Financing Your Education
Student Financial Aid
Undocumented students are not eligible for Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA). However, U.S. citizen students whose parents are undocumented are eligible to complete the FAFSA as long as parents file income taxes with an ITIN. For additional information, contact NIU's Financial Aid and Scholarship Office and request a staff member with expertise in working with U.S. citizen students of undocumented parents.
On Jan. 1, 2020, the RISE Act went into effect. If you're an undocumented or transgender student, the act allows you to apply for institutional aid and MAP grants with the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid, instead of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You must meet eligibility requirements.
Learn about RISE Act eligibility and how to apply.
Institutional aid is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. MAP grants are awarded based on a combination of need and satisfactory academic progress.
Each student's situation is unique. If you're an undocumented student, we encourage you to set up an appointment with Sandy López, slopez1@niu.edu. We strongly recommend you not to fill out the FAFSA.
Additional Documents/Required Information
For students:
- Personal email address
- SSN for transgender applicants (if applicable)
- List of colleges you would like to attend
- Bank statements (if applicable)
- Records of untaxed income (if applicable)
For parents:
- Personal email address
- Dates of birth
- Date of marriage, separation, divorce or other change in marital status
- 2018 federal income tax returns
- W-2s
- Child support paid or received
- Bank statements and records of investments (if applicable)
- Records of untaxed income (if applicable)
Are you an Illinois high school senior graduating in May? Have an overall GPA of 3.0 or above? This is open to undocumented students who meet the eligibility requirements.
You could pay no tuition costs or general fees your first year at NIU — and potentially beyond.
That's our Huskie Pledge to you. The Huskie Pledge starts fall of 2020. Check out the eligibility requirements for this exciting new grant program.
Scholarships available spring 2020:
NIU
- DREAM Action NIU
- NIU DREAM Scholarship (DOCX)
- Robert Marcelin Memorial Scholarship (PDF)
- Center for Latino and Latin American Studies (CLLAS) Undergraduate Scholarship
Illinois
Contact Us
Sandy López
Coordinator for Undocumented Student Support
Academic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Campus Life Building 230
slopez1@niu.edu
815-753-2391
Virtual Hours
Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. by appointment only slopez1@niu.edu
