Pre-Arrival

Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, Illinois. Bloomington adjoins the town of Normal, Illinois, and the two are often referred to as Bloomington-Normal or BloNo. Bloomington-Normal is approximately 2.5 hours by car south of Chicago, Illinois, and about 3 hours by car north of St. Louis, Missouri. Bloomington is also accessible by plane, train and bus.

What to Pack

You can bring small items that make you comfortable and feel at home here in your residence hall. They could be pictures of family and friends or decorative items representing your interests or your home country. The key is: pack light. You have long hours of travel ahead of you.

Use our Packing Checklist to help you prepare for your first trip to IWU. Note that this list may not be comprehensive as everyone's needs are different.

Billing & Payment

Student Account Payment Deadline

International students are automatically placed on 1 payment per term for their first term at IWU.  Payment for the first term is due on or before July 30th, prior to arrival on campus.  For subsequent terms, International students may choose either the 2-Payment Plan (1 each term) or the 10-Payment Plan (5 each term).In the subsequent terms, you will receive a bill each month in your respective residence halls from the  Business Office. The bills will not be sent to your home country.

Please refer to the brochure which is included with the June statement to calculate your monthly payments.

Student Health Insurance is mandatory for all International students. You will have to make payment once a year for the Health Insurance. The International Office will guide you through the process during the beginning of Fall semester.

Pay your bill

You can pay online or through checks. Learn more about Making Payments.

Summer Moodle Course

Over the summer, you will receive access to a Moodle course designed for incoming International students before they arrive on campus. The course provides essential information about preparing to depart for campus, academic expectations, and American culture. You can also connect with fellow incoming International students and your Pre-Orientation Mentors in the forum. The information covered in the course will prepare you for Pre-Orientation and other campus events that take place early on in the semester. 

Rising Titan (Summer Orientation)

Rising Titan is a one-day summer orientation experience where students will register for their Fall semester classes, engage in reflective conversations about their college experience, and meet Titan Orientation Leaders.

International students have the option to register for the virtual orientation date. 

Visiting exchange students attending IWU for only one semester or academic year will participate in an abbreviated Rising Titan. 

Summer Reading Program 

Illinois Wesleyan University’s Summer Reading Program is designed as an opportunity for incoming students to participate in a shared intellectual conversation about a common text. Students, faculty, staff, and alumni read a selected book through the summer (before arriving to campus as first year students) and gather during Turning Titan: New Student Orientation for a discussion.