YOU ARE IN CONGRATULATIONS,
Welcome to the Mustang Family! WWW.SMSU.EDU
DISCOVER. ENGAGE. LEAD.
SMSU WELCOME TO
Welcome to the Mustang Family. Congratulations on your acceptance to Southwest Minnesota State University! You are joining a campus that is committed to your success and will help you achieve your goals. This guide will provide you with your “Next Steps” as you continue on your journey to becoming a Mustang. First thing’s first. If you haven’t already, activate your StarID by follwing the simple steps on page 6!
NEW STUDENT
CHECKLIST
#1. Apply for housing
#5. Attend an Admitted Student Day
#2. Choose your meal plan
#6. Submit required health forms
#3. Making college affordable
#7. Submit your final transcript(s)
#4. Apply for scholarships
#8. Register for classes (back page)
Access the checklist online:
www.SMSU.edu/admitted 1
SMSU.EDU/ADMITTED
S T E P 1 – A P P LY F O R
HOUSING
HOUSING OPTIONS TRADITIONAL HOUSING Double Designed Single Double as Single SWEETLAND HALL Double Designed Single
You can apply starting October 1! The sooner
you submit your Housing Application, the better! Choose the housing option that best suits you. Apply online at www.SMSU.edu/go/residencelife, and click on “Housing Contract and Application.”
FOUNDATION RESIDENCE APTS. Double Dining Dollars are required The Foundation Residence Apartments are available for upperclassmen. Contact Residence Life with any questions – 507-537-6136.
IMPORTANT HOUSING DATES Oct. 1: Housing Application Opens April 3: Room & Meal Plan Placement Begins (priority based upon date housing application was completed)
Why #LiveLifeOn@SMSU? • Meet new friends • Engage in campus activities
Aug. 19: Move-In Day
www.SMSU.edu/go/NewResidents
• Connected to campus resources • Build your support network • Have fun • Be part of a community
Find more information at: www.SMSU.edu/go/ ResidenceLife 2
SMSU.EDU/ADMITTED
STEP 2 – CHOOSE YOUR
MEAL PLAN
SMSU Campus Dining. Choose a meal Living on campus. You will plan that best fits your needs and then eat your heart out at the SMSU Food Hall, State Street Subs, the C-Store and the Coffee House! Every day you will have plenty of options to get the energy you need to attack the day!
choose your meal plan while filling out your housing application. Commuting to campus. Go to the Mustang Card Center on campus to select and purchase your meal plan.
MEAL PLAN OPTIONS Semester Rates 14 Meals per week with $150 in Dining Dollars
$1,576
10 Meals per week with $400 in Dining Dollars
$1,655
19 Meals per week with $50 in Dining Dollars
$1,840
Meal plans are required for students living on campus. Additional meal plans are available for off-campus and commuting students.
STEP 3 – MAKING COLLEGE
AFFORDABLE
E S T I M AT ED CO ST 2 0 2 0-2 1 Tuition $7,722* Fees $1,221 Room & Board $8,892 Total $17,835
Submit the FAFSA. Complete the FAFSA, if you
SMSU offers “Banded Tuition” which means you can take between12-18 credits and your tuition cost doesn’t change! You only pay the 12 credit rate!
haven’t already. Starting October 1, go to fafsa.gov, put in our SMSU FAFSA CODE OF 002375, and get it done!
The room & board cost is based on a double occupancy room with a roommate, and 14 meals per week.
With just a few exceptions, nearly everyone at SMSU qualifies for in-state, tuition, so if you’re from another state or another country, you’re a winner when it comes to the cost of your college education.
*Reciprocity rates may apply to students from ND, SD, IA, WI, MSEP States and Manitoba for the upcoming academic year. See the website for the most up-to-date information on costs.
Types of Aid.
• Grants (Federal and State) • Work Study • Federal Education Loans
www.SMSU.edu/go/financialaid 3
SMSU.EDU/ADMITTED
S T E P 4 – A P P LY F O R
SCHOLARSHIPS
SMSU offers a wide variety of scholarship opportunities. You’ve worked hard now let us reward
you! SMSU offers a robust merit-based scholarship program to help lower the cost of attendance. Give yourself the best oppportunity to receive a scholarship by completing the SMSU Scholarship Application.
