Preparing for Orientation
If you’re a first-year student or a transfer student with less than 24 credit hours, you must pay a $190 enrollment fee to confirm your enrollment.
You can pay this fee through your application portal. Please note that this fee is non-refundable. Once your payment is processed, you will receive an email inviting you to sign up for New Student Orientation.
Before your orientation day, please make sure to complete the following items to be fully prepared:
Activate your SIUE e-ID
Learn how to set up your e-ID (Student ID Number). If you need assistance with the process, check out the ITS e-ID setup guide for step-by-step help.
Complete the Orientation Module & New Student Profile
Please submit your New Student Profile. This will help you make the most of your academic advising session.
We have also created a short online Orientation Module to prepare you for a successful New Student Orientation. You can complete the modules at your own pace. If you need to take a break, just log back in, and you can easily continue from where you left off.
Take Your Placement Tests
Students come to the university with different levels of skills in math, reading, writing, chemistry, and physics. It’s important for all students to take courses that match their skill levels to ensure their success.
If you need to take a placement test, you will receive an email from SIUE Testing Services with more information and instructions for completing the tests online.
Important: Placement tests are free and should be taken as soon as possible, but no later than one week before attending advising.
Free language proficiency exams are available for French, German, and Spanish. These tests take about 40 minutes and are given in the Foreign Language Training Center located in Peck Hall, Room 2310. Based on your exam scores, you will be placed in the appropriate language course and may earn up to 16 credit hours. For more details, please contact the Department of Foreign Languages and Literature at 618-650-3510.
Complete all Financial Responsibilities
Make sure to file the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) using SIUE's school code: 001759. Even if you don’t plan to use FAFSA for financial aid, some of our scholarships are determined by the information provided in your FAFSA application. Filling it out can help you qualify for additional funding opportunities.
Third Party Payer Authorization:
If you want a family member or trusted supporter to help discuss your financial information with important campus offices like the Bursar's Office and Financial Aid, you can allow them to do so. To set this up, log into CougarNet, go to your Student Account information, and fill out the section titled Authorization to Release Information.
You can also give a parent or other trusted person permission to view or pay your SIUE student account. Just make sure to grant them the access they need.
Apply for Housing
Please submit your housing application as early as possible to improve your chances of getting your preferred room type or living community.
If you plan to live off-campus, you will need to waive your housing requirement. Be sure to complete this step.
Send Your Documents
Please submit your final official high school transcript, which should include your senior year grades and graduation date. If you are a transfer student, also include any college transcripts and official documents for credit review, such as Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) scores.
You can submit your documents electronically. They must be sent directly from your school to etranscripts@siue.edu.
If you prefer to mail your transcripts, please send them to:
SIUE Office of Admissions
Campus Box 1047
Edwardsville, IL 62026-1047
Submit Your Cougar Card Photo
You’ll need to submit a photo for your Cougar Card. New students will receive their Cougar Card during Orientation. Please bring a valid form of identification, such as a driver’s license, state ID card, or passport, to verify your identity.
Download the SIUE App
Make sure to download the SIUE app and enable notifications before Orientation. This will help you stay updated with important information! You can download the app here:
Immunizations & Insurance
The State of Illinois requires all new students to provide proof of vaccination against certain diseases, including Rubeola, Rubella, Mumps, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis, and Meningitis ACWY.
SIUE also requires all full-time students taking at least one in-person class to have health insurance. As a result, students enrolled in on-campus courses will be billed for student health insurance.
If you already have health insurance that meets SIUE's requirements, you can waive this fee by completing the waiver process before the deadline. If your waiver is approved for the fall term, you won’t need to submit it again for spring or summer terms in the same academic year.
