Admitted Undergraduate Student Resources
Begin Your NEIU Journey
Applying to Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) was a bold decision — one that can unlock a brighter future. That decision has paid off. You’re in, and we’re excited to welcome you into our growing community.
As you embark on this journey toward becoming an NEIU student, you must complete a few next steps along the way. We created our undergraduate student checklist to guide you through the process and help you seamlessly begin this new chapter.
First-Year Student Checklist
Whether you’ve just graduated, are transferring from another college or university, or are relocating to the U.S., the following next steps will guide you through the enrollment process so you can begin your NEIU student experience.
Are you already envisioning your future at NEIU? First, let us know if you plan on attending Northeastern. This helps us prepare for your arrival and provide support as you navigate the following steps.
To either accept or decline your admission offer to NEIU, complete the “Intent to Enroll” (ITE) by logging into your application portal:
- Access your Application Status Portal
- Scroll down to the Application Checklist
- Click on "Reply to Offer of Admission"
- Select your response to the admission offer
- Select a Freshman Program (if you’re a freshman student)
- Submit your response
Deferring Your Admission
At NEIU, we understand that life happens, and that sometimes you must pause your academic pursuits. We offer the option to defer your admission for up to one year.
To request a deferral, please log into your application portal and complete the Deferment Request of Application or Admission Form.
If you have questions about deferrals, please contact NEIU’s admissions staff by calling (773) 442-4050 or sending us an email.
Next, activate your account in NEIUport, our secure online portal, which you’ll use to:
- Set up your Nmail.
- Check the status of financial aid awards (if applicable).
- Locate forms and academic resources information.
- Inform the University about changes to your contact information.
- View your academic profile, unofficial transcript and any holds on your account.
- Check your end-of-semester grades.
Your NEIUport account also grants you access to the following platforms:
- Nmail is your NEIU-issued email account that houses all official University communications. You are responsible for reading and responding to these communications, so please check your Nmail daily. The password you create for NEIUport will also be used to log into your Nmail account.
- N-Safe: Sign up for emergency notifications about University closures or security alerts. You have the option to receive these notifications via personal email or text.
- Student Computing Services (SCS) allows you to access computer lab workstations at all NEIU locations. Use your NETID/username and the password you created when you activate your NEIUport account to access the workstations.
- Desire to Learn (D2L) is an online learning environment that houses syllabi, course materials and tools you will use in many of your NEIU classes. D2L also lets you communicate with the faculty members teaching your courses and classmates. We recommend that you familiarize yourself with D2L before beginning your classes.
How to Set Up Your NEIUport Account
- Your student ID number is in the top-right corner of your admission letter and is also available on your application status portal.
- Go to NEIUport and click the "Claim/Activate Account, Lookup ID" link.
- Enter your 9-digit NEIU ID number in the University ID field.
- Agree to receive text messages by checking the box.
- Click "Submit" and choose how you'd like to receive your PIN (via text, email or both).
- After receiving the PIN, enter it in the provided field and click "Validate."
- Create and confirm your new password, following the on-screen password rules.
- Write down your username (NetID), which is shown in the Password Rules box.
- You can now log in to NEIUport using your new username and password.
Education has the power to transform lives. We work hard to make education affordable and accessible for all students.
Apply for Financial Aid
All students who meet the following criteria are encouraged to apply for financial assistance:
- Enrolled in a degree-seeking program
- A U.S. citizen or permanent resident (eligible non-citizen)
- Maintain Minimum Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress
- Not in default on any student loan nor owe a repayment on any grant
If you plan to apply for federal and state student aid, please complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible. When applying, make sure you use NEIU’s school code: 001693.
Please note that international students are not eligible for federal or state financial aid and should not complete the FAFSA.
State Aid
Eligible students disqualified from federal financial aid because of Selective Service registration requirements can still apply for state financial aid through the Retention of Illinois Students and Equity (RISE) Act.
Complete the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid to be considered for the Monetary Award Program (MAP), Illinois’ largest need-based grant program. The application is available online.
In-State Tuition Eligibility
To help keep the cost of your education affordable, we offer a tuition rate guarantee for undergraduate students who are continually enrolled for four consecutive years.
You may qualify for in-state tuition if you are:
- An undergraduate or graduate student admitted from the neighboring states of Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri or Wisconsin.
- A veteran or on active military duty (includes spouse and/or dependents).
- An undocumented student. To qualify as an undocumented student, complete the Affidavit for Eligibility for In-State Tuition form, which is available in your application status portal.
Before you can meet with an advisor and select classes, you must complete the NEIUStar survey. This survey helps your academic advisor understand you better before you both meet, and helps select the right classes for your first semester. Take the survey at neiu.edu/neiustar.
Plan to take your math and English placement tests before meeting with an academic advisor. Doing so will help your advisor guide you to the courses that best meet your needs. You can take your placement exams online or in person.
After completing your placement exams, you’ll partner with an academic advisor who can assist you with understanding your test scores, selecting your courses and registering for your first semester at NEIU.
Additionally, all students must meet with an academic advisor before orientation, who will help them sign up for the session. Advisors in the Academic Advising Center, located on the Main Campus, Lech Walesa Hall, Room LWH 0027, will serve all other programs and students.
Advising appointments are available:
- Monday through Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Thursday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For more information, contact the Academic Advising Center at (773) 442-5470 or advising@neiu.edu.
To help you kick off your NEIU student experience, all undergraduate students must attend an orientation day at the Main Campus. We designed our orientation program to ease your transition to life at Northeastern and introduce you to all the resources you can access as a student.
Your new student orientation covers everything from financial aid to how to be an active member of our student community. While here, you can connect with classmates, chat with current students and explore our beautiful campus.
Live where you learn! While you are not required to live on campus, you have the option to apply for housing at The Nest.
Student housing is limited. If you are interested in living on campus, please apply by June 1, 2026, which is the priority deadline for Fall 2026 lease applications.
Need additional financial support for housing? To apply for a housing scholarship, visit our Living Learning Community website.
To keep our University community healthy, all students must provide immunization/vaccination history documentation to Student Health Services.
Students can submit their immunization records via the Medicat Patient Portal or through their NEIU email to health-services@neiu.edu. For more information, please follow our detailed instructions.
Our Student Health Services also offers discounted vaccinations and free immunization reviews to ensure student health records are up to date.
Additionally, we recommend that students receive their COVID-19 vaccinations, including boosters. If a student has a positive case, please email Student Health Services with a copy of the positive test result.
Student Health Services
Location: Main Campus, Building E, Room E 051 (lower level, next to the student lounge)
Phone: (773) 442-5800
Fax: (773) 442-5808
Email: health-services@neiu.edu
Office hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Send final high school transcript to admissiondocs@neiu.edu.
Next Steps for Incoming International Students
If you are an international student relocating to the U.S. to attend NEIU, you must complete the action items listed above and the following additional steps:
- Submit your I-20 form, demonstrating your ability to finance your education and living expenses.
- After completing your I-20 and paying your I-901 SEVIS fee, your next step is to secure an F-1 student visa. For additional information, please review the U.S. State Department’s overview of how to apply for a student visa.
- If you’re joining Northeastern from a country where English is not the primary language spoken, you must attend the SAELL Intensive English Program (IEP). (F-1 visa holders are required to be enrolled full-time.)
As an international student, you are not eligible for federal student aid but may qualify for University and private scholarship opportunities.
Our Office of International Programs provides additional support to guide your transition to life at NEIU.
Embrace NEIU’s Community
Get connected to a vibrant community by attending a broad range of exciting University events. Whether you want to create friendships or explore new interests, NEIU has something just for you.