Admissions Timeline

Join our contact list to receive helpful information and updates. 

When can you do it? As soon as you know you're interested in becoming a Bobcat at Texas State University or just want to know more about our programs.

How do you do it? You can join our contact list by clicking the button below and completing the student interest form. We'll also add you to our contact list when you sign up for a campus visit, have ACT or SAT test scores sent to us, or submit an application for admission.

How long does it take? Joining our contact list takes only a few minutes.

What happens next? You will be sent periodic emails and publications no more than a few times a week, and you can opt out at any time.

Visit us, virtually or in person, and see if Texas State is right for you!

When can you do it? Students are encouraged to begin visiting colleges and universities early in their search process, usually in their junior year of high school.

How do you do it? Click the button below to explore the visit opportunities available and sign up for the one you want to participate in.

How long does it take? Visits can last from an hour to all day, depending on the visit type. You should also plan for travel time to and from campus, as well as overnight accommodations, if necessary.

What happens next? After your visit, we'll follow up to see how you liked your experience and send you additional information about Texas State. If you decide you want to join the Bobcat community as a student, your next step will be to apply for admission!

Submit an application for admission to Texas State University. 

When can you do it? Applications are open six months to a year before the start of each term and have posted deadlines for completion. Application priority dates and deadlines are posted online.

How do you do it? Complete and submit an application through either the CommonApp or ApplyTexas. On the application, you will be asked to provide information about yourself, including your academic history. You'll also let us know which campus you want to attend and the degree program you want to pursue.

How long does it take? The applications typically take an hour or longer to complete and submit.

What happens next? You will receive an email confirming your submission within 1-2 business days which includes a link to pay the application fee. That email will be followed in 1-2 business days by a status update email containing information about your NetID and how to activate it, as well as access to the Admissions Status Portal.

All applicants must pay an application fee, unless they qualify for a fee waiver.

When can you do it? You can pay the application fee as soon as you receive the application confirmation email, within 1-2 business days after you submit your application. Applicants who qualify for a fee deferral will have the application fee included on their first semester bill.

How do you do it? You will have an opportunity to request a fee waiver on the application. If you do not qualify for a waiver or deferral, you can pay the fee using the payment link included in the application confirmation email mentioned above.

How long does it take? Paying the application fee using a credit card online only takes a few minutes. Paying by check or money order takes longer and will depend on mail delivery and check processing times.

What happens next? You will need to submit any additional requirements to complete your application file, such as transcripts or other academic credentials.

Your NetID is your login name for all online access at TXST.

When can you do it? You will receive an email with your NetID and an activation link within 2 business days of your application for admission being received and processed.

How do you do it? Information about activating your NetID can be found by clicking the button below.

How long does it take? Activating your NetID is fairly simple and only takes a few minutes. If you run into any problems, the IT Assistance Center (ITAC) is available to help.

What happens next? After your NetID and password are activated, you can sign in to the TXST Admissions Status Portal to see application status updates and next steps you need to complete. You also have access to all online student resources, including BobcatMail and the TXST Self-Service dashboard.

Your transcripts from previous institutions are required for admission!

When can you do it? Applicants can submit transcripts at any time during the application process, but it's best to first have an application on file.

How do you do it? Unofficial high school transcripts can be submitted by document uploader, once your NetID and password are activated. Click the button below for more information.

How long does it take? Submitting applications through the document uploader on takes a few minutes. Official transcripts requested from a high school or college may be transmitted electronically in a few days or arrive by mail in about 7-10 days.

What happens next? Once received, all transcripts must be processed and indexed to your application file. In most cases, processing is completed in about 3-10 business days. During especially busy periods, processing can take up to four weeks. If you have submitted a transcript and your status still shows it as missing, please DO NOT submit it again! Sending multiple copies of a transcript only adds to the delay for everyone. If it has been more than 4 weeks, please contact us before submitting another transcript.

Submitting test scores.

When can you do it? At any time, but it's best to have an application on file. It is also recommended you only send scores if they are required or will benefit you to submit them.

