Academic Policies

Military-connected students at NIU have specific rights related to coursework and class absences. This page explains those rights, what to do to exercise them and where to get help. For questions about VA education benefits and payment, see Veteran Educational Benefits.

Completing Classwork Missed for Drill or Military Obligations

Section 15 of the Illinois Public Higher Education Act (110 ILCS 167/15), added by Public Act 103-0871 and effective Jan. 1, 2025, requires public institutions of higher education in Illinois to adopt a policy allowing eligible students to submit classwork and complete any other class assignments missed because the student was participating in a drill or other military obligation required as a member of the National Guard or a reserve component.

This provision applies to students who are members of:

• The National Guard of any state, the District of Columbia, a commonwealth or a territory of the United States
• Any reserve component of the U.S. armed forces

NIU implements this requirement through the Course Syllabus Policy, which requires instructors to include a statement about military service in every course syllabus. The right applies whether or not the statement appears in your syllabus.

What to Do

• Notify your instructor as soon as you are able. Advance notice is not required in order to exercise this right, but early notice makes it easier to plan the work.
• Keep a copy of your orders or drill schedule.
• Contact Military and Veteran Services at 815-753-0691 or mss@niu.edu if you have difficulty arranging to complete missed work.

This provision is separate from disability-related accommodations. You do not need to register with the Disability Resource Center to complete classwork missed for a military obligation.

Academic Credit for Military Training and Experience

Under NIU's Undergraduate Credit for Prior Learning Policy, students with military experience are awarded academic credit based on the credit recommendations in the American Council on Education (ACE) Military Guide. Credit is awarded for training and occupations that are directly applicable to your degree program, so the amount of credit you receive depends on the program you enter.

Undergraduate students may also earn up to 30 credits toward degree requirements through prior learning portfolio assessment, which is evaluated by faculty in the department that owns the course.

What to Know Before You Plan

• Credit awarded for prior learning does not count toward the enrollment residence requirement of at least 30 of your final 60 credit hours in NIU coursework.
• Credit NIU awards through prior learning assessment may not transfer to another college or university.
• Prior learning credit is recorded as CR on your transcript and does not affect your GPA.

To find out how your training may apply to your program, see the Undergraduate Catalog, contact Military and Veteran Services at 815-753-0691 or mss@niu.edu, or talk with your academic advisor.