Admissions

Current Gap Year Students

Congratulations on being approved for a Gap Year Deferral at Portland State! 

Here at PSU, we believe that a gap year can provide students with time to prepare for college in many ways. Your gap year is a chance to get out of your comfort zone and stretch your boundaries. Our hope is that after this year away from formal education, you will have gained tools for success as you earn a degree. These tools can look different for everyone: a clearer focus, saving/earning money, building a professional network, experiential learning, connecting to community, service to others...the list goes on.

We would love to hear from you along the way! Tell us stories about what you’ve been up to, your major “aha” moments or challenges, or your favorite memories. If you post on social media, tag @go2psu - we may repost your photo or story! 

Regardless of your reasons for a gap year, we want to ensure you have a smooth transition to Portland State. We will check in regularly, but we also encourage you to reference this page to ensure you’re on track for your first term. In the meantime, we wish you an enriching and meaningful experience!

Guarantees

  • Your admission decision will be deferred to the next fall quarter. You will not be required to submit a new application.
  • If you qualified for Western Undergraduate Exchange or the Out-of-State Opportunity Scholarship, it will be guaranteed for the next academic year. Need-based financial aid and scholarships (such as Four Years Free) are not guaranteed, as they will require evaluation of an updated FAFSA for the next academic year.
  • Your Admissions Counselor will continue to be a resource for you throughout your gap year to answer questions and keep you on track for enrollment.

Requirements

  • Submit your final high school transcript by August 1 to the PSU Office of Undergraduate Admissions. 
  • Contact PSU programs that require separate admission or applications (i.e. Honors, Music, Housing and Residence Life, etc.). It is the discretion of these programs to grant their own deferral.
  • When prompted, confirm your plans to enroll for the fall term to which you deferred your admission. Gap year students do not pay the $200 tuition deposit with this confirmation.
  • Check your @pdx.edu address regularly during your gap year. By default, all important emails from PSU will go to this address. Use your PSU account to log in at mail.pdx.edu. 

  • Any merit scholarships awarded to you by PSU Admissions will be guaranteed for the next academic year. Need-based financial aid (such as Four Years Free) and scholarships are not guaranteed and will require an updated FAFSA by February 1st for the next academic year.

  • Notify your Admissions Counselor immediately if you decide to enroll in college coursework during your gap year. Doing so may invalidate your Gap Year Deferral.
  • If your plans to attend PSU change, notify your Admissions Counselor immediately.

Important Dates and Deadlines

We recommend adding these dates to your calendar. You don’t want to forget them while you're busy with your gap year.
  • Apply for Financial Aid. The FAFSA opens every fall on October 1st. We encourage you to complete it no later than the following February 1st. Financial Aid awards are typically ready for students to review starting in March.
  • PSU’s Scholarship Application for the coming academic year also opens October 1st and is due February 1st.
  • If you are interested in living on campus, the annual housing contract opens mid-November. Priority room and building selection is based on the date of contract submission; submissions in by May 1st are guaranteed room availability.
  • February is Gap Year Exploration Month. If you’re interested in sharing more about your gap year (including a chance to be featured on @go2psu, PSU Admissions on Instagram), email your Admissions Counselor by January 30th.
  • Need-based financial aid (such as Four Years Free) and scholarships are not guaranteed and will require an updated FAFSA by February 1st for the next academic year.
  • You will need to confirm your plans to enroll by May 1 for the fall term to which you deferred your admission. Remember, gap year students do not pay the $200 tuition deposit with this confirmation.
  • You will register for fall classes, as well as learn all about PSU requirements and resources, at your choice of New Student Orientation in the summer. To snag your preferred date (usually the earlier the better!), be sure to keep an eye out for when Orientation sign-up opens, typically in May.