Help on some vague parts of an offer letter

[nahiy]

Got an offer yesterday, but was a little confused by a few sentences. Here's some extractions:

" On behalf of the Graduate Admissions Committee it is my pleasure to offer you admission to the graduate program in xxxxx beginning in the Fall 2009 semester.

You have also been approved to receive a teaching assistantship which includes a monthly stipend and tuition waiver.

(blablabla about the TA........)

You will also receive a hard copy of your offer via regular mail. Please let us know as soon as possible if you wish to accept this teaching assistantship. This offer is valid until April 15, 2009. "

My question is: is this an offer of admission together with funding which I have till April 15 to decide? OR is only the admission part valid till April 15, while I need to respond to the TAship a.s.a.p. on the risk of losing the support if I don't?

Can anyone help me on this? Thanks a lot!

[RF237]

Legally, you have until April 15 to respond to any offer, including funding. Once they've offered it, they can't take it away, at least not until then. They put that rush-rush language in there because they want to know your decision as soon as possible so if you decide to go somewhere else, then they can offer your position and funding to someone on the waitlist.

[Comfect]

That's also what the sentence means - the offer is both TAship and admittance as one package. They just are also trying to encourage you to tell them early so they have their class set.