Frequently Asked Questions

1098-T Tuition Statements

When is the 1098-T sent out?

The 1098-T is mailed by January 31 to your permanent address. In addition, a copy of your 1098-T will be available on MyNIU and students will be notified when they are available for viewing online. For step-by-step guide, see the 1098-T how-to guide.

Note: 1098-Ts with non-USA addresses will not be mailed. Instead, they will be available on MyNIU.

How do I know if I qualify for an educational tax credit? How do I claim it if I qualify?

Only you and/or your tax consultant can determine if you are eligible for any educational tax benefits. NIU staff members are not tax professionals and due to the complexity of the tax code, cannot provide tax advice or determine your eligibility for educational tax benefits. We can provide you with information about your account, which you may need in order to determine your eligibility for tax benefits. However, any questions about your eligibility should be directed to the IRS or a tax professional.

For more information about 1098-T eligibility, visit Claiming Education Credit - Eligibility and Official IRS Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Education.

What payments are included in Box 1?

Posted payments in 2023 toward qualified tuition and related expenses (QTRE) include:

  • Cash, check and credit card payments
  • Loans
  • Scholarship and grants
  • Third party payments
  • Waivers

Any online payments that have been posted to your MyNIU account by December 31, 2023 will be reported on your 2023 1098-T. Please note: If payment was mailed during winter break, your payment will be processed in the 2024 tax year and will not be reflected in Box 1 of 2023 1098-T.

For additional information on viewing payment details, see the payment history how-to guide.

What is considered qualified tuition and related expenses (QTRE)?

QTRE, qualified tuition and related expenses, includes mandatory fees that a student is required to pay in order to be enrolled at or attend NIU. QTRE is summarized as below:

Expenses That Are QTRE

Examples are listed as:

  • Tuition
  • General fees
  • Academic program enhancement fee
  • Material fees
  • Outreach delivery fees
  • Regional course charges
  • Instructional Cost (Study Abroad)
  • MBA Curricular

Expenses That Are Not QTRE

Examples are listed as:

  • Student-to-student program fee (undergrad only)
  • Housing charges
  • Dining charges
  • Student medical insurance
  • Health service fees
  • Enrollment fees
  • Late payment fees
  • HIP participation fees
  • Parking permits and fines
  • Other fees (graduation, application, processing, service, library, etc.)
  • Bookstore charges
  • Study Abroad program charge
  • MBA program & professional development fee and MBA international fee
  • Any fines assessed to the student
  • Miscellaneous charges
What happens if I never received my 1098-T?

The 1098-T is mailed to your permanent address. If you did not receive one, it is possible

  1. Your permanent address may not be correct in MyNIU, or is non-USA; however, a copy of your 1098-T will be available on MyNIU.
  2. You may not have any eligible payment and/or financial aid activity within the tax year. For additional information on viewing payment details, view the payment history how-to guide.

For step-by-step guide, see the 1098-T how-to guide.

If you have a problem with logging in, please call the DoIT Service Desk at 815-753-8100.

What is included in Box 5?

This box reflects the total of scholarships, grants and tuition/housing waivers that were posted to the tuition account during calendar year 2023. This may also include additional scholarships, grants tuition/housing waivers posted late for a prior year.

What is included in Box 6?

Box 6 shows adjustments that occurred in 2023 to scholarships, grants or waivers that were reported on the 2022 tax year. Per the IRS, this amount may affect the amount of any allowable tuition and fees deduction or education credit that you claimed for the prior year (2022). You may have to file an amended income tax return (Form 1040X) for the prior year.

I am an international student; do I need a 1098-T?

It is unlikely that you will need a 1098-T, but this is dependent on your resident status for US tax purposes. Generally, nonresident aliens are not eligible to claim any of the education-related tax credits or deductions for which 1098-T is intended to serve as documentation. If you are required to file a tax return on Form 1040NR or Form 1040NR-EZ, you are not eligible to claim those tax benefits.

If you are unsure whether you are required to file a U.S. income tax return, you can reach out to the Controller’s Office at controlleroffice@niu.edu. Although NIU staff members are prohibited from providing tax advice, the Controller’s Office may be able to assist you with further explanations.

