Jackson State University® is an environment that inspires you to grow, learn, and reach beyond the ordinary. This is a “home away from home” where every student can find their place. Our team in Undergraduate Admissions and Recruitment is committed to assisting prospective students and their families through the acceptance and enrollment process by providing essential information to help students successfully transition into the university. This webpage will provide you with the necessary information to guide your educational goals.
Jackson State University is test optional for the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 academic years
Step 1: Visit Our Campus
Are you ready to visit our beautiful Jackson, MS campus? Join us for a tour and explore life at Jackson State. Your visit will consist of a brief orientation session and a 1½ hour walking tour. Tours are conducted by recruitment office staff and student ambassadors. During our tour, prospective students and visitors learn about undergraduate admission requirements, degree options, housing, student life and the legacy of the university. You’ll get a glimpse of some notable campus buildings including our JSU Student Center, residential facilities, recreation center and library.
To schedule a campus visit, please click here
Step 2: Get Admitted to JSU
1. Submit your Application for admission
Please allow at least 7-10 business days from the receipt of all required documents for an admission decision. However, international students are encouraged to apply four (4) months prior to the intended semester of enrollment to accommodate the completion of all documents (i.e. I-20).
2. Submit required documents:
First-time freshmen:
Please DO NOT submit transcripts, certificates or other documents. Only submit the documents listed below.
- – International transcripts must be professionally evaluated in order to complete your application. All transcript evaluations must include a course by course evaluation with a grade assigned to each course, cumulative equivalent grade point average, degree equivalent, and translation into English, if necessary. We recommend that applicants use the following services: World Education Services (WES), Josef Silny & Associates, Inc., Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), International Education Evaluations, Inc. (IEE) and SpanTran Credential Evaluation service.
These companies listed above are endorsed by NAFSA: The Association of International Educators. Choosing another evaluation service, or sending transcript evaluations that do not contain the requirements listed above, may delay the application process.
Transfer students:
- – International transcripts must be professionally evaluated in order to complete your application. All transcript evaluations must include a course by course evaluation with a grade assigned to each course, cumulative equivalent grade point average, degree equivalent, and translation into English, if necessary. We recommend that applicants use the following services: World Education Services (WES), Josef Silny & Associates, Inc., Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), International Education Evaluations, Inc. (IEE) and SpanTran Credential Evaluation service.
These companies listed above are endorsed by NAFSA: The Association of International Educators. Choosing another evaluation service, or sending transcript evaluations that do not contain the requirements listed above, may delay the application process.
3. Proof of English Proficiency:
TOEFL IBT 69 or TOEFL CBT 194 or TOEFL PBT 525
The following are exempt from the English Proficiency Requirement:
- – Non-citizens graduating from a high school in the United States
- – Applicants transferring from a college in the United States and have the 30 required transfer hours.
- – English speaking countries as defined by JSU Global (i.e. United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, Nigeria, Ghana, and certain Caribbean Islands.) Click here to see list of countries.
- – Students who successfully complete JSU’s English as a Second Language program.
4. Certified Declaration of Financial Support must be submitted to show sufficient funds to cover expenses for one academic year.
Please submit to JSU Global after admittance to the university.
JSU Global
1400 J.R. Lynch Street
P.O. Box 17103
Jackson, MS 39217
601-979-1611
Step 3: Send Immunization Record
All students born after December 1956 who plan to attend classes on one of our campuses must submit proof of immunization compliance for measles, mumps, and rubella. Online students are exempt.
In addition to the immunization requirement, international students are required to have two screening tests for tuberculosis exposure once arriving to the country: A IGRA blood test and a chest X ray. These tests must be performed in the United States not more than six weeks before the start of classes. Test performed outside of the United States cannot be accepted.
A copy of your immunization record (or your state’s immunization compliance form) can be submitted directly to the JSU Health Center in one of the following ways:
FAX: 601-979-9228
EMAIL: healthservices@jsums.edu
For more information on JSU’s health screening requirements, visit the JSU Health Center’s webpage at www.jsums.edu/healthservices
Contact the Health Center at 601-979-2260 for further information.
Step 4: Apply for Campus Housing
Housing applications are available at www.jsums.edu/housing. The office is located in Campbell College Suites-North and the contact number for Housing is (601) 979-2326 or (601) 979-0596.
How to Apply
Both new and returning students will access the new housing application by following the steps below:
- Visit your JSU PAWS account.
