New Start Program

The New Start program is offered to students who wish to return to Illinois State after being away for a minimum of one year and who left with less than a 2.0 grade point average.

New Start offers students many benefits upon their return. Most significantly, it allows students to begin a new cumulative grade point average upon readmission into the University. To discuss your eligibility to return via the New Start program, contact University College at (309) 438-3217.

New Start Deadlines

Enrollment Term Priority Filing Period Application Deadline Supporting Document Deadline
Spring April 1 - August 1 November 1 November 1
Summer or Fall September 1 - January 1 May 1 June 1

Requirements

Students may be considered for readmission through New Start if they left Illinois State with less than a 2.0 GPA, have been away from the University for one full year (for example, a student who last attended the University the spring 2017 term cannot re-enroll through New Start until the fall 2018 term), and meet the requirements of one of the following New Start categories:

  • Nontraditional Student
  • Veteran
  • Community College Transfer

Nontraditional Student

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 their time at Illinois State) in the three calendar years preceding re-enrollment at Illinois State, they must have achieved at least a cumulative 2.5 GPA for that college work. Transfer credit will be evaluated and appropriately awarded.

Veteran

Former Illinois State students who complete at least a one-year tour of duty since leaving Illinois State and who present a discharge for reasons other than dishonorable and who haven’t attended another college or university between discharge and application for readmission to Illinois State may be considered for readmission through this option.

Community College Transfer

Former Illinois State students who earned 60 or fewer hours at Illinois State prior to enrolling at a community college may be considered for readmission through this option. To qualify as a community college transfer candidate for the New Start program, you must have earned at least 24 hours after being away for one full year, earned a currently accepted associate’s degree (A.A. or A.S.) from a community college, and have at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA since leaving Illinois State. Students pursuing this option should also meet the  transfer admission requirements  for their intended major. Transfer credit will be evaluated and appropriately awarded.

For more information on the three categories that qualify for the New Start program, please see the Undergraduate Catalog.

Application Process

To discuss your eligibility to return via the New Start Program, contact University College at (309) 438-3217.

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

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

Program Conditions

As a student returning to Illinois State via the New Start program, please be aware of the following conditions of the program.

Advisement

If you are an undeclared student, you are advised by University College Academic Advisement in Fell Hall 340, (309) 438-7604. If you have a declared major, contact your major department/school for advisement. Refer to your official letter of Admissions to verify your major.

Grade Point Average

Upon your return to Illinois State, your cumulative grade point average will be recalculated using all grades earned from your point of reentry. The New Start option impacts only your cumulative grade point average and does not change your major and/or minor grade point average. Previous credits earned are still applied toward your degree requirements and will be posted on your transcript. Additionally, all grades earned at Illinois State, including those earned prior to New Start admission, will be used in determining eligibility for graduation honors.

Major

New Start applicants may be considered for admission directly into a major, if space in the major is available and if all major admission requirements are met at the time of enrollment. If this criterion is not met, New Start students will be admitted as an undeclared student. Refer to your official letter of Admissions to verify your major.

Academic Status

As a New Start student, you are on academic probation until you reestablish a cumulative grade point average that is above a 2.0/4.0. All New Start students are required to participate in Project Success. If your cumulative grade point average drops below a 2.0/4.0 at any point in your academic future at Illinois State, you will be dismissed from the University. Please be aware that you may only exercise the New Start option one time.

Course Load

As a student on academic probation, it is strongly recommended that you discuss your course load with your academic advisor. Additionally, you are encouraged to consider your ability to balance your course load with other obligations (i.e. work schedule, family, etc.) to ensure your personal academic success. Therefore, it is strongly suggested to enroll in no more than 14 credit hours.

Catalog Year

You will follow the Undergraduate Catalog in effect at the time you are returning to the University as a New Start student.

Graduation Hours

To be eligible for graduation, you must earn at least 30 semester hours at Illinois State after returning as a New Start student. You will need to discuss graduation requirements with your advisor.