I am an international student; how do I submit a valid taxpayer identification number?New

If your account has been identified as not having a valid Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) or Social Security Number (SSN), you would have received an email from the Bursar's Office. Below is the content of the email.

[Note: If you are a foreign national or undocumented student and do not plan on filing an income tax return for 2023, you can disregard this email. Additionally, students with an SSN via DACA should address questions to the Undocumented Student Resource Center at undocumented@niu.edu.]

If you require a 2023 1098-T Tuition Statement to be submitted to the IRS, please present our office with a PDF or image of one of the following: 1.) your original letter verifying your ITIN; or 2.) your original (SSN) card.

How to submit your ITIN or SSN document:

EMAIL SUBMISSIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR SECURITY PURPOSES.

The priority deadline to complete this is December 15, 2023.

IMPORTANT: You must provide an accurate TIN; failure to do so may result in a $50 penalty under Internal Revenue Code 6723.

Questions about alternative methods to submit the ITIN or SSN documentation should be directed to Registration and Records at regrec@niu.edu. Registration and Records does not advise students on how to apply for taxpayer identification numbers. Visit the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website for any questions about TIN numbers and how to apply for one.

I am having difficulty viewing my 1098-T online. What should I do?

Various web browsers have settings that actively block Pop-Up windows. Perform the following steps in your browser:

Apple Safari

"Block Pop-Up Windows" needs to be unselected. Navigation: Edit > Block Pop-Up Windows (Ctrl + Shift + K)

Firefox

Upon clicking the View Statement link, an Information Bar should display on the screen. Click the "Options" button. Select "Allow Pop-Ups".

Google Chrome

At top right, click "More > Settings. Click Privacy and security Site Settings. Pop-ups and redirects. Choose the option that you want as your default setting.

Internet Edge

At top right, click "More > Settings. Click Cookies and site permissions. Pop-ups and redirects. Choose the option that you want as your default setting.

If you continue to have difficulties pulling up the 1098-T, you should contact the DoIT Service Desk at 815-753-8100.

I'm having trouble printing my 1098-T online. What can I do?

Please note that all eligible students with a permanent address within the USA will receive a printed copy of their 1098-T form in the mail. If you are having trouble printing your 1098-T in MyNIU within your Internet browser, please try the following:

Internet Edge and Apple Safari

Navigation: File > Print (Ctrl + P). Click the "OK" or "Print" button.

Mozilla Firefox

Navigation: Edit > Select All (Ctrl + A). Then proceed to File > Print (Ctrl + P). In the Print range section, choose the "Selection" option. Click the "OK" button.

For additional information regarding tax credits, view the Internal Revenue Service website. For questions relating specifically to information provided by NIU on your 1098-T tuition statement, you may contact the NIU Office of the Bursar.

I received a “Federal” Student Emergency Grant (HEERF, CRRSAA, ARPA, and GEER) during the 2023 tax year. Will this appear on my 1098-T?
  • Yes, if you received a “Federal” Student Emergency Grant during the 2023 calendar year and selected to have the funds applied to your student account to reduce or pay off any outstanding qualified tuition and related expenses charged. The award would appear in Box 1 but not in Box 5.
  • No, if you selected to have the “Federal” Student Emergency Grant issued directly to you in a refund.

“Federal” Student Emergency Grants:

  • Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriation Act (CRRSAA)
  • American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)
  • Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund (GEER)
  • HEERF

Student Financial Agreement

Is there an alternative way to complete the Student Financial Agreement process?

You can navigate to Student Center (by clicking on the MyNIU Self Service Quick Links tile) >  select NIU Financial Agreement (AY1 or AY2) from the To Do List on the right. After reviewing the NIU Financial Agreement, put a checkmark next to “I agree to the terms and conditions” and click Save. Once you have saved, click Exit to continue. 

How do I view and print my completed agreements?

Select the Tasks tile, click on Completed Agreements from the left navigation. Select from the list to view details of the agreement. From the View Agreement window, you can select Print to print a copy of the saved/completed agreement.

General Information

When calling the Bursar's Office regarding my child's account, the receptionist would only provide me with general Bursar information. Why?

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) as amended is a federal law intended to protect the privacy of student educational records accumulated from early childhood through college. FERPA provided parents with certain rights with respect to their children’s educational records.  However, once a student reaches the age of 18 or enters college, the rights previously held by the parents transfer exclusively to the student.

