Most participants move through the main stages from New Application to Alumni. Sometimes your application will show one of the stages below instead. Here's what each one means and what to do.
- On Hold means your application is paused, usually because you haven't logged in or updated it for a while, you haven't replied to a message from the team, or the program has closed for the season. Contact us and we'll help you pick up where you left off.
- Pending is similar to On Hold. It can happen if you've been out of touch, a resort made you a placement offer and we didn't hear back, you've told us you want to defer or withdraw, or the program has closed. Contact the office to get moving again, or use the Settings section of your profile to defer or withdraw.
- In Progress means your application has been carried over from last season. Review and update each section, sign your program agreement, and let the team know once you're done so they can move you to Accepted. If you had a placement last season and want that resort to consider you again, tell the team.
- Future Season means you've let us know you're not traveling this season, so we've saved your details. We'll be in touch as soon as applications open for next season. No action needed.
- Inactive means your account is switched off, usually because you asked to cancel, or the program isn't available in your country this season. Contact your customer service team if you'd like to reactivate it.
- Withdrawn means your application has been withdrawn because you asked to withdraw, you deferred to next season, or a program requirement wasn't met. If you think this is a mistake, contact us. If you deferred, we'll reach out when next season opens.
- Unsuccessful means your application wasn't successful this time. Another Smaller Earth program may suit you better, so it's worth exploring the other options available in your country.
- Incomplete Placement means you returned home without completing your placement. Everything you need is still in your profile, including payments, insurance, and US support contacts. See Leaving your program early for what to do.
Deferring or withdrawing your application
If you can no longer take part this season, you have two options. You can manage both from the Settings section of your profile.
Defer to next season
Deferring moves your application to a future season. Here is how it works:
- Request a deferral
- We review your application and tell you how much of what you have paid can transfer as credit to next season, in line with your refund and cancellation policy
- You sign the deferral agreement
- We create your application for next season, copying over your profile and uploaded documents such as references, certificates, and passport
- We let you know when applications open so you can update and complete it
Your credit goes to next season by default, but you can ask to move it to the year after instead. Credit cannot be transferred to another person.
Withdraw from the program
Withdrawing cancels your application. Here is how it works:
- Request a withdrawal
- We review your application individually and tell you your refund amount, if any, based on the services you have received and how much you have paid
- You sign the withdrawal agreement
If you are due a refund, we will ask for your bank details on a form, and refunds can take up to 30 days. If you owe anything after withdrawing, you need to settle it within 14 days. Any fees already paid for third-party services are non-refundable.
If you already have a placement, deferring or withdrawing automatically cancels it, so please send your resort a polite message to let them know before you confirm.
If you're ever unsure why your stage has changed, contact the Resort Leaders team and we'll explain and help you move forward.