Student about to delay getting protection (8)
I believe the answer is:
tutelage
'protection' is the definition.
(I know that tutelage is a type of protection)
'student about to delay' is the wordplay.
'student' becomes 'tutee' (someone being tutored).
'about' indicates putting letters inside.
'to delay' becomes 'lag' (lag is a kind of delay).
'tutee' going around 'lag' is 'TUTELAGE'.
'getting' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for tutelage that I've seen before include "guidance" , "Instruction by personal teacher" , "Office of tutor or guardian" , "Training" , "Schooling" .)