Next Steps for Transfer Huskies

Congratulations on being admitted to NIU as a transfer 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. Start here: 

• 1

  Step 1: Confirm your intent to enroll and pay the 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 ($85). You can even spread out your payments so you can pay what you can, when you can. Please note, you must pay the fee in full before you can register for Orientation. 

  We sent information about your Z-ID to the personal email address you used when you applied to NIU. See information on activating your NIU account ID and accessing 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. Your Z-ID was sent to the personal email account you used when you applied to NIU. Learn more about accessing your NIU email.

   

• 3

  Step 3: Review how your credits transfer.

  

  An evaluation of your transfer credits will be available three to four weeks after you’ve been admitted. We’ll email you at both your personal and NIU email addresses when it’s ready. You may view the transfer credit report in MyNIU by going to your Student Center. Please contact the Office of Admissions at transfercenter@niu.edu if you have questions about your transfer evaluation.

• 4

  Step 4: Apply for financial aid and/or send NIU your FAFSA.

  

  Complete the 2026-27 FAFSA as soon as it's available this fall. It's your official application for financial aid. Make sure to add NIU to your list of colleges on your FAFSA form (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. Find out whether you should complete the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid instead of the FAFSA.

   

• 5

  Step 5: Register for Orientation.

  

  Important: If you want to change your major, you must do so before registering for Orientation. 

  Attending your full orientation program is still required. Orientation is where you’ll:

  • Learn how your academic planning, career planning, and financial planning are all connected.
  • Get insider tips on thriving at NIU as a transfer student.
  • Build connections with faculty, staff, and other Huskies—because the relationships you make are just as important as going to class!

• 6

  Step 6: Learn about on-campus housing options.

  You’re not required to live in our residence halls as a transfer student, but living on campus is a part of everything that makes Huskie life so special. We even offer on-campus apartments and housing for families and upper-division students. You can sign your housing contract as soon as you've registered for Orientation.

  Learn more about housing

  • Compare halls and rates.
  • Select or change meal plans.
• 7

  Step 7: 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.

• 8

  Step 8: Schedule and complete your pre-orientation advising appointment.

  Schedule and complete your pre-orientation advising appointment as soon as possible — most students should plan to complete this appointment before their orientation date. Scheduling early ensures you have time to discuss your academic plan and register for classes with confidence. If needed, your appointment may take place after orientation, but it should be scheduled in advance. 

  Completing your advising meeting will lift your New Student Advising hold and get you ready to register for classes.

• 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, the Recreation Center, the Huskie Bus Line and more. Within 3 business days of registering for Orientation, you'll receive an email with instructions on uploading a photo to be used on your ID. Check your NIU email account for a message from the OneCard Office with the subject line “NIU OneCard Photo Submission.” 

• 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 official transcripts from all colleges attended.

  You must provide your official transcript(s) from each institution you attended, the transcript(s) must be printed within one year of your date of application to NIU, and they must be inclusive of all your completed work at each institution. 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. We’ll email you a link to POP 2.0 after you attend Orientation.

• 13

  Step 13: Opt out of student health insurance (optional).

  Students who are enrolled in nine or more credit hours in DeKalb are automatically billed for the NIU student health insurance plan. If you have other health insurance that meets our requirements, you can waive or cancel our insurance during the waiver period.