Applied to education in the United States, super-seniors usually have the minimum number of credits to graduate but do not choose to for various reasons.
Stanford University in particular is known for its sizable constituency of fifth-year (and sometimes even sixth-year) seniors who took time off to volunteer or work overseas.
Before a 2012 change in church policy, female students were much less likely to take time off to serve missions (which, for women, last 18 months).
Under the old policy, men were allowed to serve at age 19, while women had to wait until 21 (by which time many would be close to finishing degrees, married, or both).
With the new policy, males can go on missions immediately after high school as long as they are at least 18, while females can serve once they turn 19.
Due to this more intense time commitment, music majors often have to take 2 or more additional semesters to complete their graduation requirements.
In many schools, the grade of "D" is enough to receive credit for a class, but not high enough to count towards the student's major or core/general education requirements.
Occasionally a student may keep their grade point average high enough to remain in school, but still fail enough classes that they do not have enough credits to graduate at the end of their four years.
In most cases, universities do not automatically grant graduation without application, and as long as tuition is paid, students are not forced to leave the school.
Some super-seniors take a leave of absence or extra majors on purpose to remain in school for as long as possible.
Such students may only attend classes on a part-time basis, taking over a decade to complete a bachelor's degree.
Being wait-listed (then being subsequently accepted off the waitlist later in the year) can delay students in earning credits for general education or toward their major.
Work constraints, family, or other issues may create a situation where night students can only take a one to two classes per semester.
In addition, parents who are paying for their children's education and living expenses may lose patience and cut their student's funding.