Admission of Special Categories | 2024-2025 Academic Catalog | SIU

Several types of students are given special consideration when seeking admission to the University.

Provisional Admission for Military Students

Active Duty service members may be provisionally admitted to the University for one semester with incomplete academic credentials. A copy of the military ID is needed to verify status for provisional admission and for tuition assessment purposes. Certain academic records may be necessary to receive financial aid. For students to be released from provisional status, they must submit official transcripts from all institutions previously attended, including official high school transcripts (or GED, HiSET, or TASC scores) if the student has earned less than 12 transferable credit hours. Working closely with their academic advisors, students must submit all required academic records and meet all University admission requirements in order to register for further coursework beyond the first semester of attendance.

SIU offers degree-completion programs at the following locations:

Admission of International Students

International students must meet the same academic standards for admission as those required of domestic students. As there is considerable variation between educational systems throughout the world, precise comparative standards are not always available. Therefore, International students are considered for admission based on a holistic review of their former academic work, English proficiency, and evidence of adequate financial resources.

Educational Records

Students must submit official transcripts, certificates, or mark sheets from all secondary schools, colleges and universities attended. Also, students must submit the official results of any national secondary school examinations that are required. If you completed high school in the U.S.A. or in an American high school system, submit scores from the American College Test (ACT) or the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). Other applicants may submit SAT scores for admission consideration, but they are not required to do so.

The access codes for the West African School Certificate should be submitted with the application. This will allow us to process the application quickly.

The submission of unofficial records (those that do not bear the original signature of the institution’s representative), will delay the processing of your admission. The Registrar, Headmaster, or Dean of the institution issuing the documents must sign all credentials. Photocopies are acceptable only if they bear the institution’s original seal and the original signature of the school official certifying the documents. Transcripts and other records attested as certified by a notary public or solicitor (non-institutional official) are not being accepted as official.

Financial Requirements

Beginning Fall 2013 semester, international students must have assured financial resources of approximately $40,000 (U.S. dollars) for the academic year of study at SIU. The cost of attendance at SIU Carbondale is subject to change without notice. Please refer to the International Admissions Application for details.

English Competency

Students must also demonstrate English competency before enrolling in SIU Carbondale university courses. TOEFL scores are required of all International Students and those who have acquired immigrant status. Any of the following options will qualify you for exemption from our Center for English as a Second Language TOEFL examination:

List of TOEFL Exemptions

Two face-to-face English composition classes taken in the U.S. at the college level with a grade of A or B

International freshmen applicants may demonstrate English proficiency by meeting the SAT or ACT requirements for admission of freshmen.

An administrative service fee of $100 per student per semester, including summer session, will be charged to sponsoring agencies which enroll international students.

International students interested in making application to Southern Illinois University Carbondale should address their inquiries to Center for International Education, Mail Code 4333, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, Illinois 62901. The undergraduate international admission application can be submitted electronically by linking to cie.siu.edu.

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is authorized under Federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students.

Admission of Former Students

Students who remain in good standing may interrupt their studies for up to two years and still be considered as continuing students who are eligible for registration without the need for readmission. Otherwise, former students wishing to resume their studies will need to go through the readmission process.

Such students who have attended other institutions since their previous enrollment at Southern Illinois University Carbondale must submit an official transcript from each institution before being considered for readmission. An overall C average (2.0 on 4.0 scale) as calculated according to SIU grading policies and procedures and based on all post-secondary institutions attended since previous SIU enrollment is required for readmission consideration.

Students who were suspended for scholastic or disciplinary reasons during their previous enrollment at the University must be approved for readmission by the appropriate academic dean or the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities before they can be readmitted to the University. Students with less than a C average must be approved for readmission by an academic dean if they are entering an academic unit other than the one in which they were previously enrolled.

It is advisable for former students to initiate the readmission process with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions early. This permits students to complete any special requirements that may be imposed upon them. (See Scholastic Probation, Academic Renewal Program for Former Students, and Scholastic Suspension elsewhere in this catalog for further information.)

