Students who are interested in returning to the College of Biological Sciences (CBS) after some time away should refer to the following instructions for the readmissions process. Please refer to the Readmissions Policies page for additional information. You can contact a CBS Academic Advisor with any questions.

Deadlines for Applying

• Students are encouraged to plan ahead and submit their application to return prior to the start of registration for the intended term of return. View upcoming registration dates. 
• Students may apply to return up to one semester prior to their intended return, excluding summer terms. For example, a student wishing to return for Fall, may submit their return application at the beginning of the previous Spring semester. If special circumstances may require an exception to these deadlines, please contact CBS Student Services.

Steps to Return

The process of returning to the University may be different depending on your status. Choose the situation that applies to you for more information.

• Returning from an approved leave of absence (LOA)

  If you have taken an approved leave of absence, follow the steps below to notify CBS of your intent to return. Note that you will return to your college of last enrollment. If you want to change your college, contact a CBS academic advisor to learn more about transferring into that college.

  1. Complete the Undergraduate Application to Return to the University. Students should submit the application at least two weeks prior to the start of term for which you plan to register. Note: A pdf version of the form is available upon request for accommodations.
  2. Submit official transcripts to the Office of Admissions if you completed coursework at another institution during your absence.
  3. Your application will be forwarded to CBS for review and decision, which may take up to three weeks. If an additional review for conduct is required, it may take longer.
  4. Discuss course registration with a CBS academic advisor. 

   

  International students: Additional instructions on how to return after a leave of absence can be found at International Student and Scholar Services.

   

• Returning from inactive status (Inactive for less than five years)

  Students who are not on an approved leave of absence and do not register for more than one semester (excluding summer), will be placed on inactive status. If you wish to resume coursework after being placed on inactive status, follow the steps below. You will return to your college of last enrollment. If you want to change your college, contact a CBS academic advisor to learn more about transferring into that college.

  1. Complete the Undergraduate Application to Return to the University. Students should submit the application at least two weeks prior to the start of term for which you plan to register. Note that you can complete this form without an active U of M Internet ID/log-in. A pdf version of the form is available upon request for accommodations.
  2. Submit official transcripts to the Office of Admissions if you completed coursework at another institution during your absence.
  3. Your application will be forwarded to CBS for review and decision, which may take up to three weeks. If an additional review for conduct is required, it may take longer.
  4. Meet with an advisor if that is requested of you. There may be additional considerations for return, such as changes to advising and degree requirements, depending on the length of time that you have been away from CBS. Please contact CBS Student Services to discuss your plans and visit the CBS Readmission Policies page to learn more.
• Returning from inactive status (inactive for five or more years)

  Students who are not on an approved leave of absence and do not register for more than one semester (excluding summer), will be placed on inactive status. If you wish to resume coursework after being placed on inactive status, follow the steps below. You will return to your college of last enrollment. If you want to change your college, contact a CBS academic advisor to learn more about transferring into that college. Students who have been on inactive status for five or more years are required to petition for readmission to return.

  1. Students who have been on inactive status for more than five years must petition the CBS Scholastics Committee for readmission by completing a Petition for Readmission. Students should submit the petition for readmission at least three weeks prior to the start of the term for which you plan to register.
  2. If the petition for readmission is approved, complete the Undergraduate Application to Return to the University. Note that you can complete this form without an active U of M Internet ID/log-in. A pdf version of the form is available upon request for accommodations.
  3. Submit official transcripts to the Office of Admissions if you completed coursework at another institution during your absence.
  4. Your application will be forwarded to CBS for final review and decision, which may take up to three weeks. If an additional review for conduct is required, it may take longer.
  5. Meet with a CBS academic advisor. There may be additional considerations for return, such as changes to advising and degree requirements, depending on the length of time that you have been away from CBS. Please contact CBS Student Services to discuss your plans and visit the CBS Readmission Policies page to learn more. 

   

• Returning from academic suspension

  Students who have been suspended from the University may not register for any University of Minnesota courses for at least one full academic year. If you were placed on academic suspension and wish to resume your studies at the University, follow the steps below. You will return to your college of last enrollment.  

   

  1. Students on suspension must petition the CBS Scholastics Committee for reinstatement by completing a Petition for Reinstatement. CBS reinstates students from suspension for the fall and spring semesters (not summer session). The deadline to submit Petitions for Reinstatement is November 15th (for spring semester) and July 15th (for fall semester). 
  2. If the petition for reinstatement is approved, complete the Undergraduate Application to Return to the University. Note that you can complete this form without an active U of M Internet ID/log-in. A pdf version of the form is available upon request for accommodations.
  3. Submit official transcripts to the Office of Admissions if you completed coursework at another institution during your absence.
  4. Your application will be forwarded to CBS for final review and decision, which may take up to three weeks. If an additional review for conduct is required, it may take longer.
  5. Meet with a CBS academic advisor to discuss additional considerations for return, such as changes to advising and degree requirements, depending on the length of time that you have been away from CBS. Please contact CBS Student Services to discuss your plans and visit the CBS Readmission Policies page to learn more.
• Returning after graduation

  CBS students who have graduated, but want to complete a deferred major or minor, or pursue another CBS major or minor, should submit an online Undergraduate Application for Return to the University.  Once courses are completed, please contact the CBS Student Services office to have this major and/or minor added to your University of Minnesota transcript; you will not receive an additional diploma.

  Students who wish to complete an additional major, minor, or degree outside of CBS should contact the college offering that program directly.  

  Students returning to complete prerequisite coursework for graduate or professional programs should enroll as non-degree students through the College of Continuing & Professional Studies. Non-degree students should complete the enrollment process through the One Stop non-degree/guest student website. 

• Returning for graduation

  Students who have been placed on inactive status, but have completed all degree requirements and have not graduated should contact a CBS academic advisor to have their record reviewed for graduation.

Financial Aid, Residency, and Reciprocity

When returning to the University, you may need to take additional steps to receive financial aid or to have your residency status updated for in-state or out-of-state tuition billing. Questions about financial aid and the cost of attendance can be directed to One Stop Student Services. 

Detailed information about residency and reciprocity can be found through the Residency, Reciprocity, and Tuition Exemption brochure. An automatic review of your residency status will be conducted if you submit an application to return to the university, but additional information may be requested from you.

Residents of a reciprocity state/province (Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Manitoba) may need to re-apply for residency through their home state/province to receive in-state tuition rates at the University of Minnesota. Additional information may be found through the Office of Admissions reciprocity website.

Students who have completed an undergraduate degree generally do not qualify for financial aid. Contact a One Stop Student Services representative with any financial aid questions. If you plan to complete prerequisite courses to be eligible for admission to a degree-seeking program, you may be able apply for a limited amount of financial aid using the Prerequisite Coursework Certification form.