Before Registration
What's next? You've signed up for your registration appointment, but there are few things to make sure you have taken care of to make sure the rest of your registration and admission process run smoothly. Read through our checklist to make sure you are ready for your registration appointment.
If you haven't already, these items will need to be sent to Dakota State to complete your admission file:
- Official high school transcript
- Official college transcript (not required if courses were taken from any public university in South Dakota)
- ACT and/or SAT scores
- Advanced Placement (AP) exam scores
- CLEP (College Level Examination Program) exam scores
- Immunization records – two doses of MMR are required for on-campus students
To complete your admission file. You can mail them to the address below, or view your missing items and load unofficial copies directly in your DSU Application Portal.
DSU Office of Admission
820 N. Washington Ave.
Madison, SD 57042
Email
(605) 256-5139
(888) DSU-9988
Looking for financial assistance for your DSU education?
- Apply for federal financial aid by completing the FASFA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) at studentaid.gov.
- Watch your email for notes of missing requirements or verification.
- Your financial aid packet will arrive in the mail and will tell you how to access your aid offer online.
- Read the packet carefully and accept or decline each type of aid awarded.
- Federal financial aid has annual limits which means scholarships, private loans, or personal funds may be needed to cover annual costs.
- Additional financing options are outlined in the Financial Aid Award Guide.
DSU Office of Financial Aid
Email: fa@dsu.edu
Phone: (605) 256-5152
Scholarships
One of the best ways to help pay for school is through scholarships. Get started by checking out our available scholarships.
Be sure to watch for emails from your high school staff or check bulletin boards for scholarship opportunities.
Contract submission
To sign up for on-campus housing you must submit a housing contract, select a meal plan, and pay the $50.00 non-refundable housing deposit, via the link below. When you click on the link, you will sign in with your DSU credentials. After you sign in, click on “Housing Contract Application” in the top menu and then select the first term in which you will begin living in campus housing.
Housing information
To request to live off campus, you will click on the above link, sign in with your DSU credentials, and click on “Application to Live Off Campus” in the right-hand menu. After you complete your application, Residence Life will review your request and provide you with additional information. Please note, you are not approved or denied to live off campus until you are contacted by Residence Life. residencelife@dsu.edu or (605) 256-5146.
Policy Note: Please be aware that all students who are within 2 years of their high school graduation date are required to live on campus unless they are married, living with a dependent child, live 6 nights per week with a parent/guardian at their primary residence within 60 miles of the University, or take 5 or less credit hours on the main campus. If you feel your situation matches any of these circumstances, please contact us so we can assist you.
Roommate assignments:
- Fall applications - Students applying for Fall housing who complete their housing application by Friday, June 20 will receive their housing placement prior to July 4. Roommate matches must be confirmed by Friday, June 20 to be guaranteed. Students who complete their contract after that date will be assigned on an on-going basis and roommate matches are not guaranteed.
- Spring applications - Students applying for Spring housing who complete their housing application by Friday, December 13 will receive their housing placement the week of December 16. Students who complete their contract after that date will be assigned on an on-going basis.
- Have a specific roommate in mind? Rooming requests made by both parties are accepted
Learn about our First Year Residence Experience (FYRE), see residence hall layouts, and check out what to bring on DSU's Residence Life Pages.
Dining Services Information
Your DSU meal plan includes:
- Residential dining in the Marketplace
- Meal Plan Flex - redeemable at the Queue, C-Store, the Marketplace, 8th Street Square, and vending and concession stands
Meal Plan access/funding is non-transferrable from semester to semester. Meal Plan Flex funds are transferrable from the fall to spring semesters, but not from year to year.
View meal plan options and complete your meal plan via the link above.
For questions about meal plans, contact Kim with Card Services at kim.wermers@dsu.edu or (605) 256-5225 or check out DSU's Dining Services pages.
Submit your ID Photo prior to registration day. This ID Card Photo link will guide you through the instructions and process to submit your ID photo.
Trojan ID card uses:
- Access to:
- Residence halls
- Marketplace (DSU Dining Plan)
- Karl E. Mundt Library
- Community Center
- A variety of student activities and events
- Health Services
- Academic Buildings
- Trojan Silver – make purchases at on and off-campus vendors through the Trojan Silver program
- Online eAccount: manage your account, add funds, or freeze your account if your card is lost or stolen
DSU Card Services: Kim Wermers
Email
(605) 256-5225
To use your GI Bill to help assist with the cost of education, you will need to apply for your GI Bill through the VA. Once you have completed your application please save your confirmation page. This could take up to 30+ Days to process the application at the VA, but once it is processed you will receive your Certificate of Eligibility which will state if you have been approved or denied benefits. Please provide a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility to DSU Veteran Affairs Office.
Service members should submit their military transcripts:
- Joint Service Transcript
- Army, Navy, Marine
- Community College of the Air Force
- Air Force
- Utilize GI Bill or Tuition Assistance while enrolled at DSU
Check out our General Beadle Honors Program. It's a comprehensive honors program combining academic, extra-curricular, leadership, and service activities. You get to:
- Enroll in honors classes
- Build a professional network
- Engage in a living/learning community
- Gain great academic stability
Our counseling center helps students with any 504 and/or IEP plans. Our DSU Strong services assist students on the autism spectrum. We also have mental health counselors and resources for you if you are struggling in classes, experiencing relationship issues, or are concerned by your substance use or someone else’s, Dakota State counseling is here for you.