open enrollment
noun
1
a
chiefly US
: the voluntary enrollment of a student in a public school other than the one assigned on the basis of residence
Carnegie Vanguard High would continue to offer open enrollment to students from across the district and would still likely offer transportation to all its students.—Shelby Webb
b
chiefly US
: enrollment on demand as a student in an institution of higher learning irrespective of formal qualifications
Open enrollment, long the hallmark of the community college, may soon be a thing of the past.—Rick Diguette
2
chiefly US
: a period of time during which someone can join something (such as a health insurance plan) as a member or participant : a period of time during which a person can enroll in something
Just one in four people who buy their own insurance or who are uninsured could name the correct deadline (December 15) for open enrollment, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation poll taken last month.—Dylan Scott
Cite this Entry
“Open enrollment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/open%20enrollment. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.
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