Can You Defer the NSF GRFP for One Year?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the possibility of deferring the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) for one year while concurrently holding another fellowship during the first year of graduate school. Participants explore the terminology used in the NSF FAQ, specifically the distinction between "deferment" and "reserve" status, and share their experiences and uncertainties regarding the process.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express confusion over the terms "deferment" and "reserve," noting that deferment may not be allowed while reserve status could provide flexibility.
  • One participant suggests contacting the NSF directly to clarify the process and requirements, mentioning that deferrals are typically not permitted except in specific circumstances.
  • Another participant shares that their department mandates the use of the GRFP in the first year, while others indicate that it may be possible to choose when to utilize the funding based on individual circumstances.
  • There is mention of the GRFP allowing for up to two years of reserve status, which could be used to postpone fellowship support while engaging in other professional development opportunities.
  • Participants discuss the implications of holding another fellowship, with one noting that it is a departmental fellowship and not from a federal agency, which may influence eligibility for reserve status.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the ability to defer or reserve the NSF GRFP, as experiences and departmental policies vary. There are multiple competing views regarding the rules and processes involved.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include varying departmental policies regarding the use of fellowships, the potential for outdated information from previous years, and the need for clarification from the NSF regarding specific cases.

Dishsoap
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Greetings,

I am wondering if anyone has had experience deferring the NSF GRFP for only one year. I will be in graduate school, but I have a first-year fellowship so I would like my GRF to begin in my second year.

I am slightly confused by the vocabulary in their FAQ - it seems like "deferment" is not allowed, but there is an option called "reserve". I'm wondering if I would just be in "reserve" for a year, or what. And several others on other forums have done this but don't mention how. Do you accept the award first and then change the status? Do I need to contact them?
 
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Dishsoap said:
Greetings,

I am wondering if anyone has had experience deferring the NSF GRFP for only one year. I will be in graduate school, but I have a first-year fellowship so I would like my GRF to begin in my second year.

I am slightly confused by the vocabulary in their FAQ - it seems like "deferment" is not allowed, but there is an option called "reserve". I'm wondering if I would just be in "reserve" for a year, or what. And several others on other forums have done this but don't mention how. Do you accept the award first and then change the status? Do I need to contact them?

Call/Email them, worst case they may tell you to reapply for next year prior to the end of your first year of graduate school before you become ineligible. They typically don't allow deferrals (with some exceptions)... see here: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2012/nsf12062/nsf12062.pdf (Outdated, maybe 2016 is different?)

Also see...
The Fellowship Period is five years maximum, unless there is a Military or Medical Deferral. The Fellowship provides up to three years of financial support (Tenure: Stipend and institutional Costof-Education Allowance) and up to two additional years (Reserve) with no financial support and continued access to other aspects of GRFP (international research opportunities, professional development pilot programs, XSEDE, etc.).

Reserve Status ensures that Fellows have the flexibility of incorporating professional development opportunities (e.g., research assistantships, teaching assistantships, internships, etc.) into their graduate programs. Fellows may use Reserve Status to postpone Fellowship Support for up to two years, in 12-month increments, during the five-year Fellowship Period. Fellows on Reserve Status must remain actively engaged in full-time research and/or coursework, leading to an eligible graduate degree in an NSF-supported field.

So can you reserve the first year and then use the other fellowship? I don't know about all the rules...not if it's another federal fellowship..

You might be able to... but again, call and make sure.
 
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It depends on your department. Mine makes you use it even with the first year fellowship. However, if that is not the case I am pretty sure you could do that because you can choose the years you use the funding. For example, I know someone who used it for his first year but not his second year because his advisor gave him an RA. Basically every year you complete an annual report and then are asked if you want to use another year of funding.
 
Oh, interesting. From this thread and others it seems like what the technical term is is "reserve" and not "defer", so for each GRFP award there are 5 years, two of which are "reserve" and three of which are "tenure". So it should be do-able. It's interesting, radium, that some schools require you to use it the first year.

Thank you for all of the info!
 
Dishsoap said:
Oh, interesting. From this thread and others it seems like what the technical term is is "reserve" and not "defer", so for each GRFP award there are 5 years, two of which are "reserve" and three of which are "tenure". So it should be do-able. It's interesting, radium, that some schools require you to use it the first year.

Thank you for all of the info!
Is the other Fellowship from the DoE?
 
Student100 said:
Is the other Fellowship from the DoE?

No, it's a diversity-type thingy from the graduate school.
 
Dishsoap said:
No, it's a diversity-type thingy from the graduate school.

Then you should be able to reserve the government one the first year, assuming it's not somehow connected to the DoE or another government agency.. I'd call and make sure.
 
Ok so it's a departmental fellowship. You should talk to the grad chair then, I'm sure they have dealt with this before.
 

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