Consumer information for University students

The links provided here are a guide to making informed decisions as a University of Minnesota student. A broad range of topics provide essential understandings and tools to encourage a successful academic experience, as mandated by federal requirements set forth in the Higher Education Act of 1965 (amended in 1988). If you need assistance or would like a paper copy of this information, please contact One Stop Student Services.

Twin Cities campus institutional information

Academics

Detailed information for undergraduate, graduate, professional, and certificate programs is available through the University department/college offering the program. Faculty and other instructional personnel are profiled in their Univeristy department and collegiate Web sites.

Instructional facilities and labs

Specific information about instructional facilities and laboratory space can be obtained through the department/college offering the course or program.

Program review and accreditation

Accreditation is a process of reviewing the quality of higher education institutions. Two types of accreditation are used at the University of Minnesota:

Institutional accreditation
A comprehensive review by a private, nongovernmental organization specifically created to review higher education institutions and programs for quality. The four University of Minnesota campuses are accredited separately at the institutional level by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Specialized accreditation
Refers to review of a program. The evaluation is done by a specialized accrediting body and is often associated with a national professional organization or with a specific discipline.

Disability Services

Facilities and services for students with disabilities

Equal Employment and Educational Opportunity

The University of Minnesota is envisioned as a community free from prejudice, discrimination, hatred and ignorance - an intellectually and culturally vibrant place of learning and leadership where all individuals are valued, respected, and unobstructed in their pursuit of excellence in their work and scholarship. Go to the above link for detailed information on how this vision is implemented.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

As a University student, you are required to give certain information in order that the University may make reasonable judgments about you, provide services, and give informed advice regarding courses to be followed. Such personal data and information may become part of your University student education record. You may make the justifiable assumption that the University, as custodian of this data, will preserve the data's private nature. By requiring or requesting such information, the University gives assurance that the information will be protected against improper disclosure and only those within the institution who have a legitimate need-to-know will have access to this information. All student information is stored in decentralized locations.

Student Right-to-Know Act Graduation Rate Report

Admissions

For specific information about admissions requirements for any of the colleges and professional schools, please contact them directly.

Enrollment policy

You are encouraged to maintain the same number of credits throughout the semester. In the event that you must reduce your credit load, the University has an established refund schedule for tuition and fees. See also the 13-credit Policy FAQ.

University student accounts

Billing and payment
You are notified in your University e-mail account when your billing statement is available online. You must pay the balance due in in full by the due date. Use the University 's online UMPay for a convenient, secure payment. You must make at least a minimum payment by the due date and assume installment plan charges that will be added to your amount due. If you fail to make a payment, late payment fees will be added to your account and a hold placed on your records. With a hold in place, you will not be able to register for classes at the University until the bill is paid in full.

One Stop Student Services

For information about registration, financial aid, tuition and billing, student records, and general institutional issue

Student financial aid

Rights and responsibilities of aid recipients

Rights

  • Be informed about financial aid application procedures, cost of attendance, aid available and renewal requirements
  • Confidential protection of your financial aid records, i.e., the contents of your financial aid file are maintained in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
  • Appeal decisions made by the financial aid staff at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (a written appeal must be submitted to the Office of Student Finance)

Responsibilities

  • Complete applications correctly and on time
  • Read and understand all materials sent to you from the Office of Student Finance and other financial aid agencies
  • Keep copies of all forms and materials submitted
  • Know and comply with the rules governing your aid programs
  • Comply with the provisions of any promissory note and all other agreements you sign
  • Register for the number of credit hours required and maintain satisfactory academic progress
  • Request personal assistance, if you have questions or don't understand the information provided to you

Applying for financial aid

To be considered for aid, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov after January 1 each year for the upcoming academic year that begins in the upcoming fall term. Applying online is faster and more accurate than submitting a paper application. However, you may request a paper application at the FAFSA Web site, if you prefer to complete a paper form. The FAFSA is available in both English and Spanish. Be sure to include the University's Federal School Code of 003969 to release your information to the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.

