May a student defer entrance into college after completing high school and receive the HOPE Scholarship?
Yes, for military service. If a student enters military service within two years after completing high school or obtaining a GED, but before attending a postsecondary institution, then the student may apply for a scholarship within seven years of entering military service or one year of honorable discharge, whichever occurs first. The student must meet all applicable requirements for the scholarship, including the applicable academic requirements for the method by which the student completed high school. Otherwise, a student must enroll within 16 months following high school graduation or completion of a home school or GED program. Enrollment at an ineligible postsecondary institution during this time will make the student permanently ineligible.