Students have the option to delegate information through Shared Access. Shared Access allows a student to grant, up to two individuals, access to view their student information. The student can grant access to information such as: Academics, Admissions, Financials, Financial Aid and To Do List. To set up and authorize the release of information, please review the Shared Access page. The Office of the Bursar representative would be able to discuss specific account details with the individuals the student has authorized the release of financial information.

Furthermore, FERPA restriction guidelines will not allow the Office of the Bursar to disclose the existence of the account if the account has been flagged as “non-disclosure.”  You may change your non-disclosure status with Registration and Records, or go online via MyNIU. If you do not change your non-disclosure agreement, you will need to come to the Office of the Bursar with a photo ID.

To Change/Update FERPA Restrictions: After logging in to MyNIU, select the "MyNIU Self Service Quick Links" tile, then click on "FERPA Restrictions" from the left navigation.

There is a hold on my student account. What is this for?

Departments that assign holds to student accounts generally send a separate notification indicating why the hold was assigned. These holds may prevent you from registering for classes.

A Bursar hold is a financial hold placed on a student account that may prevent registering for classes or being readmitted to the university.

Please read about holds on our Past Due Account Information page.

Tuition and Fees

Who qualifies for the domestic tuition rate?

This rate is available to all U.S. citizens and permanent residents as well as to undocumented students attending a U.S. high school. This change will apply to students enrolled as NIU undergraduates, graduates or law students.

Will undergraduate tuition rates for domestic students from outside Illinois be guaranteed for four years, like rates for in-state students?

Yes, we will extend the tuition guarantee to all first-time, degree-seeking undergraduate U.S. citizens and permanent residents students attending a U.S. high school. The guarantee is for four continuous years of undergraduate studies. In fact, NIU currently extends the rates for a ninth fall or spring term if needed.

Continuing first-time degree-seeking out-of-state students will have their tuition guarantee take effect fall 2018. Their domestic tuition rate will be the rate of an incoming freshman for fall 2018.

The guaranteed rate does not apply to graduate or law students. The graduate and law tuition rates will continue to be set each year by the NIU Board of Trustees.

What expenses does my graduate tuition cover?

The major portion of revenue from graduate tuition is used to cover the costs of instruction. The remaining portion is used to meet the ever-emerging demands for cutting edge academic programs and services for NIU students. Critical areas for funding include: library journals and books, support for courses in high demand; technology upgrades, academic strategic planning initiatives designed to strengthen, direct and further improve academic programs, research and the academic experience of students. Other items receiving support are the graduate colloquium; maintenance for classroom buildings and other campus facilities such as Holmes Student Center, the Recreation Center and Convocation Center; campus infrastructure improvements in order to provide students with a quality learning environment; the university’s intercollegiate athletic programs for both men and women; University Health Services which provides comprehensive ambulatory health care for students while the university is in session; and the Huskie Bus service.

Why is my graduate tuition so much higher than previously? Will I also be charged fees?

Prior to fall 2015, tuition and fees have been broken out separately. This caused some confusion about the total cost of a class. We know that from time to time, students have been surprised to receive charges for additional fees associated with enrolling in a course. Now, we have consolidated all charges for a class into a single ”tuition” charge to simplify your bill and make it clearer, up front, exactly what it costs to take a given course. The only additional fees you may be assessed are material fees that are relevant for a specific class. This is our way of avoiding any surprises for you.

I am a graduate student and my tuition rate is higher than my friend's who is also a grad student at NIU. Why?

It is likely you are pursuing a degree in an area where the cost of delivering instruction is higher than average and you are being charged a differential tuition rate. Differential tuition rates are assessed to certain programs where the cost of delivery is higher than that of average university programs, e.g., enhanced curriculum through subject-specific hardware, cutting-edge technologies and computer upgrades, as well as faculty support including training, software and other course materials other than textbooks. Differential tuition may also be charged for programs to cover curriculum enhancements that provide a higher value for the graduate of that program in terms of future career opportunities and earning potential. It may also arise where demand for a program is particularly high.

Why do I need to pay material fee and course fees?

