New and Returning Students

The Admissions Office is your first point of contact.

To learn more about the university, take a virtual tour, or schedule a campus visit, contact Admissions at Vetadmissions@IllinoisState.edu or (309) 438-2181.

For more information, view the Admissions website.

Apply up to one year in advance.

To complete the application process, you will need to submit a $55 non-refundable application fee, supply us with official transcripts for all post-secondary work, and provide the Member 4 copy of your DD-214.
The application fee is waived for Veterans and Guard/Reserves.

If you have earned fewer than 24 transferable credit hours after high school, you will also need to submit an official high school transcript or GED score, and if you are under 21 years old. ACT and SAT scores are now optional, but some selective-admissions programs may require test scores for direct entry.

Forward all transcripts from previous colleges and military training for review.

Submit any military transcripts to the university for evaluation. Military technical training earns course credit in many cases. Veterans may find their military transcripts on the Joint Services Transcript website.

Transcripts should be sent to:

Office of Admissions
Illinois State University
Campus Box 2202
Normal, IL 61790-2200

Send electronic transcripts to:

• Admissions@IllinoisState.edu (new students applying to Illinois State)
• ExternalTranscript@IllinoisState.edu (current students transferring credit to Illinois State)

*The school where transfer credit was earned should submit electronic transcripts to Illinois State directly. Illinois State will not accept transcripts forwarded by the student.

Submit your DD-214.

A veteran who completed one year of active duty and earned an honorable discharge will receive 6 credit hours for physical education requirements. A student can earn 6 hours of transfer credit for a year or more of cumulative active duty, or 4 hours for less than a year. These credits do not meet the Gen Ed requirement.

• You can obtain a copy of your military records, including a DD-214 on the milConnect website.
• Sing in with your CAC (we have CAC readers at Veterans Services) or your DoD Self Service Login.
• Hover over the "Manage" tab and select "Documents and Records".
• Select "Military Personnel File".
• You must first "Request your OMPF Information". The information will be available within 24 hours.

• Apply for Illinois National Guard Grant
  • You must apply annually prior to fall term
• Apply for Illinois Veterans Grant
• Apply for Illinois MIA/POW Scholarship
• Apply for GI Bill Benefits
• Apply for 9 month Post 9/11 extension for STEM students