Deferral Checklist

BEFORE YOUR DEFERRAL

❏ Schedule a Meeting with your Enrollment Specialist (ES) to go over the Deferral: A Deferral is defined as delaying your official program start date with an intent to begin the program within 1 calendar year.  During this meeting, you’ll go over your updated program trajectory, your communication plan with your ES and any implications that your deferment will have for the remainder of your degree. 

❏ If you would like to begin the program after 1 calendar year from your initial admission, you will be required to reapply to the program.

❏ Pay your deposit: Your ES will provide you with instructions on how to pay your deposit (if you have not done so) to hold your place in your desired cohort within 1 calendar year of your admission.

❏ File your Deferral Paperwork: You may access the required official Deferral documentation here. You will submit this form back to your ES, with a brief statement as to why you are requesting a deferral. Please include your intended return term. 

❏ Review your Financial Plan: Reach out to both the Student Financial Service Office and the Student Accounts Office (If applicable) via 214-768-3417 or  Enrol_serv@smu.edu to discuss the financial implications of taking a deferral.  

❏ Please note - if you have borrowed Unsubsidized or Graduate PLUS loans, you will need to complete Federal Student Loan Exit Counseling. 

❏ If you plan on applying for federal student loans for the term you are returning, please fill out the FAFSA form. 

❏ Bookmark the Academic Calendar: It’s important for you to stay tuned into important dates like registration so that you can plan ahead. You can find the current academic calendar here. Please review the calendar entitled “Graduate & Advanced Studies.”

IF YOU HAVE ALREADY REGISTERED FOR CLASS

❏ Notify your professors: Connect with your professors to notify them of your upcoming deferral, and that you will not be returning to class this term. Please note that you're eligible to defer up until add/drop closes. After add/drop closes, you will need to submit paperwork to take a Leave of Absence. More information about the LOA process can be found on the LOA Checklist.

❏ Drop your courses: You will be unable to drop your courses down to zero credits, therefore you will want to drop as many as you can on your own following these instructions via My.SMU. 

❏ You will then need to complete both the Student Petition for Withdrawal/Cancellation to cancel your current term, as well as a Petition for Policy Exception form to drop your remaining course(s). You will receive these forms from your Student Success Advisor (SSA). 

❏ Return these completed forms to the Assistant Director (and cc your SSA) with a brief statement as to why you are requesting a deferral. Without this statement, your forms will not be accepted. 

❏ For additional information regarding financial implications of a deferral, please visit this site.

DURING YOUR DEFERRAL

❏ Communications with Your Enrollment Specialist: Expect outreach from your ES during your deferral. Work with your ES to find a cadence that works best for your needs. 

❏ If your plans have changed and you are no longer planning on pursuing the program, please notify your ES as soon as possible. 

❏ Check Your SMU Email: During your deferral, you will continue to receive regular important communications from SMU via your SMU email address. Please be sure to review your email on a regular cadence, and/or set up email forwarding.

4-6 WEEKS BEFORE YOUR UPDATED START DATE

❏ Schedule a meeting with your Student Success Advisor: to discuss a success plan for returning to the program and where you are in your program trajectory. 

❏ My.SMU: 

❏ Clear any holds that may appear in your My.SMU account. 

❏ Registration is completed in My.SMU. Registration instructions will be provided periodically leading up to registration. Check your My.SMU email frequently so that you stay up to date and have adequate time to prepare.

❏ Technology Next Steps: In preparation for registration and your return, please ensure you still have access to my.SMU. If you have any issues accessing my.SMU, please reach out to our Office of Information Technology at 214-768-HELP (214-768-4357). 

❏ Please also verify that you can log into the Digital Campus, if you have any issues, please reach out to our Digital Campus Tech Support at (833) 740-1273. If you need assistance with this process, please review the New Student Checklist for who to contact for assistance and any other pertinent information with returning into the program. 

❏ Finalize Your Financial Plan: Reconnect with both the Student Financial Service Office and the Student Accounts Office (If applicable) via 214-768-3417 or  Enrol_serv@smu.edu to finalize your financial plan.  This will ensure you will be set to register when you return.

2 WEEKS BEFORE YOUR START DATE

❏ Review and complete the New Student Checklist. Below are a few highlights to get you started:

❏ Pay Tuition Bill: Plan to connect with the Bursar’s Office to ensure any outstanding balance is paid prior to your return. This will ensure you are able to register for classes on time.

❏ Complete the Bridge to Stats Coursework: Prior to beginning the program, please ensure you complete your Bridge Course in the Digital Campus to prepare you for program material. 

❏ Purchase your textbooks: Once you gain access to your syllabus in the Digital Campus, textbooks can be ordered from the SMU Bookstore.

❏ Complete Week 1 coursework: You will get access to your course material in the Digital Campus two weeks prior to the start of the term. Complete all Week 1 coursework and Module 1 readings listed in your syllabus prior to your first live session.