The cost of attendance (COA) at the University of Minnesota includes, but is not limited to: tuition, fees, room (residence halls/apartments) and board (meal plans/groceries), books, and miscellaneous expenses. COA is calculated individually according to your program of study, housing arrangement, and year in school.

Estimated family contribution

Your estimated family contribution (EFC), a figure determined by the results of your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).Your financial need is the difference between our estimates of your cost of attending the University and the amount the federal and state governments expect you and your family to contribute to those costs, e.g., your estimated family contribution (EFC). Your total EFC is calculated using a federal needs analysis formula and is based on income and other data you report on the FAFSA, including your own savings and employment income.

Cost of attendance minus (–) family resources = financial need

Need-based financial aid

If you have financial need, you will be offered financial aid to meet that need. The aid offered may be any combination of grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study jobs. If you are awarded financial aid, in particular student loans, accept only the amount necessary to meet your expenses.

Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress

Financial aid satisfactory academic progress (SAP) and your academic performance are reviewed to ensure that you are making progress toward graduation. Your financial aid eligibility is based on standards that are established, published, and applied by the Office of Student Finance (OSF), as required by the U. S. Department of Education.

Return of financial aid after withdrawal

Be aware that changes in your enrollment may require you to return all or a portion of the financial aid disbursed to you. If you received a credit balance check or direct deposit earlier in the semester, you may be required to return a portion of those funds to the financial aid programs from which the aid was received. This portion represents funds that were intended to pay education-related expenses through the end of the semester. The amount to be returned to the University will be calculated from the date on which you officially withdrew.

Athletic program participation and financial support

The Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act (EADA) Report provides annual participation rates and financing of men's and women's sports in intercollegiate athletic programs

Campus safety and security

Campus Security Act (Clery Act)

Statistical reporting of campus crime

University of Minnesota Police Department (UMPD)

The UMPD is responsible for all property owned by the University in the Twin Cities metropolitan area and provides proactive patrol, crime prevention, investigative, law enforcement, and emergency services. University police are licensed as "peace officers,"as set forth by Minnesota State Statute 629.40. Peace officers have statewide arrest powers and work closely with federal, state, and local police agencies (including the Minneapolis and St. Paul police departments). The department patrols by squad, motorcycle, bike, and on foot on the Twin Cities campuses. The Community Investigative division assigns a qualified officer to a section of campus who becomes familiar with a section's staff, faculty, and students. The 9-1-1 center is staffed 24 hours with professional emergency dispatchers. The department's Community Investigator/Crime Prevention unit does weekly presentations for residence halls, student groups, and faculty/staff units on personal safety and crime prevention. If you are interested in an informational presentation, call 624-COPS.

UMPD student security monitors and campus escorts

Students are employed by the police department as uniformed student security monitors who routinely inspect exterior lighting, campus telephones, and building security. Security monitors are subject to a criminal background check before hiring and undergo 30-40 hours of training to act as the "eyes and ears" of the police department. They have no arrest powers, but are trained to identify which situations will require additional emergency assistance from police, fire, or EMS. Security monitors provide night security for all on-campus residence halls on-site from 11p.m. to 7 a.m. They work with the on-call staff to promote the safety of all residents.

More information about UMPD

Programs and services, the Twin Cities campus, crime prevention, statistics, University policies, definitions, and more campus security information.

Drug-free schools/workplace

Drug use, trafficking, and possession are violations of the established University Board of Regents Policy regarding Student Conduct Code. In compliance with the federal regulations on drug free schools, the University has the following policy and listing of resources for faculty and staff.

Student Conduct Code

All students at the University are bound by the Student Conduct Code. It is the policy of the University of Minnesota (University) that certain minimum standards of conduct are necessary to safeguard the rights, opportunities, and welfare of students, faculty, staff, and guests of the University community and to assure protection of the interests of the University as it seeks to carry out its mission. The University requires a community free from violence, threats, and intimidation; protective of free inquiry; respectful of the rights of others; open to change; supportive of democratic and lawful procedures; and dedicated to a rational and orderly approach to the resolution of conflict.