It’s almost time to board a plane and start your new journey at Illinois State University! We have a lot of resources to help If you need help or get stuck on any of the checklist items, please feel free to use our International Student Orientation Help Ticket Request Form, and one of our team leaders will be happy to assist you.

After you confirm your offer, you will receive an email from intlhouse@ilstu.edu with your unique university record number, once you have this number, go HERE for instructions on how to activate your account.

Once you have activated your student account, go to Office365.IllinoisState.edu and log in using your email and password that you set during account activation. Remember, your e-mail is your ULID + @ilstu.edu.  

Apply for your F-1 visa right away. To start the process, you will need to use the Form I-20 that will be sent to you by

We offer a variety of visa support services through PASS, our Pre-Arrival Student Success Program.

How can PASS help you?

• Attend one of our information and preparatory workshops. We offer different types of virtual webinars and workshops about the F-1 visa process. Check out our events page.   
  
• Register for one-on-one visa interview prep with a PASS advisor.
  
• Read more about the steps to applying for a US F-1 Visa.
  

Living on-campus?

Students who graduated high school less than two years ago are able and required to live on-campus in a residence hall*. The deadline to request housing on-campus is July 1, 2022 - if you request housing after this date, you are not guaranteed on-campus housing, regardless of the housing requirement.

If you are required to live on campus, make sure you pay your deposit. You can do this through INTO Pay – your unique link is on your offer letter – or you can go here.

Want to know your residence hall assignment?

In order to get your housing assignment details you need to submit your flight details through the arrivals portal (step 6 on this checklist). Your residence hall assignment will be sent to you in an email confirming your arrival details.

Living off-campus?

Graduate students and Undergraduate students (who graduate from high school more than 2 years ago) must find off-campus housing.

You should research and sign a lease as soon as their visa is secured - do not wait until you arrive! Housing will be difficult to find as we get closer to the start of the semester, so you must be proactive. You can find resources for housing here.

1. Visit the Illinois State Student Health Services to read about required immunizations and other important health information.
   
2. Next, download and complete the required immunization form.
   
3. Finally, upload or submit this form online here, you may also bring the completed immunization form with you to Orientation if you are unable to submit it online before departure. All immunization records MUST be in English.
   

If you are missing any vaccines listed (with the exception of COVID-19 vaccination requirements) you are able to receive these upon arrival at the university.  

Please note: It is recommended to receive a COVID-19 booster vaccination before departing your home country. Students who are not boosted may be required to quarantine upon their arrival to the university.

Full tuition should be paid before arrival to Illinois State University. For online payment and wire information, Pathway students should follow the link given in their offer letter or click here.

So that we can support your arrival, we need your flight and arrival details. Please go to the arrivals portal to submit your flight details, and indicate if you would like support upon arrival. Airport transfers will be provided at no cost from our local airport, Central Illinois Regional Airport (BMI) from August 12-19 at no extra cost. 

Students arriving to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) will be required to pay and find their own way to campus upon arrival. Students can attend our pre-arrival sessions to learn about options for transportation.

Arriving Early? If you are arriving early and would like to book a hotel, the following website is a list of recommended hotels close to the Illinois State campus.

you will receive and email to your university account inviting you with more information about how to log in and attend a webinar. 

You will receive details on the ALEKS math placement test as part of your pre-arrival communication. It is highly recommended that you take the test prior to arrival. More information is available here.

Need help with the math placement? Contact Matt Schwab at+1 309 438 0861 with questions.

During your travels, if your flight changes or if you have any issues, please contact us on our emergency phone that is available during the approved arrival period. OISP Emergency Phone at 1-309-830-2073

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Contact Us

Write down or add our phone number in your mobile phone: 

+ 1 309 438 4357

Technical Support:https://help.illinoisstate.edu/get-it-help

If you still have any other questions that weren't covered in this guide, please email us at INTOXadmissions@X.edu