Course fees are assessed on a variety of courses for many different purposes such as materials, equipment, and software. Because these fees will continue to support course needs, we are not adjusting fees based on changes to course modality.

All of my courses are online, why do I need to pay the general fee?

All undergraduate students utilize the services that are covered by the general fee, whether they are learning online or in-person. The fee supports university operations, student activities, and COVID related expenses including a strengthened technology infrastructure to support student needs and remote learning, increased technology support including help desk availability on weekends, increased access to digital materials, expanded WiFi and remote proctoring. The fee will not be adjusted.

Can you provide a breakdown of what my general fee covers?

General fees support university operations, student activities, and COVID related expenses incurred by the university including but not limited to:

  • Strengthened technology infrastructure to supports student needs and remote learning
  • Increased access to digital materials
  • Remote proctoring
  • Expanded WiFi
  • Expanded classroom and campus sanitization
  • Expanded COVID testing, and surveillance
  • Maintenance for classroom buildings and other campus facilities such as Holmes Student Center, the Recreation Center and the Convocation Center
  • The Huskie Bus service
  • Student support services such as health services, student government programming, and the Northern Star student run newspaper
I don’t use the services that the general fee pays towards, can I receive an adjustment?

All undergraduate students utilize the services that are covered by the general fee, whether they are learning online or in-person. The fee supports university operations, student activities, and COVID related expenses including a strengthened technology infrastructure to support student needs and remote learning, increased technology support including help desk availability on weekends, increased access to digital materials, expanded WiFi and remote proctoring. The fee will not be adjusted.

Why was I assessed a late payment fee?

Students who pay less than the total amount due by the respective due date will be assessed a monthly late payment fee of 1.08% on the remaining unpaid balance, with a minimum late fee charge of $0.50. View the payment policy for further information regarding late payment fees.

I am taking classes; why doesn't my OneCard work at the Student Recreation Center or University Health Services in DeKalb?

It’s possible that you are enrolled in an online differential program/certificate study or a contracted regional/partner program (e.g., one-year MBA). On-campus fees are not assessed to students in any of these programs. The institutional charge for these programs are used to support infrastructure needed to deliver regional courses (e.g., operations of NIU regional centers, rental of non-NIU facilities, faculty travel and development of online courses).

Please contact Health Services for service access options.

If you want access to the Student Recreation Center, you can purchase a semester pass through Recreation and Wellness. For summer classes, access to the center is dependent on when your classes start and end. For example, if you are taking a summer class that ends in June, your access to the recreation center would be turned off at the completion of that course, regardless of the number of credit hours that you are taking during that first half.

Truth-in-Tuition

What is Truth-in-Tuition?

Public Act 93-0228 is referred to as “Truth-in-Tuition”. In accordance with this law, Northern Illinois University provides eligible undergraduate students a fixed tuition rate for a time period of four continuous academic years beginning with the student’s initial term of enrollment.

Note: This tuition policy is applicable to tuition rates only and does not apply to any fees, surcharges, room and board, or other charges the student may incur as part of the student’s educational expenses at NIU.

Who is an eligible student?

According to the Public Act 93-0228, to be eligible, you must be an Illinois resident, an undergraduate student and seeking a degree for the first time.

Effective fall 2018, NIU extends the Truth-in-Tuition policy to all first-time, degree-seeking undergraduate out-of-state U.S. citizens and permanent resident students that graduated from a U.S. high school.

Who is not eligible for Truth-in-Tuition?

You are not eligible if you are:

  • an international student
  • a graduate student
  • a law student
  • a postgraduate student (i.e., already have a bachelor’s degree)
  • a non-degree student
  • a visiting student
  • a non-graduated secondary school student

Students in these classifications will be charged tuition for each semester according to the current tuition rate schedule. See the tuition, fees and surcharges webpage.

How does Truth-in-Tuition work?

If you are an eligible student and you enroll for the first time at NIU, the tuition rate you are charged in your first fall or spring semester will be the tuition rate for four continuous years, i.e., for eight consecutive fall and spring semesters. If you do not graduate within this four year (eight semester) time period you will receive an additional one academic semester grace period during which the tuition rate schedule charged shall not exceed the rate schedule you were charged at the time you first enrolled at the university as a domestic in-state or domestic out-of-state (effective fall 2018) degree-seeking undergraduate student. This means, the fixed tuition rate is good for nine (9) continuous semesters including the grace period, if you have not completed your degree.

