- Official documents are those sent from the issuing institution directly to NIU via postal mail or recognized electronic transcript provider (i.e. Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse, etc.).
- If you anticipate a delay with the submission of your official high school transcript, we will accept transcripts as a PDF via email directly from your counselor's email address. Your counselor should send transcripts to admissions@niu.edu.
Please note: You don't need to submit your ACT or SAT score for general admission, merit scholarship consideration or acceptance to the University Honors program. Read more about test-free admission requirements.
- No application fee or a qualified application fee waiver form.
- New transfer students must provide official transcript(s) from each institution attended which were printed within a year of their date of application and which are inclusive of all completed work at that institution.
- Previous applicants who applied, but did not enroll and submitted official transcript(s), must provide official transcript(s) from each institution attended which were printed within a year of their most recent date of application. Those transcripts must be inclusive of all completed work at each institution. If transcripts supplied to NIU in support of a previous application, are less than a year old and are inclusive of all work completed at the time of application, they may be used for admission purposes. Transcripts more than one year old, at the time of a student’s most recent application, cannot be used for admission purposes.
- Official high school transcript (if applicable).
Please note the following:
- If you're applying for admission in 2022 and have earned 24 or more transferable credit hours, your high school transcript and ACT/SAT score is not required.
- You don't need to submit your ACT or SAT score. Read more about test-free admission requirements .
- No application fee.
- Academic documents listed under the freshman applicant sections.
- A course-by-course match evaluation report of any and all international academic records prepared by Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) or other National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) recognized service at the student's expense.
- A clear photocopy of the front and back of your Alien Registration Card and/or other appropriate INS documentation. Securely upload the front and back of your Alien Registration Card.
- No application fee.
- Official English translations of academic records from secondary and all colleges and universities attended.
- All test scores, including TOEFL.
- Documentation of financial resources.
Please note: You don't need to submit your ACT or SAT score. Read more about test-free admission requirements.
- No application fee.
- Academic documents listed under the freshman applicant sections.
- If applicable: A course-by-course match evaluation report of any and all international academic records prepared by Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) or other National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) recognized service at the student's expense.
- Please refer to Undocumented Student Resources for additional information regarding the application process.
Immigrant Applicants
- No application fee.
- Academic documents listed under the freshman applicant sections.
- A course-by-course match evaluation report of any and all international academic records prepared by Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) or other National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) recognized service at the student's expense.
- A clear photocopy of the front and back of your Alien Registration Card and/or other appropriate INS documentation. Securely upload the front and back of your Alien Registration Card.
International (Nonimmigrant) Applicants
- No application fee.
- Official English translations of academic records from secondary and all colleges and universities attended.
- All test scores, including TOEFL.
- Documentation of financial resources.
Please note: You don't need to submit your ACT or SAT score. Read more about test-free admission requirements.
Undocumented Applicants
- No application fee.
- Academic documents listed under the freshman applicant sections.
- If applicable: A course-by-course match evaluation report of any and all international academic records prepared by Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) or other National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) recognized service at the student's expense.
- Please refer to Undocumented Student Resources for additional information regarding the application process.
Please note: You don't need to submit your ACT or SAT score. Read more about test-free admission requirements.
Other Documents
If you are an applicant who previously applied to NIU under another name, or need to change/update your legal name in our systems after applying you may be asked to supply a copy of your Social Security Card to verify your current legal name. Securely upload your Social Security Card.
Criminal Disclosure Information
As part of our commitment to campus safety, NIU requires students to disclose information about their criminal background and/or any misconduct that resulted in disciplinary separation from schools/universities they previously attended. Learn more about this requirement.
Document Retention
Please note that all documents submitted to Northern Illinois University for admission purposes become the property of the university. Documents will not be released to students nor will they be forwarded to other educational institutions or agencies.
Undergraduate Application Deadlines
| Term | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Summer | May 15 |
| Fall | August 1 |
| Spring | December 1 |
Please note that the actual size of the new class will be determined by the level of university resources available to maintain the quality of academic programs. The schedule on which applications will be reviewed provides for competitive admissions on a space-available basis. Thus, space limitations and/or budget constraints may necessitate earlier deadlines. Students whose high school GPA falls within the published guidelines for holistic review are asked to submit and complete their applications according to the Freshmen Petition Review deadlines.
Other Important Info
- More deadline information
- First-year and Transfer requirements
- Undocumented student requirements
- International student requirements
- Next steps for admitted students
- Financial aid and scholarships
- Come for a visit
You may need to provide additional materials if you are:
- An applicant to the School of Music
- An applicant to the School of Nursing
- An applicant to the School of Theatre and Dance
