Your place as a parent or family member to find out what’s happening at Northern Illinois University.

NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY

HUSKIE

 FAMILY NEWSLETTER

Victor E. Huskie
 
 

October 2026

Welcome to the Huskie Family Newsletter, your place as a parent or family member to find out what’s happening at Northern Illinois University.

We encourage you to also check out our Student Life at NIU website where you’ll find helpful information to share with your student.

NIU's 119th Homecoming

🏰 Homecoming 2026

NIU's 119th Homecoming Celebration is underway and we're so excited to see Huskies and their families here for the festivities this week. It's a great opportunity to connect with your student, explore our campus and community, and make some new memories.

Be sure to check out our Homecoming calendar of events to see what interests you while you're here. Our annual Block Party in downtown DeKalb is always a great time, plus you can take a campus tour, visit Jonamac Orchard, tailgate for the football game, along with many more family-friendly activities. We look forward to seeing you, soon.

Fun fact: NIU has more than 251,000 alumni in 150 countries!

FAFSA update

The 2027-28 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now open. Students should visit the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office for assistance completing their FAFSA or Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid.

All students eligible for financial aid who plan to enroll next year should complete a new FAFSA each year, as soon as possible, to be considered for the maximum amount of financial aid.

Our Financial Aid and Scholarship Office is open every weekday, excluding holidays and university closures, and offers virtual appointments. Your student may visit go.niu.edu/SFAS to schedule an appointment.

 

📌 THINGS TO KNOW

 
Huskies Get Hired

Huskies Get Hired

We recommend that students check out internship options as early as their first year to gain career-related skills and connections that will help them find a full-time job in the future.

Encourage your student to log in to their Huskies Get Hired account – a free, online tool that connects them with jobs, internships and career resources. From there, they will be able to start exploring paid and unpaid opportunities to make the most of their NIU experience.

Students may contact careerservices@niu.edu for additional information.

Counseling

The October blues can be a real thing for students as the first semester of college fully gets going. NIU Counseling and Consultation Services offers comprehensive mental health support from trained professionals as well as online options for students.

Whether it's homesickness, midterm stress, relationship struggles or something else, we are here for your student. Please share with them that this service is available to them at NIU should they need it.

Food for thought

When your student has a lot on their plate, we want them to make sure they have enough on their plate.

Students may visit the Huskie Food Pantry, grab a ready-to-heat meal from Huskie Harvest or pick some fresh produce from the Edible Campus gardens to make sure they are feeding their mind and maintaining energy as they continue to work toward their goals.

Begin preparing for class registration

Now is the time for your student to start preparing to register for spring 2027 classes. Read the tips below and help them learn when to register and how to register for classes. Some advice to pass along to your student:

  1. Meet with their advisor.
    Your student's advisor is here to make sure they are heading in the right direction and staying on track to graduation. They can help answer your student's questions and point them to available resources. 

    Your student can schedule an advising appointment through the Navigate Student platform by clicking "Appointments" and then selecting the "Advising" service, or they may contact our academic advising office to learn more about their options. Remote advising options are available, including virtual video conferences, phone calls, NIU emails and IM chats.
     
  2. Log in to MyNIU and Navigate Student.
    In MyNIU, your student can check the date and time they are able to register for classes, also known as the registration timeslot (Manage Classes/Registration Timeslots.)

    In Navigate Student, your student can review a list of important, time-sensitive to-do items related to registering for classes.

    In both MyNIU and Navigate Student, they can see any holds on their account that may prevent them from registering for classes.
 

🗓 IMPORTANT DATES

 

October 5-11:

  • NIU's 119th Homecoming Celebration

October 15:

  • Fall 2026 Graduate and Professional School Fair

October 18:

  • End of the first half of the fall semester

October 19:

  • Early voting at Holmes Student Center
View the NIU Academic Calendar →
 

🐾 MEET A HUSKIE

 
Shivani Patel

Shivani Patel, Nursing major

Why is a college education important to you?

"A college education is very important to me because I’m a first-generation college student. My parents never got the opportunity to attend college, and my whole life they told me to focus on school. I have a natural passion for learning new things, and I love my major, which makes me enjoy school so much more."

 

📣 HUSKIE PRIDE!

 
NIU welcoming its most academically talented freshman class

NIU welcomes its most academically talented freshman class on record

NIU this fall welcomed one of its largest freshman classes over the past decade and its most academically talented class on record, while maintaining healthy reenrollment rates among returning students, reflecting the institution’s continued focus on student success.

Read the story at NIU Today →
Meghann Abell Cefaratti

Meghann Abell Cefaratti named Illinois CPA Society Outstanding Educator of the Year

Great professors don’t just teach the material — they make you want to learn it. For Accountancy Professor Meghann Abell Cefaratti, that ability to spark curiosity, connect with students and make an impact beyond the classroom has earned her another well-deserved title.

Read the story at NIU Today →
Molly Pasley

Molly Pasley’s return to Thailand offers sharing of practice in visual disabilities

Pasley was in Thailand from June 29 through July 10, spending time at six different locations, including schools for the blind, schools for people with multiple disabilities and vocational education centers.

Read the story at NIU Today →
 
Northern Illinois University logo

This message is approved for distribution by the appropriate NIU party and is distributed by the Division of Enrollment Management, Marketing and Communications. NIU Mass Email Policy.

Northern Illinois University's vision is to be an engine for innovation to advance social mobility; promote personal, professional and intellectual growth; and transform the world through research, artistry, teaching and outreach. Learn more about NIU’s vision, mission and values.