Example

A new student registers at NIU as a domestic, degree-seeking undergraduate in fall 2018 will be charged according to the tuition rates of the 2019 Academic Year (i.e., fall 2018/spring 2019 school year). The student will be charged this same tuition rate schedule (that is no increases in tuition rates) for the following semesters:

  • Year 1: fall 2018 & spring 2019
  • Year 2: fall 2019 & spring 2020
  • Year 3: fall 2020 & spring 2021
  • Year 4: fall 2021 & spring 2022
  • Grace Period: fall 2022

Please Note: Once the clock for the fixed tuition rate starts for a student, it does not stop or restart again. The policy is for nine continuous semesters of time, not for nine semesters of attendance. Thus, the ninth semester remains the ninth semester whether the student attends every semester or not. The purpose behind the law and the policy is to assist parents’/students’ planning for educational costs and for students to complete their degrees in a timely manner.

What if I don't graduate by the end of the ninth semester?

If you still have not completed your degree at the end of the ninth semester, beginning with your 10th semester, you will be subject to a tuition increase that is equivalent to the rate paid by students who entered the university one (1) academic year after the date of your original entry. You will then be eligible to receive this tuition rate for a maximum of three (3) consecutive semesters that is through the end of your 12th semester.

Example

An eligible student registers for the first time in fall 2018. This student will be charged the 2019 Academic Year (fall 2018/spring 2019) tuition rates for nine consecutive semesters. If after these nine semesters the student has not completed his/her degree, beginning with the student’s 10th semester the student will be charged the tuition rate equal to students that entered in the 2020 Academic Year (i.e., fall 2019/spring 2020). If the student has not graduated, they will be eligible to receive this tuition rate for a maximum of three (3) consecutive fall/spring semesters that is through the end of the student’s 12th semester.

    Charged the 2018 Tuition Rate:
  • Year 1: fall 2018 (semester 1) and spring 2019 (semester 2)
  • Year 2: fall 2019 (semester 3) and spring 2020 (semester 4)
  • Year 3: fall 2020 (semester 5) and spring 2021 (semester 6)
  • Year 4: fall 2021 (semester 7) and spring 2022 (semester 8)
  • Grace Period: fall 2022 (semester 9)
    Charged the 2019 Tuition Rate:
  • Year 5: spring 2023 (semester 10)
  • Year 6: fall 2023 (semester 11) and spring 2024 (semester 12)

Please Note: Once the clock for the fixed tuition rate starts for a student, it does not stop or restart again. The policy is for nine continuous semesters of time plus three more continuous semesters of time for a total of 12 continuous semesters of time, not for 12 semesters of attendance. Thus, the 12th semester remains the 12th semester whether the student attends every semester or not.

When do I no longer qualify for Truth-in-Tuition?

If a student graduates anytime prior to the end of the 12 semesters, the student will no longer be eligible for the fixed tuition rate schedule, but will be charged according to their new student classification.

How does the Truth-in-Tuition policy affect students who may start in the summer term?

Summer sessions are not charged against the nine continuous semesters for eligible students. If a student begins enrollment as a new, domestic, degree seeking undergraduate student with the summer term, for the nine continuous semesters this student will receive the fixed tuition rates of the subsequent fall semester and the count of the student’s nine eligible semesters will begin with that fall Semester.

Example

A student is admitted and enrolls for the first time as a new domestic, undergraduate, degree student in summer 2018. This student’s fixed tuition rates and Truth-in-Tuition semester count will begin with fall 2018. The student will, therefore, receive the fixed tuition rates of the 2019 Academic Year (i.e., fall 2018/spring 2019 school year) for nine continuous fall/spring semesters. Fall 2022 will be the student’s grace period or ninth semester. After the student has completed their ninth semester (i.e., fall/spring semester), the tuition rates will increase as indicated above.

Please Note: If you are a out-of-state domestic student starting summer 2018, your Truth-in-Tuition does not begin until fall 2018. For summer 2018 term, you will still be charged out-of-state tuition (engineering majors and all other non-engineering majors).

