Disclosures
We believe it is important to provide students, prospective students, faculty, staff, families and members of the community with easy access to a broad range of information and policies. We have organized this information into categories with links to data, procedures, consumer information, general information about the institution and other required disclosures.
The information listed below is provided in compliance with the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), the Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act and the Student Right to Know Act. Not all university policies, forms or data is listed below. NIU catalogs, handbooks, other publications and websites provide additional information.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) is a federal law that pertains to the release of and access to student educational records. The law protects the rights of students and ensures the privacy and accuracy of education records. Students have a right to review their education records, to request amendment of records, to control the disclosures of personally identifiable information and to file complaints with the Department of Education.
- Accreditation and Affiliations
- Academic programs - listings of each academic college, department and program offered at Northern Illinois University. Information regarding requirements, policies, course offerings, instructional, laboratory and other facilities specific to the program, faculty and instructional personnel will be located on individual program websites.
- Transfer of Credit Policy and Articulation Agreements
- Facilities and Services to Students with Disabilities
- Requirements and Procedures for Withdrawal – under Educational Cost see Refund Policy and Return to Title IV Aid
- Complaint Resolution
Northern Illinois University is committed to building an enhanced campus community and encourages all students to adhere to the Student Code of Conduct. The Northern Pact encompasses principles that outline the expectations of the Northern Illinois University community.
Registering a Complaint with NIU
Links to additional information for student grievances and complaints within NIU are provided below:
- Student Conduct Complaint Reporting
- Student Grievance Process
- Sexual Misconduct (Title IX) Overview
- Sexual Misconduct (Title IX) Incident Report Form
- Undergraduate Grade Appeal
- Graduate Grade Appeal
In addition to the above, all NIU students have access to the Ombudsperson, who provides students with guidance to help solve a variety of university-related issues or conflicts.
Registering a Non-instructional Complaint
The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) is a national initiative that increases student access to distance education courses and programs while maintaining compliance with state regulations. Northern Illinois University is approved to offer online programs under the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) in all U.S. states. For out-of-state students who reside in SARA states (AL, AK, AZ, AR, CO, CT, DE, DC, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MA, ME, MD, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NC, ND, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY) the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) has jurisdiction over Illinois SARA-approved institutions including NIU in relation to non-instructional complaints. Prior to registering a complaint with the IBHE, the student/complainant must make all attempts to resolve the matter directly with the institution.
Illinois Board of Higher Education
The Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) has the responsibility and authority to resolve complaints against Illinois Institutions. Students may file a complaint with the IBHE via the online complaint system.
The Higher Learning Commission
Students may file a complaint with Northern Illinois University’s institutional accrediting body by contacting The Higher Learning Commission.
State of Residence
Students may also file a complaint with their state of residence. State contact information is provided that lists appropriate contacts from each state in which a student may file a complaint.
Enrollment, Retention and Graduation Rates
New Freshman Enrollment
| Fall 2015 | Fall 2016 | Fall 2017 |
|---|---|---|
| 2,235 | 1,784 | 1,831 |
Retention
73 percent of freshman that enrolled for the first time in fall 2016, returned in fall 2017.
| Fall 2014 | Fall 2015 | Fall 2016 |
|---|---|---|
| 72% | 73% | 73% |
Baccalaureate Graduation
23 percent of freshmen who enrolled in fall 2010 completed their degree within four years.
| Fall 2008 | Fall 2009 | Fall 2010 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Years | 25% | 25% | 23% |
| 5 Years | 44% | 44% | 42% |
| 6 Years | 50% | 50% | 47% |
- View licensure/certification exam pass rates for accredited programs.
- Get more information on alumni feedback about employment rates, job preparedness and satisfaction with degree.
Additional Resources
College Navigator
The Department of Education’s National Center for Educational Statistics collects information and statistics from U.S. institutions of higher education. College Navigator is a tool to access and compare information about institutions including general information, expenses, financial aid, net price, enrollment, admissions, retention and graduation rates, programs, varsity athletic Teams, accreditation, campus security and cohort default rates.
- Contact Information for Financial Aid and Scholarships
- Contact Information for Bursar and Student Accounts
- Tuition, Fees and Housing Cost Estimator
- Tuition and Fee Information
- Housing and Residential Services cost information
- Textbook Cost - look up textbook prices, compare prices from other vendors and get the International Standard Book Number (ISBN) by course section. Student registering for courses online through the student center are provided a link to the required textbook(s) with cost and ISBN. This can be reviewed prior to enrolling in course section.
- Helpful information about expected college costs
- Additional, or outside, costs for academic programs
Students in certain programs experience costs from entities that are not part of NIU. Examples include the fee paid for a criminal background check required for students seeking teacher certification, the fee charged for taking a state administered test or the fees for immunizations required for students in the nursing program. Many programs have no or minimal miscellaneous or outside costs. If a program has material outside costs, those costs are listed on the website for the program.
- Nursing (PDF)
- Outside fees related to testing for Educator Licensure
- Some colleges have been approved to charge additional "material fees." These fees are charged per course for special materials specific to the course. All associated costs are reflected on the student's financial account via MyNIU. For additional information on any material fee, please contact the department that is offering the course of study.
- Refund Policy – Under "General Information" also see "Withdrawal Policy"
- Return of Title IV Aid for students who withdraw from the university
- Federal, state, institutional and private financial aid programs including eligibility requirements, terms and conditions
- How to apply for financial aid
- Student’s Financial Aid Rights and Responsibilities
- Information regarding financial aid disbursement
- Student Loan Information
- Loan entrance counseling
- Loan exit counseling
- NIU is required to report all Title IV HEA student loans to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). This information will be accessible to guaranty agencies, lenders, other higher education institutions at which you apply for financial aid and other authorized users of the data system.
- Private loan information
- Financial aid for Study Abroad
- Criteria for continued eligibility for financial aid – Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
- Conviction for possession or sale of illegal drugs and federal financial aid eligibility
- Other important resources and information for grants, loans and the application process
- Copyright Policy and Standards of Conduct
- Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention
- NIU annually distributes to each student and employee standards of conduct that clearly prohibit the unlawful possession, use or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees on the institution’s property or as part of any the institution’s activities, applicable legal sanctions, health risks, available counseling, treatment, rehabilitation programs and the institution’s sanctions for violation of the related standards of conduct.
Any coeducational institution of higher education that participates in a federal student aid program and has an intercollegiate athletics program is required to publish an annual Equity in Athletics Report. This report contains participation rates, financial support, academic success rate and other information on its men's and women's intercollegiate athletic programs. This report is available from the Equity in Athletics page on the Office of Postsecondary Education website. The graduation rate of NIU athletes can be found on the NCAA website.
- Learn more about Illinois Voter Registration
- If not an Illinois resident, use the National Voter Registration Form