How do you do it? All testing agencies have a way for you to order scores and have them sent directly to institutions like Texas State, either at the time of testing or after. To be considered official, scores must be sent from the testing agency. We will not accept scores sent any other way.

How long does it take? The time it takes for test scores to be sent varies from agency to agency. Please refer to the testing agency's website for information about score transmissions.

What happens next? Once scores are received, they are added to your application file and considered for admission to the university, and in some cases, scholarships.

Apply for State and Federal Financial Aid.

When can you do it? The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) typically opens October 1 each year for the following academic year (fall to summer). The priority deadline is January 15, but applications may be submitted later. Financial aid is awarded on a first come, first served basis, so it's best to apply as early as possible.

How do you do it? U.S. citizens may apply for state and federal financial aid—grants, work study, and loans—through the FAFSA. Texas State's school code for the FAFSA is 003615. Non-citizen Texas residents may apply for state financial aid using the Texas Application for Student Financial Aid (TASFA).

How long does it take? The time required to complete the FAFSA or TASFA varies but can take an hour or more. 

What happens next? Once your FAFSA (or TASFA) is submitted, your application data is shared with Texas State for award calculation. In some cases, you may be asked to provide additional documents or information for verification. Students who qualify for aid are typically notified by email in about 2 weeks, but it may take longer. Offers may also be found in your Texas State Self-Service dashboard under the Financial Aid tab.

Some scholarships are awarded automatically and others require an application.

When can you do it? The Bobcat Online Scholarship System (BOSS) opens for Texas State Competitive Scholarship applications in September. Freshmen must be admitted to the university and submit their application by the December 15 deadline to be considered. The deadline for transfer students is March 1.

How do you do it? The applications for Texas State Competitive Scholarships are available in BOSS and students must apply for admission and activated their NetID and password to apply. Assured and Merit Scholarships do not require a separate application and will be awarded automatically to students who qualify.

How long does it take? The time required to complete the scholarship applications varies but can take an hour or more.

What happens next? Competitive scholarships are awarded beginning in early spring and the email notification process is usually completed by July 1.

Students who qualify for an Assured or Merit scholarship usually receive email notification of their award within a few weeks of admission to the university.

University policy requires first-year students to live on campus unless they qualify for an exemption. Students exempt from the policy have the option to request housing in university-owned apartments or secure their own housing off campus.

When can you do it? Fall housing contracts typically open in October for the following year. You will be given access to the housing portal a few days after being admitted to the university. Housing selection is opened to students based on when their contract was submitted, so you should submit your contract as soon as possible. You will be required to submit a contract or exemption before you can meet with an advisor and register for classes.

How do you do it? Students required to live on campus will log in to the Housing Portal to complete a contract or submit an exemption request. An advance rent payment of $300 is due at the time of submission, unless deferred though an application fee waiver or deferral. Instructions for submitting the contract and additional information are provided in the Housing Portal.

Students not required to live on campus may use the Off-Campus Housing Marketplace to see listings of local housing options or secure housing on their own.

How long does it take? The housing contract can be completed in less than an hour.

What happens next? Once your housing contract is submitted, you will receive information about the housing selection process from Housing and Residential Life. Please refer to the Housing and Residential Life website for additional details about the housing timeline & process.

New Student Orientation (NSO) is required for all new students and all former students returning after one or more long semesters (fall or spring) away. Signing up for NSO is also required before students can meet with an academic advisor and register for classes.

When can you do it? You can sign up for NSO once you're admitted and NSO sign-up is open for your start term. Sign-up for summer and fall NSO opens in February. Sign-up for spring NSO opens in October.

How do you do it? NSO sign-up is done through the TXST Admissions Status Portal. Just log in to the portal and click the link to sign up. 

Once you sign up, a link will be provided to pay the NSO fee. Your NSO sign-up is not complete until you pay the fee. If you received an application fee waiver or deferral, you will not be required to pay the fee at sign-up. Instead, the fee will be added to your first semester bill.

How long does it take? Signing up for NSO takes just a few minutes.

What happens next? If you are required to attend an in-person session, you will be sent an email confirmation with session details and a reminder to complete any remaining next steps in the TXST Admissions Status Portal. 

