New Students

Welcome Back to SIUE!

Congratulations on your decision to return to college! As a returning student, your admission is valid only for the term indicated in your admission letter. If you are unable to attend this term and wish to be considered for a future term, please submit a new application. You may do this for two additional consecutive terms before another application fee will be required.

Eligible students are readmitted into the class and major (if available) under which they left. If you have indicated a different proposed major on your application for readmission, you have been readmitted as an undeclared major. You will have the opportunity to discuss the requirements for declaring your major during your academic advising appointment.

Returning Students Next Steps Checklist

Apply and be admitted — Congratulations!

• Activate your Student Identification Number - This is a nine-digit number that begins with 800 and is included in your admission letter. Your Student Identification Number (sometimes referred to as your Banner ID number) is important in assisting you as you enroll at SIUE. 
  1. Access CougarNet
  2. Enter your Student Identification Number
  3. Enter your temporary PIN, which is your birth date, in the following format: MMDDYY
  4. You will be prompted to change your PIN
  5. Once you have changed your PIN, your Student Identification Number will be active

• Obtain your e-ID (used for email and other campus accounts)

• Check your SIUE email account regularly. This is especially important as financial aid, payment information and updates will be sent to your SIUE email.
• Explore CougarNet—the secure way to manage your personal, academic and financial aid information.
• If you have college credit from regionally accredited institutions other than SIUE:
  • You must request your final official college transcripts reflecting all grades and any degrees earned to:
    • SIUE Office of Admissions
      Box 1047
      Edwardsville, IL 62026-1047
    • Official transcripts may be submitted through various electronic transcript services and can also be sent to [email protected] directly from the institution.
    • Transcripts received from a student will not be considered official. Intentional nondisclosure of transfer credit may result in dismissal from the University.
  • Check CougarNet for details regarding your credit transferring to SIUE. The Transfer Center will evaluate credit submitted on official transcripts. If you are pursuing a second bachelor’s degree, your general education requirements are considered complete, and individual courses will not be evaluated.
• Register for classes through CougarNet following your advising appointment. Registration begins in March for summer/fall enrollment and in October for spring enrollment. Undeclared majors should contact the Office of Academic Advising at 618-650-3701 to schedule an appointment. Declared majors should contact the major department for an advising appointment.
• Apply for financial aid as soon as possible when the FAFSA launches in late December (SIUE FAFSA code: 001759). Also, don't forget to check out our scholarships.
• After registering for classes, obtain your Cougar Card at the Service Center (Rendleman Hall, Room 1309).
• Students who can provide sufficient proof of acceptable health coverage should submit a waiver request.
• After registering for classes, purchase an SIUE parking permit at Parking Services (Rendleman Hall, Room 1113).
• Connect with the Office of Accessible Campus Community and Equitable Student Support (ACCESS) to request reasonable curricular/co-curricular accommodations.
• After registering for classes, complete Sexual Violence Awareness Training.
  • As an incoming SIUE student, you are required to complete Sexual Violence Awareness Training in order to register for future terms.
  • Failure to complete Sexual Violence Awareness Training prior to registering for your next term, will place a hold on your student account and keep you from registering for a future term.
• If you have any questions, contact the Office of Admissions at 618-650‑3705 or [email protected].