Eligibility for State and Federal Student Financial Aid
In special circumstances, you may request a re-evaluation of your eligibility for financial aid.
Who is Eligible?
- Citizens of the United States.
- U.S. permanent residents who have an Alien Registration Receipt Card (I-551).
- Conditional permanent residence (I-551C).
- Other eligible non-citizens with an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) from the Department of Homeland Security showing any one of the following designations:
- Refugee
- Asylum Granted
- Parole (I-94 confirms paroled for a minimum of one year and status has not expired)
- Cuban-Haitian Entrant
Who is Not Eligible?
- Students who are in the U.S. on an F1 or F2 student visa, or on a J1 or J2 exchange visitor visa, or a G series visa (pertaining to international organizations).
- Students enrolled at NIU who are currently under the "visiting student" status.
- Students who are neither U.S. citizens nor eligible non-citizens.
- Students who are in default of student loans.
- Students incarcerated in a prison facility.
- Students convicted for the possession or sale of illegal drugs for an offense that occurred while you were receiving federal student aid (such as grants, loans, or work-study)
Enrollment Specifications
Financial Aid is based on full-time enrollment. Students should consult with their financial aid counselor prior to adjusting their academic load to less than full-time (12 credit hours) as this change in status may impact their financial aid.
Attending NIU and another institution at the same time
Students can receive financial aid at NIU while concurrently enrolled at other institutions.
Attending another school for a semester
The following resources are available to NIU Students who will be attending another school for a semester and are looking for ways to help fund that semester of education.
