Authority for NIU’s appropriated operating budget request resides with the Board of Trustees. Accordingly, each year, the university seeks board approval of the overall level of state funding sought for the upcoming fiscal year. The approved amount is recognized as the university’s formal budget request throughout the State of Illinois budget development process, including submissions to the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) and the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget (GOMB). Staff also use this request when developing the university’s detailed internal budget and other budgetary reports requested from the Illinois General Assembly.
The GOMB process requests the university prepare three budgets based on proposed funding scenarios. For the FY26 appropriations request, the proposed scenarios included flat funding from the state, funding required to maintain our current level of services and funding required to add additional programs. Ultimately, the appropriations given to NIU are determined by the general assembly.
On Nov. 7, 2024, the Board of Trustees Finance, Audit, Compliance, Facilities and Operations Committee approved the university’s recommendation to request a base operating funding of $118 million for FY26. The basis for this request was last year’s base request of $113.4 million adjusted by the 2024 Higher Ed Price Index inflationary factor of 4%. An additional $2.2 million is requested to support the new initiatives specified in the appropriations request. The total operating and initiative funding requested is $120.2 million.
University leadership submits its proposed appropriation budget request to the NIU Board of Trustees and the IBHE for the next fiscal year. The submission is based on the university’s evolving needs and other market considerations. The IBHE then factors the university’s request into its budget recommendations to the governor. The governor considers the IBHE recommendations as a part of determining the overall budget for the State of Illinois.
The governor of Illinois releases the proposed state budget for the upcoming fiscal year. NIU then uses these projected figures to develop the university’s budget.
NIU leadership presents the university’s budgetary needs by testifying before the House and Senate appropriations committees in Springfield. These testimonies help inform legislative budget negotiations.
University divisions, colleges and units formulate and/or revise their budgets based on projected funding in the governor’s budget, projected tuition, fee and other revenues and university priorities.
The Illinois General Assembly approves a budget bill which is then sent to the governor’s office for signature.
The governor signs the budget bill into law, enacting it for the upcoming fiscal year. The NIU Board of Trustees reviews and adopts the university’s final proposed budget for the next fiscal year.
Fiscal year begins and the new budget is implemented.
The state appropriation is distributed to NIU throughout the fiscal year, with most of the appropriation received by December and the remainder in the spring semester.
Have ideas or suggestions related to NIU’s finances and multiyear budgeting goals?
Please email budgetandplanning@niu.edu.