FRESHMAN

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

GET ADMITTED TO JSU

Applying to Jackson State University takes three (3) easy steps:

1. Submit an online application at www.jsums.edu by clicking the “Apply” link on the homepage.
2. Request your high school to send an official transcript to Undergraduate Admissions.
3. Request official ACT or SAT scores be sent to Undergraduate Admissions. We suggest these scores come directly from ACT or SAT. Jackson State University’s college code for ACT is 2204 and the college code for SAT is 1341.

Please allow at least 7-10 business days from the receipt of all required documents for an admission decision.

HOW TO SUBMIT DOCUMENTS:

Test Scores (JSU Accepts Super scores from ACT or SAT)

1. The preferred method is directly from ACT or SAT. JSU’s code for ACT is 2204 and the code for SAT is 1341.
2. A pdf version is acceptable through mail or by emailing transcripts@jsums.edu.

ACT scores printed on the transcript are NOT considered official. Please submit official copy.

Official Transcript

The official transcript may be:

1. Sent electronically via Parchment web account or Clearinghouse (email for clearinghouse is futuretigers@jsums.edu). If sending via any other method, please call 601-979-6361 for further instructions.
2. Mailed in school envelope.
3. Hand-delivered in a sealed envelope.
4. Emailed directly from the high school counselor or other school administrator from school email address (send to transcripts@jsums.edu)

Mailing Address:

Jackson State University
Undergraduate Admissions
P.O. Box 17330
Jackson, MS 39217
www.jsums.edu/admissions

Step 3. Complete the FAFSA

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.ed.gov and request the results be forwarded to the Financial Aid Office at Jackson State University (JSU Code 002410). You may contact the Financial Aid Office at 1-866-THEE-JSU (866-843-3578) to check the status of your financial aid award.

1. Go to www.jsums.edu and click on P.A.W.S.
2. Log in using your User ID (J Number) and PIN.
3. Click “Financial Aid”.
4. Click “Award” and select the appropriate aid year.
5. If you have a direct loan offer, you must accept the loan before funds can be disbursed to your student account.
6. You must also complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Entrance Counseling at https://studentaid.gov/. Your results will be electronically sent to Jackson State University.

To Check for Missing and/or Unsatisfied Requirements:

1. Go to www.jsums.edu and click on JSU P.A.W.S.
2. Login using your User ID and PIN
3. Click on Financial Aid
4. Click on Eligibility Requirements and select Aid Year
5. Click Submit
6. Review Student Requirements, Holds, Academic Progress,
7. If you have Unsatisfied Requirements, please submit documents to the Financial Aid Office Immediately.

To Accept Award Offer:

1. Go to www.jsums.edu and click on JSU P.A.W.S.
2. Login using your User ID and PIN
3. Click on Financial Aid
4. Click “Award”
5. Click “Award for Aid Year”
6. Click “Accept Award Offer” tab and follow the instructions

Step 4: Apply for Scholarships

1. First-Time Freshman (FTF) Merit Scholarships

• Students must be admitted to the university to apply for scholarships.
• FTF scholarships are based on College Preparatory Curriculum and ACT/SAT Composite Scores. (We do not super score)
• Students must meet all above requirements by February 15th

2. Development – The Jackson State University Development Foundation (JSUDF) provides scholarship opportunities to JSU students. Scholarships are offered to deserving students through the commitment and support of alumni and friends of the University.

3. Colleges / University – These scholarships are specific to your respective major. Please see the Scholarships website for more information.

For more information regarding each scholarship, please visit https://jsums.academicworks.com or call 1-866-THEEJSU (1-866-843-3578).

Step 5: Send Immunization Record

SEND IMMUNIZATION RECORD TO THE HEALTH CENTER

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. 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:

For more information on JSU’s health screening requirements, visit the JSU Health Center’s webpage at www.jsums.edu/healthservices

The contact number for the JSU Health Center is 601-979-2260.

Step 6: 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:

1. Visit your JSU PAWS account.
2. Enter your J# (ex. J00000000) and NET ID Password.
3. Select the “Student” tab at the top of page. Then, select the “Housing” link.
4. After selecting the “Housing” link, you will select, “THD: JSU Housing Self-Service.”
5. 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.
6. Your login information will be as follows:
   Username: one\J# (ex. one\J00000000) |Password: NetID (Must set up in your PAWS account)
7. You will be directed to your own personal Student Housing Portal. Once there, you will select “Apps & Forms” and then select the housing application for your classification and proper term.
8. You will be directed to agree to the “Terms and Conditions” by signing your name and clicking “Continue.”
9. After clicking “Continue,” you will proceed to answer all questions.
10. 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).
11. Your final step will be paying your fee. Please note that your housing application will not be processed without receiving payment.

Step 7: Register for Classes

Whether you are taking a class online or on campus, please schedule a meeting with an academic advisor. If you will be enrolled in an online program, please contact JSUOnline at 601-979-0779. If you are taking classes on campus, please contact the University Academic Advisement Center at 601-979-2127.

Step 8: Complete Registration or Set up a Payment Plan

“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. 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. If not, a message will display instructing you to your next required step.

Step 9: 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 10: Send Final Transcript After Graduation

Final transcripts need to be sent to Undergraduate Admissions as soon as final grades are posted. Please have your high school counselor mail your final transcripts to:

Jackson State University
Undergraduate Admissions
P.O. Box 17330
Jackson, MS 39217

The contact number to Undergraduate Admissions is 601-979-6361.

Step 11: Freshmen 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 Freshmen Move-In Day.

Step 12: 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.