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 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 ($85). If you need to spread out your payments, you can. You must pay your 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. Learn more about 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. 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.

  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.

  Learn more about accessing your NIU email.

• 3

  Step 3: Review how your credits transfer.

  

  An evaluation of your transfer credits will be available a few 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 your transfer credit report in MyNIU by going to your Student Center. Please contact our Office of Admissions at admissions@niu.edu if you have questions about your transfer evaluation.

• 4

  Step 4: 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 through the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid.

  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.

• 5

  Step 5: 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. You’ll connect with other students and learn about campus resources as you join our Huskie community. These dates fill up fast, so register as soon as you receive our email that you’re eligible to register for your Orientation date.

• 6

  Step 6: Register for 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.

• 7

  Step 7: Learn about on-campus housing options.

  You’re not required to live in our residence halls as a transfer student, but living on campus can be a great way to connect with other Huskies. We even offer on-campus apartments and housing for families and upper-division students. The earlier you submit your housing contract, the earlier you can make your room selection when that process begins.

• 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, the Huskie Bus Line and more. After registering for Orientation, you'll receive an email 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 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. You can find POP 2.0 in your Next Steps Portal. We’ll email you a link to it after you attend Orientation.

• 13

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

  If you’re enrolled in nine or more credit hours in DeKalb, you’re automatically billed for our NIU student health insurance plan. If you have other health insurance that meets our requirements, you can waive or cancel our insurance during the opt-out period.