See the Registrar's COVID-19 and Academic Continuity page for information for students, faculty, and staff relevant to academic policy and academic continuity.
Flex Terms are an opportunity for undergraduates to participate in Stanford activities, such as student organizations, research, or Cardinal Service, without requiring full-time enrollment. Flex Term is similar to a Summer quarter in a traditional academic year. Undergraduate students are limited to one Flex Term during the 2020-21 academic year and are expected to enroll full time in the three remaining quarters. Students that are unable to or do not want to enroll full time in all three quarters may apply for a LOA. Students are not required to take a Flex Term and may instead enroll full time for all four quarters (though students should contact the Financial Aid Office regarding funding for the fourth quarter, as students are generally only eligible to receive financial aid for three quarters, the standard length of Stanford’s academic year). Alternately, if students do not wish to enroll full time in all three quarters, they may apply for a LOA.
Undergraduate students will have the ability to designate their Flex Term as part of the quarterly check-in. A Flex Term will be assumed for those who do not complete the quarterly check-in and have not already used their Flex Term previously.
International undergraduates are expected to enroll in three consecutive quarters during the 2020-21 academic year, with Summer considered their Flex Term. For more information please refer to the Bechtel International Center website.
Undergraduates may take one Flex Term in the 2020-21 academic year. The Flex Term is equivalent to the ‘Summer’ term in a standard academic year.
No. Enrollment is not required in a student’s Flex Term. The student can take the quarter away from Stanford or choose to engage by enrolling in up to 5 free units.
Undergraduates and coterm students in the undergraduate tuition group can enroll in up to 5 units for the quarter. All 5 of the units are free and do not carry a tuition charge. Students may see other charges on their bill for the flex quarter, such as the Campus Service Health Services Fee or ASSU fees, etc.
During a Flex Term, you can participate in Stanford activities and organizations, pursue part-time opportunities funded by Stanford, and use Stanford resources. You can also participate in full-time Stanford programs (e.g. Cardinal Quarter, research programs) in Spring or Summer after completing two quarters of full time enrollment in the current academic year.
No, if taking a Flex Term, it must be done in one of the four terms (Autumn, Winter, Spring, Summer) of the current 2020-21 academic year.
Yes, you can enroll in the free units in your Flex Term to complete your degree requirements and apply to graduate.
Students can apply to graduate in their Flex Term only if they are enrolled in the free units (1-5 units). Otherwise, if a student wants to apply to graduate but prefers not to enroll in the free units, they should select “Enrolled” in the Quarterly Check-In (not “Flex Term”) and apply for a Special Registration Status.
No. Stanford’s financial aid program is not available to provide support for your living expenses during your Flex Term. If the financial aid program supports your living expenses during enrolled quarters you will need to find alternative resources during your Flex Term, just as you normally would during a summer term. More detailed information is available from the Financial Aid Office.
Federal Work Study (FWS) and Community Service Work Study (CSWS - through Haas) may be available for students eligible for federal student aid if you are enrolled in up to 5 units or are not enrolled but intend to enroll in the following quarter. If you are not enrolled, you may earn up to $7,000. Enrollment will limit your eligibility for FWS or CSWS based on your living situation.
Coterm students in the undergraduate tuition group are eligible for a Flex Term and up to 5 free units in the flex quarter. For more information on coterm tuition groups, see Coterm Tuition Assessment.
Coterms are only eligible to add free units to their undergraduate career. You will not be able to add these free units to your graduate career.
Yes. Courses taken during a coterminal student's Flex Term are eligible to be transferred via the Coterminal Course Transfer process, as long as all other conditions for transfer are met.
Yes, student athletes are permitted to take a Flex Term at their discretion. However, the ability to practice, compete, and receive athletics aid may be contingent on full-time enrollment, so it is in your best interest to contact the Compliance Services Office at stanfordcompliance@stanford.edu with any questions prior to enrolling in a Flex Term.
For further questions regarding the Flex Term, please submit a ServiceNow ticket.