Accept Offer of Admission

Log in to your SIUE Admissions Portal using your application portal credentials and follow these steps: 


•  If you have not reviewed your admission decision, locate the “Status Update” section and select “View Update.”
• After viewing your admission letter, a “Decision Reply Form” will become available.
• Complete your “Decision Reply Form” by selecting “I ACCEPT my offer of admission” and clicking “Submit.”
• You will have the option to share additional information about why you chose SIUE. This step is optional and is not required to finalize your acceptance.

Your Important Next Steps

• Activate Your E-ID: This is the username and password combination that gives you access to numerous SIUE services.
  
  • Visit E-ID Creation and Maintenance and choose "I want to get an E-ID." 
    (You'll need your SIUE ID: (800xxxxxx), which is listed on your admission letter and in your SIUE Admissions Portal.)
  • Follow the steps provided. 
  • Fill in the information and click “Continue.” (If you get an error, try without your middle initial.)
  • An email is sent to your personal email account verifying that you’ve completed the activation process after receiving your E-ID and password on the last page.
  • Read the User Agreement page, select “Agree” and click “Continue.”
  • You’ll get your E-ID and a password on the last page. Make note of both!

Your SIUE email is created as soon as you activate your E-ID. You can access your email by clicking on the envelope icon on the SIUE website footer or by logging in at Outlook.

Your SIUE email account is important! Make a habit of checking your SIUE email regularly.

• Apply for Financial Aid: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available beginning in October and must be completed to qualify for financial aid.
  • We encourage you to submit the FAFSA as soon as possible for full consideration.
    • SIUE’s Federal Student Code is 001759.
    • Watch your SIUE email for notification of your financial aid offer from SIUE beginning in March. You will be able to view and accept in CougarNet.
    • Visit Financial Aid for more information.
• Submit Your Housing Application: You can submit the online housing application beginning in August (spring admits) or September (fall admits).
  • Room assignments and roommate information are shared in early July.
  • New, first-year students who graduated high school within the last 12 months must live on campus. Get more information and submit an exemption request at Residency Requirement.
• Purchase a Meal Plan:  First-year students living on campus must purchase a meal plan. Meal plans are optional for upperclass students living in Evergreen Hall and Cougar Village.
  • Meal plans are optional for off-campus students, and commuter meal plans are also available. 
• Request Final High School/College Transcripts: Official transcripts and score reports must be sent from your school electronically at etranscripts@siue.edu or by mail to:  SIUE Office of Admissions, Campus Box 1047, Edwardsville, IL 62026-1047  
  • First-Year Students: Request your final official high school transcript after you graduate from high school.
    • Be sure to request official transcripts for dual credit and score reports for AP/IB and CLEP once they are available.
  • Transfer Students: Request your official college transcript from each school attended if you haven’t already.
    • If you have fewer than 30 semester hours, request official high school transcripts, too. 
• Send in Immunization Records: All students must submit proof of immunization prior to the first day of class. See what immunizations are required and how to submit them at Immunizations.  
• Learn About Health Insurance: Full-time students must have health insurance coverage. SIUE offers health insurance that is automatically included in your tuition/fee costs. You may opt out of the $2,583 Student Health Insurance Fee by providing proof of coverage before your first tuition payment is due.  The opt-our process begins in June and must be completed each academic year.

Access Your SIUE Orientation Portal and Complete These Important Steps 

Once you've accepted your offer of admission and activated your E-ID, accessing the Orientation Portal is your next step. The Orientation Portal will open in October (spring admits) and February (fall admits). You'll get an email from New Student and Family Programs when your portal is ready, which usually takes 24-48 hours.

• Update Your Personal Information and Share Your Supporter’s Info: Do we have your details correct? Share your supporters’ (parents, guardians, partners, etc.) info, and we’ll add them to the Cougar Family Hub.
• Reserve Your Orientation Date: Orientation sessions for first-year students are held in December-January (spring admits) and June-July (fall admits). Orientation Sessions for transfer students are held in December-January (spring admits) and July-August (fall admits).
• Complete the Orientation Module: This module will help you get to know SIUE. 
• Confirm Your Major: You will be directly admitted into a major, explore a meta major, or start out as completely exploratory. 
• Take Placement Tests: Academic Testing coordinates placement testing to help ensure students register for the appropriate reading, writing, math, chemistry, and physics classes. Placement test results are used by academic advisors along with high school transcript information, ACT/SAT scores, and transfer credits to determine course enrollment. Academic Testing will contact you via your SIUE email.
• Schedule an Advising Appointment: Advising appointments can be scheduled beginning in April and only after you’ve reserved your orientation date and completed placement assessments. We highly encourage you to get advised before your Orientation session.
• Submit Cougar Card Photo: Once you’re registered for classes, you can submit a photo for your Cougar Card, which is your SIUE ID card.
• Join NearPeer: Get connected to the SIUE community and other incoming students. 

Attend Orientation! 

Orientation is a one-day program required for new first-year and transfer students. You’ll discover academic and support resources, join in fun activities, get to know future classmates, and meet faculty and staff from various departments. 

Things To Do After Orientation

• Complete Sexual Violence Prevention Training: This training promotes a safe and supportive campus environment and is required for all students. You will be contacted via your SIUE email with more information after you’ve registered for classes.
• Create Your TimelyCare Account: A virtual health and well-being platform, designed for college students, TimelyCare provides access to 24/7 emotional support, scheduled counseling, health coaching, and more.
• Continue to Check CougarNet and Your SIUE Email: Get into the habit of checking these regularly for important updates and information.
• Confirm Your FAFSA Has Been Processed: Log in to your studentaid.gov account and check the status under the "My Activity" tab.
• Explore Payment Options: Familiarize yourself with payment options and deadlines, including the installment payment plan. Note: The first tuition payment is due before the first day of classes in August (fall admits) or December (spring admits). 

• Purchase a Parking Permit: You can purchase a parking permit online after you have registered for classes. Options are available for residential and commuter students.  
  • For students who don’t have a car or won’t be bringing one to campus: Madison County Transit connects the SIUE campus with the surrounding area.
• Purchase Technology
  • Technology is crucial to success in today’s college environment. Whether it’s late-night studying, group projects, or streaming TV shows, you need a computer that meets your needs. View SIUE’s recommendations for general and major-specific computer specifications from ITS.
• Explore Student Organizations
  • You don’t have to wait until you’re on campus to start thinking about which student organizations you’ll sign up for and the club and intramural sports you'll join as a Cougar. Getting involved will help you settle in, meet new people, and have fun!
• Get Ready for Move-In and Welcome Week!
  • Your life as a Cougar truly begins when you arrive on campus the weekend before classes start. 
    • Find helpful tips and important information about Move-In.
    • Welcome Weekend is the official celebration of the start of your SIUE journey! Learn more about Welcome Weekend.