Dependent Waiver

If you're a current employee or retiree, your children (under 25 years of age) may qualify for a 50% tuition waiver. Note, if both you and your child's other parent work at NIU, your child is still only eligible for a 50% waiver.

Eligibility Requirements

• To be eligible for this benefit as an employee you must be an active employee and you must have a minimum of 7 cumulative years of full-time employment at 50% or more FTE at an Illinois Public University.
• The dependent must be under 25 years of age at the start of the semester you are applying to use the benefit.
• If you are a NIU retiree, your children are eligible for a 50% tuition waiver for classes at NIU only.
• The dependent must maintain satisfactory academic progress toward graduation to continue receiving the waiver.
• The dependent waiver covers undergraduate level classes only.
• To be able to process an application the student must be registered and enrolled in classes.
• NIU requires a tuition waiver application for each semester/summer session that you are requesting usage of this benefit.
• If you are a NIU employee, if your child attends a reciprocal university and they do not require a waiver each semester, you must still complete a tuition waiver because NIU's policy requires one for eligibility verification.
• For a tuition waiver to be processed, the employee and student must meet all eligibility requirements and the application be submitted by the deadline for each semester/summer session.

Number of Classes

Waivers are available during the fall and spring semesters for a maximum total benefit of eight semesters. In addition, a maximum total benefit of four summer sessions are available.

Covered Costs

• The 50% tuition waiver is applied to instructional tuition only. Differential tuition (associated with engineering, nursing and computer science programs), fees and charges other than tuition are not included in the employer contribution..
  • Refer to "Class Notes" or "Finances" in MyNIU to see fees related to a particular course.
  • See Waivers and Scholarships for more information.
  • For a listing of common charges that students may incur at NIU see Fees and Common Charges (this is not an inclusive list).

Exceptions

• Study Abroad courses do not qualify for a tuition waiver.
• The waiver may not be applied to noncredit or graduate/professional academic programs.
• The course must be billed through the bursar to be eligible for a tuition waiver.

How to Apply

Complete the Dependent 50% Tuition Waiver (PDF).

Students attending NIU should submit your completed application by the following deadlines:

• March 1 - (Spring semester)
• July 15 - (Summer semester)
• October 1 - (Fall semester)

Students attending a reciprocal institution should submit their completed application based upon the reciprocal institution’s deadlines.