International Admissions
Jackson State University welcomes non-US citizens seeking an undergraduate degree from an HBCU with global reach. Follow the nine-step enrollment process including professional transcript evaluation, TOEFL/English proficiency, Declaration of Financial Support, and TB health screening.
JSU welcomes students from around the world
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.
Test-Optional Policy Notice
The published policy statement reads: “Jackson State University is test optional for the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 academic years.” Note for international applicants: TOEFL scores are explicitly required for English Proficiency (unless exempt), separate from ACT/SAT test-optional considerations. Please contact JSU Global at 601-979-1611 to confirm current international test requirements.
Four international-specific requirements
International applicants must meet four requirements unique to their status. Full details are in Step 2 of the enrollment process below.
Apply 4 Months Prior
International students should apply four (4) months prior to the intended semester of enrollment to accommodate completion of all documents (i.e. I-20).
Professional Evaluation Required
International transcripts must be professionally evaluated by a NAFSA-endorsed service including WES, ECE, IEE, Josef Silny & Associates, or SpanTran.
TOEFL Required (or Exemption)
Submit TOEFL scores: IBT 69 / CBT 194 / PBT 525. Exemptions available for US high school graduates, US college transfers with 30+ hours, English-speaking countries, and JSU ESL completers.
Declaration Required
Submit a Certified Declaration of Financial Support to JSU Global after admittance, showing sufficient funds for one academic year.
Nine steps to enrollment
Complete these nine sequential steps from campus visit through Welcome Week to enroll at Jackson State University as an international student.
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. You’ll learn about undergraduate admission requirements, degree options, housing, student life, and the legacy of the university, and see notable buildings including our JSU Student Center, residential facilities, recreation center, and library.
Schedule a Campus Visit →Get Admitted to JSU
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).
Submit Required Documents
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 (applies to both first-time freshmen and transfer students).
All transcript evaluations must include:
- A course-by-course evaluation with a grade assigned to each course
- A cumulative equivalent grade point average
- A degree equivalent
- A translation into English, if necessary
Recommended Evaluation Services (Endorsed by NAFSA)
World Education Services
WES
Josef Silny & Associates, Inc.
Educational Credential Evaluators
ECE
International Education Evaluations, Inc.
IEE
These companies 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.
Proof of English Proficiency
Submit acceptable TOEFL scores:
69
Internet-Based Test
194
Computer-Based Test
525
Paper-Based Test
Four Exemptions from 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.
Certified Declaration of Financial Support
A 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.
Submit Financial Support to JSU Global
1400 J.R. Lynch Street
P.O. Box 17103
Jackson, MS 39217
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.
TB Screening Requirement
In addition to the immunization requirement, international students are required to have two screening tests for tuberculosis exposure once arriving to the country:
1. IGRA blood test · 2. Chest X-ray
These tests must be performed in the United States not more than six (6) weeks before the start of classes. Tests 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.
For more information on JSU’s health screening requirements, visit the JSU Health Center webpage.
Apply for Campus Housing
Housing applications are available at
jsums.org/housing. The office is located in
Campbell College Suites-North.
How to Apply — 11-Step Housing Application Process
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” and 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.
- Your final step will be paying your fee. Please note that your housing application will not be processed without receiving payment.
$100 non-refundable housing application fee (New and Transfer Students) or $75 room reservation fee (Returning Students).
New Student Orientation / Register for Classes
The source page states: “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.” This appears to be copy-pasted from the Readmit page and references “readmit student” on the International page. The intent likely applies to international students — please contact JSU Global at 601-979-1611 to confirm New Student Orientation requirements for international students.
For more information regarding New Student Orientation, please visit jsums.edu/orientation. If you will be enrolled in an online program, please contact JSUOnline.
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.
Two Ways to Officially Communicate
- Automatic Registration Complete — The most popular way. Once a student has selected 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 student’s registration will be completed automatically.
- Online Payment Plan — The plan divides the balance due 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. Complete registration on time to avoid additional charges.
Verify Status via JSU PAWS
- Select the “Student” tab.
- Select “Registration”.
- Select “Fall Registration Service”.
- Select “Check Registration Status”.
- If registration is complete, a congratulatory message will be displayed.
- If not, a message will display instructing you to your next required step.
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 Step 6 registration is complete.
The source references “(Step 8)” for ID pickup timing, but on this 9-step International page, Step 8 is Move-in Day, not registration completion. Registration completion is Step 6. Rebuild corrects the intent to reference Step 6. This appears to be copy-pasted from the HSE/Home-Schooled 12-step pages where the reference was correct.
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 the number below for more information on Freshmen Move-In Day.
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.
Priority deadlines
Reminder: International students should apply 4 months prior to intended semester to allow time for I-20 processing.
Two schedules — Traditional and JSUOnline
Priority Deadlines
- Fall Semester August 21st
- Spring Semester January 15th
- First Summer Session May 27th
- Second Summer Session June 26th
Priority Deadlines
- 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
Ready to Enroll?
Contact JSU Global at 601-979-1611 for personalized assistance with your international admissions application, or JSU Admissions at 1-866-843-3578 for general questions.
Contact Information
JSU Global
1400 J.R. Lynch Street
P.O. Box 17103
Jackson, MS 39217
Undergraduate Admissions
P.O. Box 17330
Jackson, MS 39217