We are waiting for all financial aid packages to come in before making a final decision. One college is urging us to put in our refundable enrollment deposit to “save her space in their freshman class.” They are still interviewing students for their increasingly selective program. Can she lose her spot if other accepted students put in their deposit before her, thus filling up all the spaces before May 1?
If you are simply talking about already being admitted to a college regular admission with a May 1 final response date, then generally you have until May 1 to accept, although for some colleges when you accept can have a signifciant impact on housing – some colleges assign housing as housing applications are received and housing applications can be sent only after the offer of admission has been accepted, with the result that those who accept admission late in the process by May 1, might actually find on-campus housing no longer available.
Your post, however, raises a question because of the save-your-space statement by the college and your mention of a “selective program.” If you are admitted to some special program (perhaps some kind of special honors program) outside of just being admitted to the college, the college might have different rules than just waiting until May1.
In any event, the answer to your question can best be provided by the college, so you should call and specifically ask for an answer if you cannot find it on the the college’s website.
It is perfectly fine for you to communicate with the college, and ask what the firm reply date is for that specific program. Should it be before May 1, that would be the time to ask for an extension until May 1 because your family must wait for all of the financial aid offers to be finalized. They can deny an extension, or offer a different date for an extension, but if they do want your kid, it is likely that you will be given some kind of extension.