they would fit the criteria. The Bishop is what should pull the student's endorsement because his is no longer his or her ecclesiastical leader. This disqualifies the student. If the student gets another endorsement from one who he or she identifies as his or her ecclesiastical leader, they should be looked at like any other potential student.

BTW... When I was at BYU I moved 3 times and each time I had to get an endorsement from my new Bishop. My first and second Bishops could not endorse me when when they were no longer my bishop. If I did not get the endorsement I would be in the same situation.

Had I removed my name from the records of the church... I would expect that I would need to get an endorsement from SOMEBODY that I considered my ecclesiastical leader (Chaplain, Priest, Bishop or whatever).

If you say that I should retain the endorsement until the next year... I propose that you have explicitly told the Bishop that you do not accept his religious endorsement by removing yourself from the church.