• Go to www.SMSU.edu/scholarships • Select the appropriate application • Login with your StarID & password • Complete the “General Scholarship Application”
S T E P 5 – AT T E N D
ADMITTED STUDENT DAY
Come to Admitted Student Day. These programs
are exclusive to students who have been admitted to SMSU. Join other #FutureMustangs and discover the opportunities that await you at SMSU!
Admitted Student Days February 22, 2021 February 26, 2021
Explore what academic life is like. Learn more about a degree from SMSU by attending an Admitted Student Day program. See how your SMSU education prepares you for your career by providing you with:
• Content knowledge within your major • Hands-on, engaging learning opportunities • Employable skills like communication, problem solving, and critical thinking • Internship opportunities Students who attend have the opportunity to select a registration date early! Reserve your spot today at:
www.SMSU.edu/go/admitday 4
SMSU.EDU/ADMITTED
STEP 6 – SUBMIT REQUIRED
HEALTH FORMS
Stop in to Health Services. We provide free and
confidential services, including medical evaluations, for registered students. There is a small fee for laboratory tests, certain medications, supplies, and sports physicals. We also assist you with off-campus referrals as necessary. In the interest of health and wellness for all SMSU students, staff and faculty, we actively promote an alcohol, tobacco and vapor free environment. If you are enrolled in classes during a full academic term (semester) or living in campus housing you will be required to be in compliance with the Minnesota College Immunization Law (Minn Stat 135A.14). We do not provide immunizations. The law requires that you submit this information within 45 days of the beginning of the term in order to remain enrolled, so get your forms filled out and turned in as soon as possible!
www.smsu.edu/go/healthservices S T E P 7 – S U B M I T Y O U R F I NA L
TRANSCRIPTS All transcripts can be sent to: SMSU Admission 1501 State Street Marshall, MN 56258 or Email it to: Admission@smsu.edu
Your final official transcript needs to be submitted prior to the start of the semester you are applying for.
Freshmen:
• Contact your High School • Request your final official transcript to be sent to SMSU
Transfer:
• Minnesota State transcripts can be pulled electronically at no cost to you • Non-Minnesota State transcripts must be requested and sent to us • An evaluation of your credits will be done once all official transcripts are received Please note, scholarships will not be applied until final official transcripts are received. Contact the Office of Admission with any questions!
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MOBILE MUSTANGS GONE
Download the SMSU Mustangs app today!
Your Direct Line to SMSU. Download our mobile app to discover and engage with us! Go to the Apple Store or Google Play store and search “SMSU Mustangs” today! You can connect with us and check items off your list right in the app!
YOUR STARID
Setting up StarID. Your StarID is important as it provides access to many online forms and accounts...including your SMSU email. If you haven’t already created your StarID and password, go to: starid.minnstate.edu
E-services@SMSU. Your E-Services account at SMSU provides you with access to: • Applying for housing • Checking financial aid • Registering for classes • Grades & transcripts Once you’ve activated your StarID, access your E-Services by visiting www.SMSU.edu and click on the top left menu option.
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CLASSES STEP 8 – REGISTER FOR
You’re almost there. We encourage all new students to attend a registration program. These important programs will provide you with the help and guidance to create your class schedule, get your SMSU ID, connect with other Mustangs and much more! Invitations will be sent in March, but mark your calendar today to save your date!
FOR SPRING SEMESTER 2021
FOR FALL SEMESTER 2021
NEW STUDENT REGISTRATION DAYS
PRIORITY REGISTRATION
Freshmen & Transfer Students December 11, 2020 / January 8
Transfer Students - April 9 Freshmen Students - April 12 / 16 / 19 / 23
FIRST DAY OF CLASS
ADDITIONAL NEW STUDENT REGISTRATION DAYS
January 11
June 21 / July 19 / August 18
MOVE-IN DAY August 19
GOLD RUSH DAYS August 19-22
FIRST DAY OF CLASS August 23
1 5 0 1 S TAT E S T R E E T, M A R S H A L L , M I N N E S OTA 5 6258 507.537.6286 • 800.642.0684 A D M I S S I O N @ S M S U. E D U • S M S U. E D U
Southwest Minnesota State University, A member of Minnesota State Southwest Minnesota State University, A member of Minnesota State Southwest Minnesota State University is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, the Minnesota Board of Teaching, the Council on Social Work Education, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, and The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.