I checked via NMSC log in. You can only defer the $2500 scholarship if you take a gap year. You have to contact NMSC (also choose Stanford as the college to go). I think you also have to accept Stanford in order to defer as well. Hope this help. My son is a recipient of the $2500 scholarship. He is offerred the 1/2 tuition Presidential Scholarship from USC as well (plus the NMS USC $1000 scholarship). Both USC and NMSC scholarship were offered to him as he chose USC a while back as his first choice. But you will receive only one of the NMS scholarships eventually. So for us the check for $2500 will be sent to Stanford directly.