while for others it’s more sustainable and helps them complete their programs faster.

Traditional academic calendars typically include fall and spring semesters, with summers off. If you're a parent who doesn't want to take classes during summer when your kids are home, that's completely fine. Just maintain enrollment during fall and spring.

Consider your profession's specific requirements

Some professions have specific timing considerations that may influence your decision to defer or take breaks.

Melissa notes that CPAs working toward their required 150 credit hours often may struggle to attend school between January and May due to tax season demands. They might start a program in June instead.

Teachers pursuing master's degrees often structure their schedules to go part-time during fall and spring semesters, then full-time during the summer when they're not teaching.

Many programs are friendly to adult learners and can give you the flexibility you need to complete your continued education on your schedule.

Do you really need to stop, or just slow down?

Before you decide to take a formal leave of absence, ask yourself: Do you really need to pause your education entirely, or do you just need to change your pace?

Melissa recently worked with someone taking two classes in six weeks while working full-time with kids at home. The solution wasn't to stop entirely, but to reduce the course load to something more manageable.

Strategic course planning

If you're finding school overwhelming, consider your tuition benefits.

Let's say your employer offers $5,250 annually, which covers five of your classes per year. If the school offers six classes per year, you could strategically choose which term to sit out based on your busiest seasons or when your kids are home from school. This can help you get the most out of your education benefit while still getting the break you need.

You also don't have to start fast. If you haven't been in school for ten years, Melissa strongly encourages taking just one class at a time initially, or two classes spread over a 15-week semester. Once you understand the workload, you can always add more classes later.

Smart class pairing

Be strategic about which classes you take together. Don't schedule two challenging courses simultaneously. If you struggle with math, don't take college algebra and statistics in the same term.

For healthcare students, Melissa emphasizes the importance of performing well in science courses. Schools often assess your overall GPA but look particularly closely at your science GPA separately. Some nursing programs want a B+ or better in science courses, as these grades factor heavily into admissions rankings.

Making the right decision for your situation

Every adult learner's situation is unique. What works for someone else may not work for you.

Before making any decisions about deferring, taking a leave of absence, or changing your enrollment status, consider these questions:

• What are my school's specific policies around deferrals, leaves of absence, and completion timelines?
• How will changes to my enrollment affect my financial aid, scholarships, and employer tuition assistance?
• Am I in a program with strict sequencing requirements, or do I have more flexibility?
• Do I need to stop entirely, or can I just adjust my pace?
• What are the implications for program completion and career goals if I delay?

Remember that the path through continued education rarely looks exactly as planned when you first apply. Understanding your options for deferring, slowing down, or taking breaks when needed can help you successfully complete your degree without sacrificing your career or family commitments.

If you’re unsure of which path is best, you can speak to your academic advisor. You can also speak to an EdAssist academic coach if offered by your employer, as our coaches have decades of combined experience in helping adult learners navigate their educational journeys. They can discuss options around pacing, deferrals, and more.