Next Steps for First-year Huskies

Congratulations on being admitted to NIU as a first-year student! From the day you're admitted to your first day of classes, use the checklist below to guide you step by step. By completing the steps below, you’ll be ready for a strong start at NIU.

• 1

  Step 1: Confirm your intent to enroll and pay your enrollment fee.

  

  Declare yourself an official Huskie! Log in to MyNIU using your NIU account ID (Z-ID). Choose the Admissions tile and select "Confirm Intent to Enroll." Pay your nonrefundable enrollment fee ($155). If you need to spread out your payments, you can. Once you pay the fee in full, you can register for Orientation. 

  We sent information about your Z-ID to the personal email address you used when you applied to NIU. Learn how to activate your NIU account ID and access MyNIU.

• 2

  Step 2: Get in the habit of checking your NIU email account regularly.

  

  Your NIU student email address is your Z-ID followed by @students.niu.edu. Access your email at go.niu.edu/outlook. Download the Microsoft Outlook app on your phone so you'll be notified when emails are sent to your NIU account. Learn more about accessing your NIU email.

  We use multifactor authentication (MFA) to keep your email secure. You’ll use both your password and a code texted to your cell phone to log in. You can download the Microsoft Authenticator app for free. Be prepared to provide a phone number as a means of authentication prior to login.

   

• 3

  Step 3: Apply for financial aid and/or send NIU your FAFSA.

  

  Fill out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as it’s available. If you’ve already completed it, make sure you added NIU to your list of colleges. If you didn’t include NIU when you submitted your FAFSA, please log in to your FAFSA form to make corrections and add NIU (school code 001737). 

  If you’re an Illinois resident but are ineligible for federal aid as an undocumented student, you can still apply for state assistance.

  If you’ve completed your FAFSA, you may be selected for verification by the FAFSA processor for the U.S. Department of Education. Please be sure to check your NIU email and your MyNIU to-do list for additional requirements.

   

• 4

  Step 4: Register for Orientation.

  

  Important: Thinking about changing your major? You need to do so before registering for Orientation. 

  Orientation is required for all admitted students. It’s where you’ll meet other students, and learn about campus offices and resources. These dates fill up fast, so we recommend that you register as soon as you’re notified that you can do so. We’ll send you an email as soon as you’re eligible to register for your Orientation date.

• 5

  Step 5: Submit your housing contract and prepayment ($150).

  

  As a first-year student, you’re required to live on campus or request a residency requirement exemption. After you’ve registered for Orientation, it’s time to submit your housing contract. The earlier you submit your contract, the earlier you can make your room selection when that process begins.

  Learn more about housing

  • Compare halls and rates.
  • Select or change meal plans.
  • Am I required to live on campus?

• 6

  Step 6: Take your required placement tests.

  You may need to take online placement tests to help determine which NIU courses you should take. Review the information on our Testing Services website to determine which placement tests you need to take, and then register for and take the test(s) prior to your advising appointment.

• 7

  Step 7: Schedule your advising appointment.

  After you register for Orientation, your academic advisor will email you separately to schedule your first advising appointment. This one-on-one meeting will help you plan your academic path and course selection. Appointment slots fill up quickly, so we recommend scheduling as soon as you receive the email. Check your NIU email regularly for scheduling instructions. Your advising appointment will be scheduled for a different date than your Orientation.

• 8

  Step 8: Complete your required Pre-orientation Program (POP).

  POP is a self-guided module introducing many of the topics you’ll explore during your Orientation. You can find POP in your Next Steps Portal. We’ll send an email to your NIU email account when it’s time to complete it.

• 9

  Step 9: Upload your photo for your OneCard ID.

  Your OneCard ID is your official NIU identification card. It’s your key to accessing your residence hall and meal plans, our Recreation Center, our Huskie Line bus and more. After registering for Orientation, you’ll receive an email from our OneCard office with instructions on uploading a photo to be used on your ID.

• 10

  Step 10: Submit your vaccination records.

  If you enroll for on-campus classes, you’re required by the Illinois College Student Immunization Act to provide proof of immunity to measles/mumps/rubella (MMR), tetanus/diphtheria (Td/Tdap) and meningitis.

• 11

  Step 11: Submit your final high school transcript.

  Your official high school transcript is required as part of our admissions process. Your final high school transcript should include your final grades and graduation date. Check with your high school to find out their required process for requesting and sending your official transcript. Check your to-do list in MyNIU for any missing items needed to complete your admission file.

• 12

  Step 12: Complete POP 2.0.

  POP 2.0 is your post-orientation program. You’ll complete it online at your own pace after you attend Orientation and prior to the start of the semester. You can find POP 2.0 in your Next Steps Portal. We’ll email you a link to it after you attend Orientation.