Financial Aid and Scholarship Office
Updates and Reminders
FAFSA submitted after April 25? Your aid offer may be delayed.
A U.S. Department of Education system update on April 26 paused FAFSA record loading at colleges and universities nationwide; other federal updates have resulted in additional delays. If you submitted your 2026-27 FAFSA on or after April 26, your financial aid offer may not be available until August. Financial aid offers for graduate and law students will also be delayed until August. We will process applications as quickly as possible and will email your offer to your NIU student email account when it is available. Check your MyNIU To Do List regularly for any outstanding requirements.
If you have questions or concerns about how this delay may affect your enrollment plans, contact us at finaid@niu.edu or 815-753-1395.
Federal Student Aid Changes
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act introduces major changes to federal loans and aid eligibility starting July 1, 2026. Whether you’re a student or a parent, now is the time to understand how these changes may affect you.
- New annual and lifetime limits on Parent PLUS and GradPLUS loans for new borrowers
- Current income-driven repayment plans (IBR, PAYE, SAVE) are being eliminated
- Updates to Pell Grant and FAFSA asset exemption rules take effect for 2026-2027
Admitted to NIU?
Compare your aid offer, explore programs and find the right fit before you commit.
Huskie Spotlight
I was very worried about how I would be paying for school, especially since I am a first-generation student. I am beyond grateful for the endless opportunities the academic scholarship I received has given me and will continue to give me during my time at NIU.
Contact Us
Financial Aid and Scholarship OfficeSwen Parson Hall 245
815-753-1395
finaid@niu.edu
For scholarship-specific questions
scholarships@niu.edu
NIU School Code
Use NIU's School Code when completing the FAFSA.
001737
Share financial information with parents, family or guests with MyNIU Shared Access.