Admissions

Group of students celebrating with Rocky (costumed mascot) in front of Hanson Field gateway entrance

You're In!

Commit to Western

Have you been accepted? Congratulations! We encourage you to commit to Western as soon as you receive your acceptance information to secure your spot as a Leatherneck. No enrollment deposit is required!

Meet your Admission Counselor
#1 Log in to STARS

STARS will be your go-to place as a Leatherneck to access registration, grades, financial aid information, housing assignments, billing information, and much more.

Access your STARS student portal to:

  1. Register for orientation
  2. Check your Financial Aid offer

Log in to STARS with your WIU ID as the username. Your date of birth (mmddyyy format) will be the temporary password when you first log in. Contact the Support Center at (309) 298-8324 (298-TECH) for assistance.

#2 Activate your WIU email

This will be the main form of communication to connect you with Financial Aid, campus life, and more.

Activate your electronic communication (ECom) account

Use your WIU ID and your ECOM username to set up your WIU email account. Visit wiu.edu/activate to get started.

#3 Celebrate and Share

We want you to celebrate your accomplishment in becoming a Leatherneck. Get exclusive frames to share on social media. Be sure to tag @westerniluniv

#4 Stay Connected

Meet other admitted students on the ZeeMee app. Follow WIU athletics, student organizations, or academic departments on their social media accounts.

Prepare to be a Leatherneck

two students walking together and laughing
Leatherneck Launch

Leatherneck Launch is our new student orientation and is an important step students take in their transition to college.

How to Register: Via your STARS account

One-day, on-campus Leatherneck Launch programs will be held on various dates throughout the summer (June/July). There will be programs scheduled to accommodate students/guests traveling by Amtrak.

New Student Registration Prep

New Student Registration Prep is a virtual session to guide you through the first steps of registration, where you will learn more about course offerings and other academic opportunities. After completion, you can meet with your academic advisor and register for your classes!

How to Access New Student Registration Prep?
Once you sign up for Leatherneck Launch you will be sent an email with details about accessing the session in your Western Online account.

Financial Aid Resources

Student loans, federal grants, state grants, and some scholarships are awarded through the FAFSA. Learn more by visiting the Financial Aid Office

Paying for College Guide
Scholarship Information
  • Visit the WIU Scholarship Portal to view all scholarship opportunities. Application deadlines vary by scholarship.
Final Transcripts

Final official high school transcripts are required after you graduate high school. If you completed any dual enrollment coursework through another institution please submit official transcripts.

Health Insurance Information
Macomb
  • Health insurance is required and automatically charged to your student account but can be waived if you are covered by an existing plan.
  • Health insurance waivers are available if you are covered through an existing plan. This form must be approved and on file in the Student Health Insurance Office by the 10th day of Fall and Spring Semesters and the 6th day of Summer Semester.
  • Immunization form is required and can be submitted to the Beu Health Center.
Quad Cities
  • Health insurance is available for Quad Cities students to opt into if they have 9 credit hours or more with 5 of those hours being on-campus classes.
  • Immunization records are not required except as determined by the academic program.

Picture Yourself Here

two students sitting on a bed in a dorm room working on laptops
Apply for Housing

Take advantage of the many benefits living on campus has to offer. Complete your housing application at wiu.edu/apply4housing

Meal Plans

The dining plan at Western is one of the most flexible programs in the country. You pay for what you eat, allowing you to control your budget, and eat when and where you'd like. Learn more about your dining options at our dining website.

Housing Options

Start exploring WIU's housing and dining options right away! Freshmen, sophomores, and transfer students with fewer than 60 credit hours are required to live on campus. Petitions are available for housing exemptions.

Roommate Matching

Choose your roommate with Roommate Matching within STARS after your housing application is complete. The lifestyle questions will help determine recommended roommate choices for you.

Already know who you want to live with? Great! You can request a specific roommate on your housing application.

Quad Cities Campus Info

On-campus housing is not available on our Quad Cities campus. However, since this campus is located in a bustling metropolitan area, there are plenty of housing options steps from campus. Please explore off-campus options.

Welcome Week

three students, two with their arms up celebrating, in front of giant bowling pins that appear to be part of a game being played on Hanson Field

Students that get involved with campus life statistically perform better in the classroom. To help welcome you to the Leatherneck family, Rocky’s First Four is a part of your Leatherneck Launch orientation experience and takes place Thursday-Sunday before classes begin every August on the Macomb campus. The Office of Student Engagement and Housing and Dining Services coordinates a week full of events during Welcome Week.