The Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) are federal dollars intended to help colleges and universities enroll and retain low-income, underrepresented and first-generation students, who might otherwise not enroll or return to school because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
We considered undergraduates who were enrolled in Fall 2022; had high financial need, low-income level; and in good academic standing. Students who met these criteria received awards to pay down their account balances prior to Fall 2022 to support their enrollment and retention.
We did not issue direct payments to students; instead, funds were applied directly toward outstanding student account balances.
Either you did not meet the eligibility criteria mandated by the government and university or you were not enrolled this semester.
If you believe that you were eligible and did not receive an award, please contact Financial Aid and Scholarship Office at finaid@niu.edu. If you weren’t eligible, there is no process to appeal the eligibility criteria. GEER funds were limited, and we do not expect to be able to provide another program like this in the future.
We know that many of our students are facing financial stress. You may reach out to the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office at finaid@niu.edu to make sure your aid is in order and/or to review additional loan options, or contact the Bursar’s Office at bursar@niu.edu if you need to make payment arrangements.
You may reach out to the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office at finaid@niu.edu to make sure your aid is in order and/or to review additional loan options.