Northern Illinois University
Division of Student Affairs

Examples of expenses that can be covered include:

• Technology needs to complete online courses, including laptops, printers and scanners, software, access to WiFi, expansion of data plans, etc.
• Books and other essential academic supplies
• Basic personal needs such as emergency housing, food, toiletries and transportation
• Emergency medical, dental or mental health expenses not covered by insurance (ie. eyeglasses, medication, emergency/unexpected procedure)
• Childcare needs
• Costs to travel home unexpectedly, travel to and from work or for educational purposes
• Travel related to the death or emergency of an immediate family member
• Safety-related needs, including the needs of victims of domestic violence
• Replacement of belongings lost in a fire or natural disaster
• Basic utilities

Types of expenses generally not covered include:

• Tuition, fees, health insurance, study abroad costs and outstanding debt to the university
• Campus housing
• Health insurance costs
• Non-emergency medical-related expenses
• Non-essential costs, such as those for entertainment, recreation and non-emergency travel
• Non-essential utilities (cable costs not associated with WiFi)
• Parking tickets and traffic fines
• Technology not related to education (gaming systems)

Questions?

Contact the Center for Student Assistance at studentassistance@niu.edu or 815-753-8300.

Interested in donating?

Please visit the NIU Foundation’s Student Emergency Fund Donation Page.