Have you completed your 2025-26 FAFSA?

The 2025-26 FAFSA will be is now available. Visit the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office for assistance completing your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid. All students eligible for financial aid who plan to enroll next year should complete a new FAFSA or Alternative Application each year, as soon as possible, to be considered for the maximum amount of financial aid. 

Huskies, we are here to help you succeed! This spring, you have new opportunities to gain knowledge, skills and professional connections to position yourself for early career success. Career Readiness Week events are scheduled for the week of April 7-11 to boost your career preparations. More than 60 employers are scheduled to be involved.

Visit our Student Life website for tips for getting a head start on your career, while you’re a student at NIU.

Register early to attend these Career Readiness Week events:

Tuesday, April 8: Career Success Clinic: Résumé, Cover Letter, LinkedIn Profile Reviews
Thursday, April 10: Alumni Mock Interview Day: Interview with Confidence

Thank a Professor

Huskies, here is your opportunity to say “thank you” to a professor who’s made a difference in your life at NIU. It only takes a minute or two to fill out our Thank a Professor form. Your comments will be shared anonymously on the NIU website and with the professor you mention.

Proposals now being accepted for 118th Homecoming grants. 

Proposals are now being accepted for our 118th Homecoming Grant Competition.

Do you have an idea for a homecoming event that you would like to see on campus, or want to enhance an existing homecoming event? The Homecoming Executive Committee invites all students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members to submit formal proposals for review! Our 118th Homecoming celebration will take place the week of Sept. 28 through Oct. 5, 2025. The deadline to submit a grant proposal is Friday, April 4, 2025.

Now is the time to start preparing to register for summer and fall 2025 classes. Read the tips below and learn when to register and how to register for classes. 

1. If you have not met with your advisor, do so. They are here to help you.

2. Log in to MyNIU and Navigate Student.

NIU faculty, staff and students are invited to attend open forums with the finalists for dean of the Graduate School.

Open forum sessions with the candidates will be in person with a virtual attendance option, and are as follows:

Information on the search committee is available on the NIU website. CV information for the candidates will be available within 48 hours of their interviews.

The Graduate School partners with graduate faculty to provide leadership in the advancement of graduate education through strategic graduate enrollment management and student success initiatives.

Lambda Sigma is specifically for second-year NIU students. We’re now accepting applications from
first-year students who have completed at least 12 semester hours (but no more than 36 semester hours) with a minimum 3.00 GPA. To be considered for membership in the 2025-2026 chapter, please complete our online application. The application opens March 25 and closes April 11. 

To nominate students for Lambda Sigma or for more information, contact advisor Connie Storey at cstorey2@niu.edu.

The Presidential Commission on Race and Ethnicity (PCORE) announces its call for nominations for the 2025 Deacon Davis Awards. This award recognizes significant contributions made by students, faculty, staff, departments or organizations to the improvement in the climate and conditions for racial and ethnic groups on Northern Illinois University's campus. Learn more. 

Nominations are due Monday, March 31, 2025. Submit your nomination.

Kick-off and celebrate philanthropy with the NIU Foundation and on-campus community during Huskies United, NIU’s annual day of giving.

JOIN US IN THE OASIS IN THE HOLMES STUDENT CENTER

Special appearances, photo & video booths and more! 

Step inside our cash grab at Huskie Headquarters to snag as many dollars as possible to donate to the fund of your choice.

Think you have what it takes to send something to the edge of space? Proxima Centauri Alpha, NIU’s exclusive, honorary STEM society, is hosting the $100 Space For All Challenge — and participation is open to everyone at NIU.

The challenge is simple: Submit an idea for a lightweight item to be attached to our weather balloon, launching into the stratosphere in May 2025. The winning idea will receive $100 in cash from our organization. Submitting takes less than five minutes via the attached Google Form.

Deadline: Midnight, March 27, 2025.
Winner Selection: Our executive board will vote at our private meeting on March 28, 2025.

For those unfamiliar, Proxima Centauri Alpha is an elite STEM society officially recognized by NIU. It is open only to STEM majors with a minimum 3.50 GPA and subject to approval by our officers.

Submit your idea today and leave your mark — only one will reach space.

Children needed for autism research study.

Children between 3 and 12 years of age, with or without a diagnosis of autism, are needed to participate in a research study exploring how autistic and non-autistic children produce words, walk, and use their hands. Eligible participants will complete a one-hour session and will receive a small toy for their participation. 

Interested in having your child participate in the study? Please contact our NIU Research team at GaitStudy@niu.edu or complete an interest form. 

Our research lab is located in the NIU Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic in DeKalb. For more information, you may also visit our website at niu.edu/huskieslab/participate/index.shtml.

Presidential Commissions seek student members.

The Office of the President invites undergraduate and graduate students to serve on Presidential Commissions, advising on key campus issues. As a member, you'll share student perspectives, collaborate with faculty and staff, and build leadership and problem-solving skills that enhance your academic experience and are highly valued by employers.

Help create a more inclusive and accessible NIU—nominate yourself or a peer today!

NIU Presidential Commission Application

Explore the Presidential Advisory Groups website for more details and insights into the commissions.  

Win a $50 Amazon gift card for completing a survey!

Researchers in the Psychology Department need your help with a study about young adults’ relationships with their parents! Complete a survey sharing your experiences and earn an entry into a drawing for a $50 Amazon gift card.

The more students who participate, the more gift cards we will give out, so tell your friends! Anyone age 18 to 29 can participate. Up to 20 gift cards worth $50 each are available!

Register to present at CURE.

The Conference on Undergraduate Research and Engagement (CURE) provides NIU undergraduate students from all colleges with the opportunity to showcase their research, artistry or engagement projects they are completing or have completed. These can be part of a capstone or senior project; community engagement project or course; independent study; or funded research and artistry program through posters and exhibits for a chance to place in their respective award category. CURE is the culminating event for Undergraduate Research month and will mark NIU's 15th year of highlighting the contributions undergraduate students have had on the knowledge in interdeisciplinary fields, communities and society.

This year's event will be held in person at the Holmes Student Center  Tuesday, April 29, 2025. Presenter registration is open until March 25, 2025.