Academic Renewal Program for Former Students

The Academic Renewal Program is designed to allow some former Southern Illinois University Carbondale students, who had academic difficulty in their initial enrollment, an opportunity to get off probation faster and to graduate in a timely manner. The program permits eligible students to establish a new grade point average calculated from their first semester of readmission.

Program Eligibility Requirements

Former Southern Illinois University Carbondale students who meet one of the following qualifications may apply for entrance to the Academic Renewal Program.

1. Adult re-entering students who previously earned at Southern Illinois University Carbondale less than a 2.0 grade point average and have since had at least three calendar years interruption following their last enrolled term at SIU Carbondale. Applicants who have attended any post-secondary institution, college, or university within the immediate three years prior to re-entering Southern Illinois University Carbondale in the Academic Renewal Program, must have earned a 2.0 cumulative grade point average.
2. Veterans who have completed at least one year of active military service after having previously earned at Southern Illinois University Carbondale less than a 2.0 grade point average. Southern Illinois University Carbondale must be the first institution attended since discharge or separation.
3. Community college associate degree graduates who have previously earned from SIU Carbondale a grade point average below 2.0 prior to completing an associate degree from a regionally accredited institution. SIU must be the first institution attended since earning the associate degree.

Application/Admission Guidelines and Academic Regulations

1. A former Southern Illinois University Carbondale student must meet the University readmission requirements at the time of readmission before applying for the Academic Renewal Program.
2. The Academic Renewal Program application must be submitted before completing the first semester of attendance after being readmitted to the University. The application should be submitted soon after the readmission decision is granted.
3. A student can be admitted to Academic Renewal only once. Students who are suspended for scholastic reasons while enrolled in Academic Renewal cannot be readmitted to this program.
4. Teacher Education Programs in the School of Education as well as those majors in other colleges in which a student intends to pursue a Teacher Education Program are not available to students in the Academic Renewal Program.
5. Students readmitted through the Academic Renewal Program will have Academic Renewal indicated on their transcripts with an appropriate explanation of the program included in the transcript explanation sheet, which is attached to all transcripts.
6. A new Southern Illinois University Carbondale grade point average will be calculated from the first term of readmission through the Academic Renewal Program.
7. The new Southern Illinois University Carbondale grade point average will apply only to scholastic retention, and the grade point average required for graduation from the University. All grades earned at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, including all work taken prior to admittance to the Academic Renewal Program, will be used in the calculation of student classification, major program grade point average, collegiate unit requirements, graduation honors, and total credit hours completed.
8. Previously earned work at Southern Illinois University Carbondale will remain on the student’s official record and passing work may be used to satisfy degree requirements.
9. Students readmitted through the Academic Renewal Program may not use the University’s forgiveness policy to calculate another grade point average for graduation purposes.

To be eligible for graduation, a student readmitted through the Academic Renewal Program must earn at least 30 additional credit hours at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. An Academic Renewal student who changes majors to a program that does not participate in Academic Renewal, (see number 4) will have their previous SIU grade point average calculated in all future grade point averages.

Admission of Veterans and Active-Duty Service Members

Veterans and Active-Duty service members seeking admission/re-admission to the University are admitted in good standing regardless of their previous academic record provided that any additional post-secondary education attempted after active duty has been completed with a grade point average of C (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) quality or better.

Active-Duty service members seeking re-admission are admitted with the same academic status and into the same program to which the student was last enrolled or, if that exact program is no longer offered, the program that is most similar to that program, unless the student selects a different program. The student must follow the Department of Defense guidelines for notification of military service and notification of intent to return to school by contacting the Undergraduate Admissions office.

Veterans and Active-Duty service members are required to submit all required admission credentials before their applications can be processed. This may include high school transcripts, GED scores, HiSET scores, or Test Assessing Secondary Completion scores, and official transcripts from each college or university previously attended. Official transcripts from the previously attended institutions must not be more than thirty days old. In order to be admitted under the veteran’s policy, one must have served on active duty and present a copy of discharge or separation papers (DD 214-copy 4) or a copy of the military ID to the Undergraduate Admissions office.* There is a $40 non-refundable fee, which must accompany the Application for Undergraduate Admission.