Is there a limit to the amount of credit hours I can take?

There is no requirement regarding the number of credit hours the student is taking per semester to retain this fixed tuition rate schedule. However, it is strongly recommended that students consider how many credit hours they need for graduation and plan accordingly.

What if I am a transfer student?

Transfer students regardless of the number of credit hours they transfer will receive a fixed tuition rate schedule for the full number of consecutive semesters as indicated above, if needed. The count of these semesters would begin with the first fall or spring semester you enroll at NIU.

Example

A new transfer student registers at NIU as an domestic, degree-seeking undergraduate in spring 2019, the student will be charged according to the tuition rates of the 2019 academic year (i.e., fall 2018/spring 2019 school year). The student will be charged this same tuition rate schedule (with no increases in tuition rates) for the following semesters:

    Charged the 2018 Tuition Rate:
  • Year 1: spring 2019 (semester 1) and fall 2019 (semester 2)
  • Year 2:spring 2020 (semester 3) and fall 2020 (semester 4)
  • Year 3: spring 2021 (semester 5) and fall 2021 (semester 6)
  • Year 4: spring 2022 (semester 7) and fall 2022 (semester 8)
  • Grace Period: spring 2023 (semester 9)
    Charged the 2019 Tuition Rate:
  • Year 5: fall 2023 (semester 10)
  • Year 6: spring 2024 (semester 11) and fall 2024 (semester 12)
How are special programs (i.e. dual admissions and partnership programs) handled?

Undergraduate students in programs such as dual admissions and partnership programs will become eligible for a fixed tuition rate the semester they are admitted and registered as domestic, degree-seeking students at NIU. This means (for purposes of this tuition rate policy) they are treated the same as any other transfer student.

How are breaks in attendance or semester withdrawals handled?

As mentioned above, once the clock for the fixed tuition rate starts for a student, it does not stop or restart again. The policy is for 12 (9 plus 3) continuous semesters of time, not for 12 semesters of attendance. Thus, the ninth semester remains the ninth semester and the 12th semester remains the 12th semester, whether the student attends every semester or not. The purpose behind the law and the policy is for students to complete their degrees in a timely manner.

Example

A student registers as a new domestic, degree-seeking undergraduate in fall 2018 and is eligible for the fixed tuition rate schedule until (and including) fall 2022. At the end of spring 2019, the student is academically dismissed. The student does not return to NIU in fall 2019. In spring 2020, the student applies for and is granted reinstatement. Upon the student’s return in spring 2020, they will be charged according to the 2019 academic year tuition rate schedule (which was the student’s original entry year – fall 2018/spring 2019) and the final semester the student will be eligible for those rates remains fall 2022.

Payments

I'm having trouble making a payment online in MyNIU. What should I do?New
If you are experiencing difficulties making payments online, please try processing the payment using a different web browser other than Chrome (e.g., Firefox) or try clearing your cache in your current browser then try processing the payment again. We are currently working to resolve this issue. If you are still having issues, please contact the DoIT Service Desk.
When are payments due?

Payment of all charges for a term is due one week prior to the start of the term to which the charges apply. Students can pay the full account balance at this time or an amount less than the full amount unless enrolled in the Huskie Installment Plan. Students who pay less than the total amount due by the respective due date will be assessed a monthly late payment fee of 1.08% on the remaining unpaid portion, with a minimum late fee charge of $0.50. View the actual payment due dates on the payment due dates webpage.

Can I make installment payments?

The Huskie Installment Plan (HIP) is a payment option designed to provide budgetary assistance in meeting NIU students' semester educational expenses. Through HIP, instead of making a lump sump payment at the beginning of each term, you can spread your NIU semester expenses over four equal monthly payments. View the Huskie Installment Plan (HIP) page for details.

Will my classes be cancelled if my payment is late?

No. Your classes will not be cancelled for late payments. However, a late payment fee of 1.08% may be assessed to the unpaid balance on your student account if not paid in full by the due date. Also, a Bursar financial hold may be placed on your student account that may prevent registering for classes.

Which credit cards do you accept for payment?

Currently, the Office of the Bursar accepts American Express, Discover and MasterCard for credit card payments via MyNIU. Please view the make a payment webpage for additional information on payments. Please note: A 2.4% convenience fee will be charged for credit/debit card payments. There is no convenience fee for the e-check option.

