Welcome to Our Huskie Family
We're proud to call you one of our newest Huskies. Whether you're ready to confirm or still weighing your options, here's everything you need to take your next step.
Get Started
First-Year Students (Freshmen)
Enrolling for the first time? Find your next steps here.
View Next Steps for first-year studentsTransfer Students (Main Campus)
Transferring to NIU? Here's what to do next.
View Next Steps for main campus transfer studentsTransfer Students (Online or Off-Campus)
Joining us online or at an off-campus location? Start here.
View Next Steps for online and off-campus transfer studentsVisit Campus
See yourself at NIU. Walk through your future residence hall, meet faculty in your program and get your questions answered in person.
Admitted Huskie Fridays
Join us for one of our Admitted Huskie Fridays to learn about your next steps in enrolling, tour campus and connect with faculty and current students.
See Upcoming DatesSchedule a Daily Campus Visit
Can't make it on a Friday? Daily visits include a campus tour and an admissions presentation. You can also add a meeting with your academic college on select dates.
Schedule Your VisitHuskie Guides
Quick answers to questions new Huskies ask most. You can also ask Mission, your personal helper bot, anytime. Just look for the chat icon in the lower right corner of this page.
Your NIU Z-ID gives you access to your Next Steps Portal, MyNIU, your student email and all NIU systems. After applying, visit the NIU AccountID activation page and provide your Z-ID, the personal email address you used on your application and your birthdate. You will receive a link to set a temporary password, then complete your setup using your student email (ZID@students.niu.edu). Contact the DoIT Service Desk at 815-753-8100 with any questions.
Full account activation instructionsNIU has several residence halls to fit different lifestyles and budgets. Patterson Complex is the most popular option, featuring cluster-style living with minisuites where you share a restroom with just one other roommate. Grant and Stevenson towers offer modern 12-story living with OneCard door access. Neptune Hall is conveniently located near the Holmes Student Center and is known for its fireplace lounge. Use the compare tool to review room types, rates and amenities side by side.
Compare residence halls and ratesBefore your first semester, you will schedule a virtual orientation advising appointment through your Next Steps portal. This 45-minute one-on-one session covers your degree requirements, placement results, prior credits and first-semester course registration. To prepare, complete any required placement exams, submit official transcripts and download Microsoft Teams before your appointment. If you need to reschedule, log back in to your Next Steps portal.
Learn more about first-year advisingYour first fall bill will be available after the start of the semester. You can pay online by credit card or electronic check, or spread your payments over three or four months with our Huskie Installment Plan. Make sure to set up direct deposit in MyNIU so any refund reaches you quickly.
Review the Bursar ChecklistShare Your Huskie Pride
Download graphics for Facebook and social media, or grab a yard sign to show #HuskiePride at home.
