The deferral request form will close at 4 p.m. on August 30, 2024.
If you wish to start at Waterloo at a later time, you can request to defer your Offer of Admission.
How do I request a deferral?
1. Accept your Offer of Admission
First, you must accept your Offer of Admission from Waterloo on the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website by the deadline stated on the offer.
2. Complete any conditions
Next, you must meet all conditions outlined on your Offer of Admission by the deadline specified on that offer.
3. Complete the deferral request form
Starting July 1, 2024, you can request a deferral. On the form, you'll be asked to explain your reasons for requesting the deferral and to summarize your plans for the deferral period.
Notes
- Deferrals will be approved as quickly as possible as long as all grades have been received and conditions on your Offer of Admission have been met.
- The maximum deferral period is one calendar year (three academic terms).
- Students with military service requirements may be eligible for a two-year deferral, pending documented proof of service. Please email myapplication@uwaterloo.ca for more information.
- If your deferral is approved, you can not pursue college or university studies during the deferral period. However, you may take high school courses for personal interest.
4. Next steps
If your deferral is approved, we'll follow up with lots of detailed information. Some highlights about scholarships, residence, and co-op are listed below.
Deferral options
Defer to September 2025
You can request a deferral from fall 2024 to the fall 2025 (September) term for any program.
Defer to January 2025
For a limited number of programs, you can request to start in January 2025. These programs are listed on the deferral form. If your program is not listed, deferrals are not possible because of the order in which specific courses needed to be completed.
When will I find out about my deferral?
Each request will be considered on an individual basis. Decisions on deferral requests will normally be made in July and August after all conditions outlined on an offer of admission have been met.
What happens when I want to start studying?
You will not be required to reapply through the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC).
Deferrals to fall 2025
We’ll provide you with a new offer of admission letter on your Quest account by the beginning of December 2024.
Deferrals to January 2025
You'll receive a new offer of admission letter on Quest by mid-September. You’ll need to follow the instructions in the deferral approval email we'll send you and accept your offer in Quest by October 1, 2024.
Ensure we can contact you
Please make sure the email address listed in your Waterloo Quest account is one you'll be checking. This is the address we'll use to contact you about your new Offer of Admission.
Scholarships and bursaries
President’s Scholarship or Merit Scholarship
If you received a President’s Scholarship or Merit Scholarship for fall 2024, the scholarship will be available for you in September 2025 or January 2025 if you deferred to the winter term.
Entrance bursaries for Ontario students
If you received an entrance bursary for September 2024, you'll need to reapply when the application opens in February 2025. Consideration for other entrance scholarships and financial aid will be on an individual basis as some awards are not eligible for deferral.
Staff in our Student Awards and Financial Aid office (safainfo@uwaterloo.ca) can provide details for your specific situation.
Government financial aid
If your OSAP or government financial aid from your home province has been sent to the University of Waterloo, some or all of that aid may need to be repaid to the National Student Loan Service Centre (NSLSC) since you won't be attending university yet.
Staff in our Student Awards and Financial Aid office (safainfo@uwaterloo.ca) can assist you with this process.
Residence
If you were admitted to a first-year program starting in September 2024, you'll still be guaranteed a place in residence for fall 2025!
If you are requesting a deferral to January 2025, you'll be able to confirm your spot in residence starting September 24. You can visit uwaterloo.ca/campus-housing/apply after that date to apply.
Co-op and regular
If you were admitted to a co-op program for September 2024, your new Offer of Admission will also be for co-op. The same applies for the regular system of study.
Questions about deferrals?
Contact our admissions team at myapplication@uwaterloo.ca