Account Statements

Can I still get a printed account statement?New

Log in to your MyNIU account. Select the Financial Account tile. Click on View Account Statements (under Account Services). Select the statement you want to print and print as you would in your current browser. 

Current students can still receive a printed account statement by emailing bursar@niu.edu using their student Z-ID email address. Please specify the address where the printed account statement should be mailed. If you do not specify the address, the printed statements will be mailed to your permanent address unless a billing address is on file.

Can I have my printed account statements mailed to someone other than myself?Updated

Yes. You have two options:

  • If you prefer someone else to receive your printed account statements in the mail, an alternative billing address must be established by notifying the Office of the Bursar from your student Z-ID email account.

    Important: If you completed an address change form with the United States Postal Service, this change may override this new alternative billing address. The post office will only deliver your mail to the address you have on file with them. If you have questions, please contact the Office of the Bursar.
  • Through the use of Shared Access, you can grant others access to view your account statements on MyNIU.
I am having difficulty viewing a statement online. What should I do?

Various web browsers have settings that actively block pop-up windows. Perform the following steps in your browser:

Apple Safari

"Block Pop-Up Windows" needs to be unselected. Navigation: Edit > Block Pop-Up Windows (Ctrl + Shift + K)

Firefox

Upon clicking the View Statement link, an Information Bar should display on the screen. Click the "Options" button. Select "Allow Pop-Ups".

Google Chrome

Click the Chrome menu on browser toolbar. Select Settings. Click "Show advanced settings" at bottom. In the "Privacy" section, click the Content settings button. In the Pop-ups section click the "Manage exceptions" button. Type sa.niu.edu to Allow. Click "Done".

Internet Explorer

Upon clicking the View Statement link, an Information Bar should display on the screen. Click the bar. Select "Always Allow Pop-Ups from This Site".

If you continue to have difficulties pulling up the self service account statement, you should contact the DoIT Service Desk at 815-753-8100.

Refunds

Do I need to request a refund of a credit balance?

No. Refunds are automatically processed as eligible credit balances occur. For a more secure and timely refund, direct deposit is encouraged. Otherwise a check will be processed and mailed to your local address. A refund is not sent to your residence hall unless it is added as your local address. If no local address is on file, the check will be mailed to your permanent address. View the refunds webpage for more information.

Can I pick up my refund check?

No. All refund checks are mailed to your local address and are not available for pickup. Refund checks will only be mailed to a residence hall if it is added as your local address. If no local address is on file the check will be mailed to the student's permanent address. For a more secure and timely refund, direct deposit is encouraged. View the setting up and revoking direct deposit how-to guide (PDF) for more information.

Withdrawals

I enrolled at NIU but I decided not to attend this semester. What should I do?

Undergraduates

Contact the college of your major by completing the Undergraduate Procedures for Withdrawing from the Semester. If you signed up for a room with housing, contact the Housing and Residential Services Office at 815-753-1525 to cancel your housing. There will be a cancellation fee added to your account from the Housing and Residential Services Office.

Graduates

Please follow the instructions on the Graduate Student Withdrawal Procedures webpage.

To receive full credit for your tuition and fees, withdraw before the term begins. Merely ceasing to attend classes does not cancel enrollment or qualify you for a reduction of course charges.

How will a course withdrawal/semester withdrawal affect my student account?

You will still need to contact your college office to apply for any withdrawal. The portion of refundable charges paid will be dependent upon the date of withdrawal as determined by your college office. View the Withdrawal Reduction Schedule and select the correct term.

Undergraduates

If you signed up for a room with housing, contact Housing and Residential Services at 815-753-1525 to cancel your housing. There will be a cancellation fee added to your account from Housing and Residential Services.

Graduates

Please follow the instructions on the Graduate Student Withdrawal Procedures webpage.

To receive full credit for your tuition and fees, withdraw before the term begins. Merely ceasing to attend classes does not cancel enrollment or qualify you for a reduction of course charges.

Contact Us

Office of the Bursar
Swen Parson Hall Room 235

Phone: 815-753-1885
Email: Bursar Email Form

Schedule an Appointment

Business Hours

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