Continuing its innovations to support students’ education during a pandemic, Concordia has put in place a Cobber Flex Year option. The Flex Year option offers current students and who were enrolled as degree-seeking students in Fall 2021 two tuition-free semesters of study beyond their anticipated graduation date. The Flex Year option allows students whose college experience is affected by the pandemic expanded possibilities to learn — both in class and beyond — in ways they find most compelling.

Students may use the Cobber Flex Year option to complete degree requirements, add an additional major or minor, undertake a PEAK learning experience or research with a faculty member, or take on an internship or service project that is not currently available. They may also have additional time to participate in music ensembles, fine arts, or athletics when tours and competitions have resumed more traditional schedules.

We are impressed with the creativity and resilience Cobbers have shown in this challenging time and want to make sure all students have options for the time they need to get the most out of their Concordia education.

Who is Eligible

• Current students who were enrolled as degree-seeking students in the Fall 2021 semester. Cobber Flex Year will begin immediately following the eighth semester of continuous full-time enrollment, regardless of their academic class standing at entry. 
• International students are eligible to participate in the Cobber Flex Year under certain circumstances. Prior to participation, international students must meet with staff from Global Learning to discuss their eligibility and immigration requirements.

Throughout the six or eight semesters of continuous enrollment, students must be registered as full-time students (12 credits minimum) in both fall and spring semester to be eligible for the Cobber Flex Year.

Students using the Flex Year program may finish an already declared Rize Education program for which they have started to take classes, but they cannot declare a Rize program to remain degree-seeking, and therefore eligible, for the Flex Year.

On a case-by-case basis, those students who have “stopped out” of their Concordia education in Spring or Fall 2020 due to concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic will be considered for eligibility to utilize the Cobber Flex Year.

Applications for the Flex Year to begin in Fall 2025 are due by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024.

How to Apply

Students must complete and submit an application form to the Registrar’s Office one year prior to using the Cobber Flex Year. This registration process allows college staff and faculty the opportunity to plan for course sections and other academic programming.

The application deadline for those wishing to begin a Flex Year in Fall 2025 is Nov. 6, 2024. Students apply for the Flex Year in their senior year when they are in their seventh consecutive full-time term if they entered as new undergraduates and in their fifth consecutive full-time term if they entered as transfer students.

Application deadlines for each semester are listed in the document. 

FAQs