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National Signing Day/April 15 CGS Resolution

All programs should be aware of the April 15 'National Signing Day' date, and its significance when creating or revising their funding offer letters for admitted students. 

The information below is intended for all University of Minnesota graduate programs that offer funding to admitted students. Also included are examples of acceptable wording for funding offer letters.

CGS Resolution Background

The Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) has published the April 15 Resolution since the mid 1960s. The Resolution is concerned with the conditions surrounding the acceptance of offers of certain kinds of graduate student financial assistance, namely, scholarships, fellowships, traineeships, and assistantships. The timeline applies to applicants for the upcoming fall semester. The general spirit of the Resolution is that:  

  • Students should have an opportunity to consider more than one offer and should have until April 15 to do so.
  • Institutions and students should be able to view acceptances in force after April 15 as binding.
  • Everyone should know what the rules are.
  • An offer by the institution and its acceptance by the student constitute an agreement which both are expected to honor.

The intent of the Resolution is to provide a uniform and widely acceptable framework that provides protection for both student and institution. The Resolution acknowledges that students, after having accepted an offer, may change their minds and withdraw that acceptance. Frequently asked questions about the Resolution can be found on the CGS website.

Clear Wording

Clear wording about acceptance deadlines should be included in all funding offer letters to admitted students. Below are examples of acceptable offer letter wording for programs offering students funding in the form of assistantships, fellowships, scholarships, or traineeships.

Example 1

Because of our policy of limited admission, we would appreciate a response from you, in writing, before April 15. If you should decide not to join us, we will then be able to offer your place to an applicant on our waiting list. You are, however, under no obligation to respond to this offer of financial support prior to April 15 as indicated on the enclosed policy statement of the Council of Graduate Schools. You may wait or change your mind any time up to that date. However, an acceptance given or left in force after April 15 constitutes a contract which you are expected to honor.

Example 2

We would like to hear from you as soon as you make a decision regarding enrollment in our program but you must respond no later than April 15. We will have to withdraw our offer if we have not heard from you by that time. By agreement of the member institutions of the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS), you are free to postpone your decision until April 15, or change your decision before that date. After that, you need a release from the program you have already accepted in order to accept an alternative offer. A copy of the CGS resolution is enclosed. By accepting our offer, you also agree to abide by the terms and conditions outlined above.

Reporting Breaches

Please report any potential breaches of the April 15 CGS Resolution to the Graduate School by using this online reporting form. You can also contact Dean Tsantir directly at tsan0006@umn.edu for assistance.  

Administrative Policies

International Grading Standards

Easily access country by country grading criteria for graduate admissions. Please contact Jim Rowan or Paula Baker with questions or concerns. 

VIEW COUNTRY SHEETS

File Retention Guidelines

The Graduate School Admissions Office maintains application records according to the Records Retention Schedule. 

  • Full applications for all applicants are retained for 3 years.
  • Partial applications for enrolled students only are retained permanently.
  • Permanent application records do not include recommendations.  

FERPA & Student Privacy

Under FERPA, enrolled students have the right to view their student records, including application information. If recommendations are part of the application, the student may view them only if they did NOT waive their right to access recommendations at the time of application. Contact the Graduate School Admission Office if you receive a request to view recommendations.  

Please note that denied applicants and admitted applicants who do not enroll at the University do not have the right to view their applications.

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