For example, would it be possible to complete my freshman year at one university and transfer to another university but repeat freshman year (attend new school for 4 years).
Yes it is possible to transfer into a University as a Freshman based on credits, but not on actual status for things such as Freshman merit aid/scholarships. You would also have to submit your college transcripts from the other university, so you cannot start fresh with a new slate. Your classes and grades will follow you, so if you want to start as a actual Freshman, take a gap year and reapply as a Freshman.
You can attend a school for 8 years or more if you/family have the funds. . . .
I was just wondering the same thing! My son seems ambivalent about going away, and could use a couple more classes to be his most college ready (pre-calc and a good basic writing class). So, @Gumbymom, he would likely not get most of the merit offers he has now if he took a couple classes and applied as a freshman again? I’ve heard of one school that gave a young man a deferral, and he took community college classes and went the next year with the same scholarships. That was a private school. Do you many schools do that? If we were interested in that, do we ask admissions?
If you apply and are accepted to a military academy, you start over as a freshman. Not sure the motivation behind your question for a better answer.
For many schools, if you take any college courses post HS graduation, then you are a transfer student but it is dependent on each schools policy. If you defer your enrollment for a year, you would have to check the school’s policy in regards to taking college classes during the deferral. Again school dependent.