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Your place as a parent or family member to find out what’s happening at Northern Illinois University.

NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY

HUSKIE

 FAMILY NEWSLETTER

Victor E. Huskie
 
 

September 2026

Welcome to the Huskie Family Newsletter, your place as a parent or family member to find out what’s happening at Northern Illinois University.

We encourage you to also check out our Student Life at NIU website where you’ll find helpful information to share with your student.

Northern Illinois University's DeKalb campus

❤️ Family Weekend is here! 

Huskie families, we can't wait to see you on campus in DeKalb Sept. 11-13 for Family Weekend. It's a great opportunity to reconnect with your student and learn more about their everyday life at NIU.

Check out our calendar of events to find out what's happening. With apple picking, a 5K, a free movie screening and more, there's something for everyone on Family Weekend.

Also, plan to cheer on the NIU Football team as our Huskies take on ISU at 6 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 12 at Huskie Stadium. You may purchase your tickets online in advance — use the promo code FAMILY26 for discounted tickets.

Student health insurance

Students taking nine or more credit hours will automatically be billed $1,419.50 for student health insurance for fall 2026. If your student has comparable insurance and would like to cancel the plan, the Student Health Insurance Enrollment and Waiver site is open through Wednesday, Sept. 30. This is an online process only.

We recommend completing the waiver no later than Sunday, Sept. 20 to allow for any errors that may occur. The Sept. 30 deadline is firm and students who do not waive the student health insurance by that date will be enrolled for coverage and no refund will be given. 
 
Please contact studentinsurance@niu.edu with questions, thank you.

 

THINGS TO KNOW

 
Connect with NIU.

We are here to help your student succeed

If your student needs help with a class, writing assignment, study skills, time management or getting back on track, they don't have to figure it out alone. The Huskie Academic Success Center (HASC) provides support and resources for NIU students. Appointments and drop-in services are available.

Students can complete this short form to connect with a HASC team member or visit the HASC website to learn more about what is available. We encourage you to encourage your student to take advantage of this free resource!

Attendance matters

There is a direct link between going to a class and doing well in it. Regular class attendance also helps students connect with professors, fellow students and campus resources. By prioritizing attendance, your student will stay on track to reach their academic and career goals. Going to class helps your student:

  • Retain more than they would learning on their own.
  • Show professors that class is important to them.
  • Maximize their investment in their education.
  • Receive extra points for good attendance (given by some teachers).
  • Avoid missing a pop quiz or falling behind.

Huskie 3-2-1

We are so glad your student is here at NIU and want to help make sure their first year is a success.

To help them stay on track for graduation, Huskie 3-2-1 is our simple, three-step checklist we recommend students complete in their first two semesters.

  • Complete English requirements.
  • Complete the COMS 100 speech course.
  • Earn at least 24 credit hours.

Our academic support services offices are here to help and answer any questions students may have.

Campus safety and security

Your student's safety is a top priority at NIU. The NIU Department of Police and Public Safety is composed of sworn officers and support staff who protect and serve our campus community.

All NIU email addresses are automatically enrolled in the university's safety notification system. To receive text messages, students must provide a mobile phone number through MyNIU. Students may register up to two additional contacts to receive NIU Alerts.

Visit our website to learn more about subscribing to safety notifications including NIU Alerts and the NIU Safe app, plus additional public safety information.

 

IMPORTANT DATES

 

Sept. 11-13:

  • Family Weekend

Sept. 19:

  • STEM Fest 2026

Sept. 30:

  • Fall 2026 All-majors Internship and Job Fair

Oct. 5-11:

  • NIU Homecoming
View the NIU Academic Calendar →
 

MEET A HUSKIE

 
Taoheed Adeoye

Kyla Reisenbichler, Music major

How have you benefited by attending class regularly?

"Attending class regularly not only helps me understand the material better, but it makes me motivated to get up each day and be as productive as I can. Attending class regularly also helps to get my questions answered. Asking questions in class to gain a better understanding is something I would 100% recommend."

 

HUSKIE PRIDE!

 
Innovation Award

Removing barriers: Biagio Palese receives David W. Raymond Award for Use of Technology in Teaching

Necessity sparks invention, and operations management and information systems associate professor Biagio Palese knows that better than most. He was recently recognized with the 2026 David W. Raymond Award for Use of Technology in Teaching after improving student success with a unique technological solution.

Read the story at NIU Today →
Transfer Honor Roll

Through an NIU partnership, middle school students took the lead on a professional design project, building essential employability skills

At Custom Aluminum Products, middle school students took the lead on a project to design, manufacture and sell a new aluminum table and bench set. The program was part of a partnership between the Genoa-based company and NIU STEAM, in the NIU Division of Outreach, Engagement and Regional Development.

Read the story at NIU Today →
Alyssa Harris, Ph.D.

NIU Athletics named finalist for NACDA Community Service Award

NIU’s Student Athlete Academic Support Services has been recognized for organizing impactful civic initiatives for NIU student athletes and was named a top-three finalist for the 2026 NACDA Community Service Award presented by the Fiesta Bowl.

Read the story at NIU Today →
 
Northern Illinois University logo

This message is approved for distribution by the appropriate NIU party and is distributed by the Division of Enrollment Management, Marketing and Communications. NIU Mass Email Policy.

Northern Illinois University's vision is to be an engine for innovation to advance social mobility; promote personal, professional and intellectual growth; and transform the world through research, artistry, teaching and outreach. Learn more about NIU’s vision, mission and values.

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