Office of Enrollment Management and Academic Services

New Start Program

Admission Requirements

The New Start program is offered to students who wish to return to Illinois State who left in a degree program with less than a 2.0 grade point average (GPA). Students may be considered for readmission through New Start after being away from the University for one full year (for example, a student who last attended the University the fall 2005 term cannot re-enroll through New Start until the spring 2007 term) and only when the requirements of one of the following New Start categories are met: Nontraditional Student, Veteran, or Community College Transfer.

  • Non-Traditional Student Option: Former Illinois State students at least 25 years of age may be considered for readmission through this option after being away for one full year. If they have attended any college (including Illinois State) in the three calendar years preceding re-enrollment at Illinois State, they must have achieved at least a 2.5 GPA for that college work. Transfer credit will be evaluated and appropriately awarded.

  • Veteran Option: Former Illinois State students who complete at least a one-year tour of duty and present a discharge for reasons other than dishonorable, and whose first attendance at a college or university after discharge is at Illinois State, may be considered for readmission through this option.

  • Community College Transfer Option: Former Illinois State students who earned 60 or fewer hours at Illinois State prior to enrolling at a community college and who subsequently earn at least 24 hours after being away for one full year and earn a currently accepted associate’s degree (A.A. or A.S.) from a community college with at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA may be considered for readmission through this option. Transfer credit will be evaluated and appropriately awarded.

Additionally, to be considered for New Start admission, students must submit a statement describing your plan to do well academically at Illinois State University. See Application Process below for more information.

Application Process

In order to be considered for admission through the New Start Program you must follow these steps:

  1. Complete and submit the New Start Application for Admission to Illinois State University, Office of Admissions, Campus Box 2200, Normal IL 61790-2200
  2. Submit official academic transcript(s) from all schools attended since leaving Illinois State
  3. Include a statement describing your potential to do well academically with your application for admission. Your statement will be reviewed along with all other documentation submitted
    • Your statement should indicate your strategy for achieving academic success if readmitted to the University.
    • Your statement should include the steps you have taken to ensure that you can successfully pursue and complete your intended major. In addition, provide a summary of the requirements to be admitted into your intended major.
    • Your statement should be typed, double-spaced, and no more than 500 words

Application Deadlines

All application and supporting documents must be on file in the Office of Admissions by March 1 for summer/fall semester applicants and November 1 for spring semester applicants. All dates are subject to change. Please note the application priority filing period for summer/fall semester begins September 1st and for spring semester begins April 1st.

Contact the Office of Admissions at 1-800-366-2478 for additional information or visit the Web site at www.IllinoisState.edu/apply to download a New Start Application for Admission.