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 stepsTransfer Students (Online / Off-Campus)
Joining us online or at an off-campus location? Start here.
View next steps
Still Deciding?
You have until Aug. 15 to confirm your intent to enroll for the fall semester. We can help you compare your financial aid offer, explore programs and find the right fit before you commit.
Explore Your OptionsVisit Campus
See yourself at NIU. Walk through your future residence hall, meet faculty in your program and get your questions answered in person.
Schedule a Daily Campus Visit
Daily visits include a campus tour and an admissions presentation. You can also add a meeting with your academic college on select dates.
Huskie Guides
Quick answers to questions new Huskies ask most. You can also ask Mission, your personal helper bot, anytime — look for the chat icon in the lower right corner of this page.
Log in to MyNIU and select the Financial Aid tile to view your personalized award, including grants, scholarships and loan options. You must accept or decline any offered loans in MyNIU. If you have questions about your offer or your financial situation has changed, contact our Financial Aid and Scholarship Office.
Understanding your financial aid offerYour NIU Z-ID gives you access to MyNIU, student email and all NIU systems. After applying, visit the NIU AccountID activation page, 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 setup through MyNIU 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.
Schedule your orientation advising appointment.Your first fall bill will be available Sept. 9, with payment due Sept. 28. 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
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