Your enrollment fee secures your spot at NIU, provides access to enroll in first semester courses, and covers the costs of the Orientation experience and Week of Welcome (WOW) programming. The first-year enrollment fee is $155.
This fee is automatically posted to your student account after you confirm your intent to enroll in MyNIU. Once paid, the enrollment fee is non-refundable. Learn how to confirm your intent to enroll and pay your enrollment fee >
There is currently no option to waive enrollment fees. Please contact our office at orientation@niu.edu if you need assistance paying your fee.
You can only register for Orientation after you’ve confirmed your intent to enroll and paid your enrollment fee. After you've paid your fee, login to your Next Steps portal to register for Orientation.
Contact Orientation and First Year Programs at orientation@niu.edu to reschedule.
We encourage you to keep your original advising date, as availability of appointments may depend upon your major. Please contact Orientation and First Year Programs at orientation@niu.edu if you need to reschedule.
Once you have paid your enrollment fee, there are no additional student fees to register for Orientation.
First, double-check your NIU email and the email you gave on your application to NIU. Make sure to check your spam and junk folders, too. If it is not there, email us at orientation@niu.edu and we will resend your confirmation.
Placement testing must be completed well before you attend your advising appointment on your Orientation Day. For placement exam information, please visit Testing Services Placement Exams.
Other than completing POP and placement testing, make sure you check your NIU email frequently. Important information is shared weekly to help prepare you for your first semester at NIU, so make time to review the information that is sent to you.
You should also submit a photo ID for your NIU OneCard. You'll receive an email with instructions within a few days of your Orientation Day.
Our Pre-Orientation Program (POP) is a self-guided module introducing many of the topics you’ll explore further at your Orientation Day. You can access this required component of orientation by clicking on the Undergraduate Orientation tile in MyNIU. Make sure to complete POP at least three days before your scheduled Orientation Day! Learn more about navigating MyNIU >
Please fill out our online form to request a change in your major. Major changes may impact orientation advising. We will contact you once you fill out the form if you need to change your Orientation Day.
When selecting your Orientation Day please fill out the “Accommodations” box on the orientation registration form. Make sure to include a comment about the accommodation you will be requesting to let us know what you will need. We recommend contacting us at least two weeks prior to your Orientation Day at 815-753-1535 or at orientation@niu.edu to confirm that your request for accommodations has been received.
You may bring up to two (2) guests with you to your in-person Orientation Day. There is no additional fee for guests. Please note that you'll attend the academic advising portion of orientation on your own. Guests will attend the large group sessions with you, and we’ll have sessions just for them while you attend your advising appointment alone.
We understand you might have family members who want to know more about your transition to NIU but are unable to attend on-campus orientation with you. That's why they'll have the opportunity to complete an online Family Orientation at their convenience. Families can access the Family Resource and Support Guide module in English or in Spanish.
If you sign up for an in-person Orientation Day, you’ll come to campus to attend information sessions that will support you in getting acclimated with important campus departments and key information for your first semester at NIU, a department resource fair and academic advising. You should plan to be on-campus from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
After you’ve registered for your Orientation Day, you’ll begin receiving emails with information about how to prepare for your orientation date. Make sure you check your NIU email frequently. You will receive your advising appointment time during Orientation check-in.
In addition to your Orientation Day, you’re required to complete a Pre-Orientation Program (POP) and Post-Orientation Program (POP 2.0). Don’t forget to complete POP three days before your scheduled orientation day—we recommend starting it at least two weeks before, if possible.
You’ll need to plan to travel to the main NIU campus in DeKalb for Orientation. Once you’ve arrived, we’ve arranged for you to park in central campus at the Visitor Lot, located at 121 Carroll Ave, DeKalb, IL 60115. Just let the attendant know you’re here for Orientation and you will be able to park your car for the day without charge.
Orientation check-in will take place on the ground level of the Holmes Student Center. Look for the sail banners and signs pointing you toward the west-side entrance of the building facing the bus turnaround, just across from Neptune Hall. Check-in will begin at 8 a.m. and all students must be checked in before 8:45 a.m.
If you sign up for a virtual experience, your Orientation Day will include virtual information sessions delivered through Microsoft Teams that will support you in getting acclimated with important campus departments and key information for your first semester at NIU and academic advising. Your formal orientation programming will run from 9 to 11 a.m. Advising appointments will occur between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
In addition to your Orientation Day, you’re required to complete a Pre-Orientation Program (POP) and Post-Orientation Program (POP 2.0). Don’t forget to complete POP three days before your scheduled orientation day—we recommend starting it at least two weeks before.
After you’ve registered for your Orientation Day, you’ll begin receiving emails with information about how to make the most of your virtual orientation programming. An academic advisor from your college will contact you through your NIU student email within three days leading up to your registered Orientation Day to provide you with your advising appointment time.
You’ll meet with your academic advisor on your registered Orientation Day. If you are attending orientation on-campus, you’ll receive your advising appointment time when you check in. If you’re attending a virtual orientation, you can expect an email with information about your virtual advising appointment within the three days leading up to your registered date.
Advising is a scheduled part of your Orientation Day. You will meet with your academic advisor for approximately 30 minutes. It’s a good idea to review the Academic Catalog and review the Academic Planning section within POP. You’ll have access to a computer lab to register for classes during your on-person orientation.
If you’ll be attending orientation virtually, make sure you have access to a computer or laptop for your meeting with your advisor. We do not recommend using your phone for your virtual advising.
All new students must participate in orientation prior to enrolling in classes at Northern Illinois University. In addition to offering an overview of the Huskie experience, orientation introduces the many academic resources and support services available to you. Through your orientation experience, you will meet with your academic advisor, register for your first-semester classes, learn about campus tools and resources and connect with other new students.
The orientation program is of three components and designed to be your first step toward student success at NIU:
We are excited to host students and their families on campus for Orientation. We are offering a select number of virtual Orientation Days for those who cannot or who would rather not participate in an in-person experience. When selecting an Orientation Day, you will have the option to select an in person or virtual date. Our in-person programs follow safety guidelines outlined in Protecting the Pack.
No, proof of COVID-19 vaccination is NOT required for first year students admitted for Summer or Fall 2022 who will be attending orientation this summer.
Yes, all new students are required to complete orientation prior to advising and registration.
Yes, all new students are required to take part in the Orientation experience.
No, but students in the University Honors Program will receive an opportunity to participate in a special session about the program. If you’ll be attending orientation in-person, you’ll meet with Honors as part of your orientation schedule.
If you’ll be attending a virtual orientation day, you’ll be invited to an online video session and chat about the program. These virtual presentations will be offered leading up to orientation. You will also be offered a virtual honors advising meeting on your chosen orientation date — meeting invitations will be sent to your student email account.