If you are eligible to complete NSO online, you will be provided access to the Canvas modules within two working days.

Signing up for NSO is one of the steps required to become advising ready. Other steps that must also be completed include submitting a housing contract (or exemption) and satisfying the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) requirement, if required.

The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) is a state-legislated program to improve student success in college by requiring students to demonstrate college readiness.

When can you do it? You can satisfy the TSI requirements at any time before or after you apply or are admitted to Texas State.

How do you do it? You can demonstrate college readiness by taking the TSI Assessment 2.0 (TSIA2) exam or completing Texas College Bridge, or through exemptions provided by ACT, SAT, or STAAR scores, completion of certain college course work, or having served in the military.

How long does it take? Satisfying the TSI requirement takes from a few minutes (to submit documentation of an approved exemption) to a few hours (to take the TSIA2 exam).

What happens next? Describe the results of the action and/or what we do as a result of the action being completed. Include time expected for actions to be completed by us.

All incoming first-year and transfer students, as well as students returning after one long semester away, must complete an Advising Experience before enrolling in courses. 

When can you do it? To be eligible for advising, students must first become advising ready. To be advising ready, you must be signed up for New Student Orientation (NSO). First-year students are also required to submit a housing contract (or exemption) to be considered advising ready.

How do you do it? First-year advising-ready students will gain access to a New Bobcat Enrollment Profile form in the TXST Admissions Status Portal. Completing the form provides First-Year Advising the information needed to design a first-semester course plan for you.

Transfer and returning students who are advising ready will find instructions for scheduling an advising appointment in the TXST Admissions Status Portal.

How long does it take? The advising experience will vary by student. 

First-year students can expect it to take a few weeks for First-Year Advising to complete their course plan and enroll them in classes. The goal is to have your course schedule finalized by the time you attend NSO, at the latest.

Advising appointments for transfer and returning students can take 30-60 minutes.

What happens next? When your Advising Experience is complete, you will either be enrolled in classes for your first semester (first-year students) or able to sign in to CatsWeb and build your own course schedule.

Once all other enrollment requirements are completed, you will be able to register for classes.

When can you do it? Registration can only be completed after all other enrollment requirements are complete and the registration system is open for the semester.

How do you do it? If you are an incoming first-year student, your first semester's course schedule will be built for you by First-Year Advising, based on the information you provide in your New Bobcat Enrollment Profile. You will be sent an email when you are officially enrolled and you may then make adjustments to your schedule, if you like.

Transfer and returning students will register for classes by logging in to the registration system on TXST Self Service. Registration resources are available on the Student Registration webpage linked below.

How long does it take? The time it takes to register for classes will vary by student.

What happens next? After you complete registration, print or download your schedule and get ready for the semester to start.

New students are required to submit final, official transcripts from their high school and all colleges/universities they have attended, including dual-credit college transcripts.

When can you do it? You can have final transcripts sent any time after you have completed the course work at an institution. Your high school transcripts must include all completed course grades and date of graduation. College transcripts must include final grades for all courses.

How do you do it? Request or order the transcripts to be sent from the school or college directly to Texas State. To be considered official, the transcript must come from the school issuing the diploma or credit, either by electronic transcript service or in an envelope sealed by the issuing institution.

How long does it take? It should only take a few minutes to request your transcripts, but the time it takes for Texas State to receive them will vary by institution and delivery method. Please allow 2-3 weeks for transcripts to be processed, once received.

What happens next? Once a transcript has been received, it will be processed and indexed to your student records. Transcripts for college course work will be evaluated to determine course transferability and TXST course equivalency.

Texas State students are required to pay tuition, fees, and on-campus housing room and board charges each semester. You have the option to pay in full or establish a payment plan.

When can you do it? Semester bills are issued a few weeks before the start of each term and payment is due before classes start. See the Academic Calendar for payment deadlines.

How do you do it? Information about how to pay is available on the TXST One Stop website at the link provided below.

How long does it take? Setting up a payment, either in full or with a payment plan, will only take a few minutes.

What happens next? Once a payment has been made, you will receive an email confirmation and receipt from Student Business Services.