Military personnel on active-duty in any branch of the United States military are expected to meet the same admission requirements as a veteran, but may qualify for provisional admission for active-duty service members (see Provisional Admission for Military Students). Students in military programs are admitted directly into the degree program in which they are enrolling.

*While it is true that photocopying your military ID card is generally prohibited by Title 18, U.S. Code Part I, Chapter 33, Section 701, there is an exception for government agencies. In our attempt to verify your veteran status, the University falls under the authorized photocopying example of “administering other military-related benefits to eligible beneficiaries.” Therefore, you are permitted to provide a photocopy of your military ID card to us for this purpose.

Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018

As part of the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018, section 3679 of title 38, United States Code, SIU will:

1. allow any covered individual to attend or participate in the course of education during the period beginning on the date in which the individual provides to SIU a certificate of eligibility* for entitlement to educational assistance under chapter 31 or 33 and ending on the earlier of the following dates:
   1. The date on which payment from VA is made to the institution.
   2. 90 days after the date the institution certified tuition and fees following the receipt of the certificate of eligibility.
2. not impose any penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities, or the requirement that a covered individual borrow additional funds, on any covered individual because of the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement funding from VA under chapter 31 or 33.

In addition to the policy above, SIU Extended Campus requires military personnel to complete a Benefit Certification form (Vet Info Sheet) each semester that they want to utilize their benefits (VA, TA, IVG, ING).

*A certificate of eligibility can also include a Statement of Benefits obtained from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) website e-Benefits, or a VAF 28-1905 form for chapter 31 authorization purposes.

Admission of Students as Unclassified

Individuals who wish to take classes at SIU Carbondale but who do not intend to earn a degree at this time can be considered for admission as an unclassified student. To be eligible, the student must have graduated from a recognized high school or have passed a high school equivalency test (GED, HiSET, or Test Assessing Secondary Completion). Students in this category are non-degree-seeking and are not required to submit records normally required for the admission to a degree program. Students in this category may take up to a total of twenty-six credit hours before they are required to provide all of their academic records. Students in this category are not ordinarily eligible for any financial aid program. There is a $40 non-refundable fee that must accompany this application. This fee is not required of students enrolling solely in courses specifically designated as Distance Education.

Senior Citizen Courses Act

Students admitted under the Senior Citizen Courses Act may be considered for admission as unclassified non-degree students without submitting records required for admission to a degree program. Those seeking admission to a degree program must meet all University admission policies. For further information refer to Financial Aid.

Admission of High School Students for Concurrent Enrollment

Exceptionally capable high school students that have completed their freshman year in high school and are recommended in writing by their high school principal may be approved for admission by the Director of Undergraduate Admissions. Enrollment in some University courses may be subject to program approval. Students approved for admission to this program will be permitted to enroll in University courses during the summer and concurrently with their high school work during the regular school year. Sophomores and juniors may register for one course and seniors may enroll for one and possibly two courses depending on their high school schedules. There is a $40 non-refundable fee, which must accompany the application. The concurrent enrollment program is an acceleration and enrichment experience for academically capable students. To participate in the program, students must have achieved an overall B grade point average (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) in high school, submit a completed Request for Concurrent Enrollment of High School Students form, and submit high school transcripts. admissions.siu.edu/apply/high-school/high-school-concurrent.php

The University courses to be taken in this program should be in subject areas in which a high school does not offer courses or in subject areas in which the student has completed all of the courses the high school can offer. When a high school principal recommends a specific course or courses to be taken, an academic advisor will assist the student in arranging such a schedule.

It is assumed that high school principals or guidance counselors who recommend students for this program will consider a student’s aptitude for completing college work and a student’s ability to adjust socially to the campus community.

Admission of Transient Students

Students who are attending another collegiate institution and want to enroll for one semester must submit an undergraduate admission application. They must also submit documentation indicating they have an overall C average and are eligible to continue their enrollment at the last institution attended. This can be a student’s most recent transcript or grade report. Transient students who request to continue their enrollment for subsequent semesters must submit all documents required for admission and meet the University’s current admission policies. There is a $40 non-refundable fee, which must accompany the application.