- Enter your J# (ex. J00000000) and NET ID Password.
- Select the “Student” tab at the top of page. Then, select the “Housing” link.
- After selecting the “Housing” link, you will select, “THD: JSU Housing Self-Service.”
- After selecting “THD: JSU Housing Self-Service,” you will be directed to the THD Housing Self-Service Portal where you will need to enter your login information.
- Your login information will be as follows:
Username: one\J# (ex. one\J00000000) | Password: NetID (Must set-up in your PAWS account) - You will be directed to your own personal Student Housing Portal. Once there, you will select “Apps & Forms,” then select the housing application for your classification and proper term.
- You will be directed to agree to the “Terms and Conditions” by signing your name and clicking “Continue.”
- After clicking “Continue,” you will proceed to answer all questions.
- You will be then directed to pay your specified housing fee, $100 non-refundable housing application fee (New and Transfer Students) or $75 room reservation fee (Returning Students).
- Your final step will be paying your fee. Please note that your housing application will not be processed without receiving payment.
Step 5: New Student Orientation/Register for Classes
If you are a traditional readmit student taking a class online or on campus, you will need to complete New Student Orientation before registering for classes. For more information regarding New Student Orientation, please visit https://www.jsums.edu/orientation/. If you will be enrolled in an online program, please contact JSUOnline at (601) 979-0779.
Step 6: Complete Registration or Set Up Payment
“Completing Registration” is the phrase used to describe the Business Office acknowledgement or verification of how fees are to be paid for the current semester. Once this information is "officially communicated" to the Business Office, we will “accept” the charges and payments for the current semester which in turn protects the student’s classes from being purged.
There are two ways to “officially communicate” with the Office of Financial Services
1. The first and most popular way is via the Automatic Registration Complete process. Once a student has selected his or her classes (along with housing and meal plan), the system will review all eligible accepted financial aid and if the remaining balance is less than $200, the students’ registration will be completed automatically.
2. The second way to “officially communicate” is to enroll in the online payment plan. The payment plan is based on the balance due being divided into four (4) installments. The initial installment plus $100 (the deferment fee) is required to complete registration. The remaining three (3) installments are due in 30-day increments. Late fees of $70 begins on the 1st day of class.
Students can verify their status by signing into their JSU PAWS account and following the steps below
1. Select the “Student” tab.
2. Select “Registration”
3. Select “Fall Registration Service”
4. Select “Check Registration Status”
5. If registration is complete a congratulatory message will be displayed.
6. If not, a message will display instructing you to your next required step.
Step 7: Get your Student Identification
To enhance the safety and security of the campus community, faculty, staff and students are required to obtain a University issued photo ID card. The University mandates that all faculty, staff, and students display his/her ID card visibly at all times while on campus. First-year students are able to obtain their ID after registration is complete (Step 8).
Step 8: Move-in-Day
Hundreds of JSU Students, faculty, staff, and alumni volunteer to help the newest Jacksonians and their parents move into the residence halls. Please call (601) 979-4302 for more information on Move-In Day.
Step 9: Welcome Week Experience
Welcome Week is a seven-day program that assists first-year students with the academic and social transition to college life. Building on Jackson State University’s foundation, first-year students will connect with other students, faculty, and staff. All first-year students are expected to attend Fall Orientation/Welcome Week Activities. The week is a collaborative effort among the many departments under Student Success. For more information, please call (601) 979-1179.
Priority Deadlines: Traditional Students
Fall semester – August 24th
Spring semester – January 11th
First summer session – May 27th
Second summer session – June 27th
Deadlines: JSUOnline Students
Spring – 1st 8 Weeks – January 7th
Spring – 2nd 8 Weeks – March 4th
Summer – May 15th
Fall – 1st 8 Weeks – August 20th
Fall – 2nd 8 Weeks – October 11th
Student Services
Veterans and Military Center | Disability Services & ADA Compliance | The Latasha Norman Center for Counseling Services
Related Links
Admissions Policies | Academic Calendar | Credit By Examination | Net Price Calculator | Tuition and Fees | Mississippi In-State Residency Status Change Application |Non-Degree Form | In-house Transcript Retrieval Form | Activate JSU Email and NetID
Financial Aid | Registrar | Recruitment | JSUOnline | Scholarships
Jackson State University | Undergraduate Admissions | P.O. Box 17330 | Jackson, MS 39217 | 1-866-843-3578.