Tuition and Fees

Click on a link to be taken to the entry below.

Tuition and fees are subject to change at any time. The official charges are those billed by the Bursar’s Office for each term. For the most recent tuition and fee rates, see the Bursar website at www.niu.edu/bursar.

Activity and athletic fees may be used to support services and privileges such as the use of the University Health Service; use of gymnasium facilities and participation in intramural activities; admission to athletic events, concerts, dramatic productions, lectures, and speeches; and subscriptions to certain student publications. Additional charges for such services and privileges may be imposed as necessary.

Application fee (nonrefundable): $30.00
Doctoral dissertation (microfilming) fee: $55.00
Enrollment certification fee: $3.50
Examination fees

Graduate Record Examinations

General Test (computer-based): $200.00
Subject Test (paper and pencil): $130.00
Writing Assessment (computer-based): $50.00

Graduate Management Admission Test (computer-based) $200.00

Miller Analogies Test: $75.00

Foreign language translation examinations

Average proficiency: $45.00
High proficiency: $65.00

Graduation fee (nonrefundable): $35.00

(If a student fails to graduate at the close of the term for which the application for graduation has been submitted and the fee paid, the application can be transferred to a subsequent term. See section entitled “Graduation” elsewhere in this catalog.)

New international student fee: $125.00
Nursing thesis (microfilming) fee: $45.00
Regional site course delivery fee: $40.00-$265.00 per semester hour
Replacement identification card (after the first is issued): $15.00
Technology surcharge

$50.00 for 6 or fewer semester hours
$100.00 for more than 6 semester hours

Transcript fee: $5.00

Class material fees, where applicable, will be billed as part of the total billing. See the appropriate Schedule of Classes regarding those courses that require additional fees.

Costs for housing for 2006-07 varied from $2,991 per semester for a gold meal plan in a double room in one of the “low rise” residence halls to $4,635 for a single room and a titanium meal plan in a recently renovated “high rise” residence hall. Charges for the 2007-08 academic year are expected to increase.

Room and board, tuition, and fees may be paid each semester in one payment or by a credit plan. Students who elect to pay on the credit plan will be charged an interest rate to be determined by the university. (See “Payment of Fees.”)

Courses taught at regional sites are included in the calculation of tuition charges, but are excluded from total hours in the assessment of general student fees. Workshop hours are included in the assessment of general student fees. Tuition charges are applicable to the total enrolled hours, with an additional delivery fee for each regional course. (See “Special Fees.”)

Anyone 65 years of age or older whose annual income is under $21,218 is eligible to take credit courses tuition free. The student must pay all general university fees and any course-related fees. Available classroom space must exist and tuition-paying students enrolled must constitute the minimum number of required students for the particular class except for credit courses designed specifically for senior citizens. Interested senior citizens should contact the Student Financial Aid Office.

It is the policy of Northern Illinois University to open an account for each of its students for the purpose of charging tuition and fees, room and board, textbooks and school supplies (purchased through plans limited to financial aid recipients), and residence hall long distance telephone calls. Other charges incurred by a student such as parking fines, child care fees, and pharmacy charges may be added to the student’s account. These charges, payments, other debits, and credits for financial aid, will appear on the monthly statement of account. Students are responsible for payment-in-full of their student account at NIU, plus any additional costs which may be incurred by the university in collection of their debt to NIU.

The amount due the university must be settled no later than the payment due date shown on the monthly statement of account. Through the NIU Credit Plan, the student is allowed to make up to three monthly payments for fall and spring semester costs charged to the student’s account. For fall semester, the three payments are due in August, September, and October. For a spring semester, the three payments are due in January, February, and March. For a summer session, only two payments are allowed and are due in June and July. All students who choose to make such payments will be assessed a finance charge based on the terms and conditions of the NIU Credit Plan disclosed below.

The information about the NIU Credit Plan is accurate as of February 1, 2007. This information may have changed after that date. You should contact the Bursar’s Office, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois 60115 regarding any changes to the plan.

Students should understand the important information about the NIU Credit Plan that follows.

¹ The exact number of days is determined each month by the Bursar. The payment due date will appear on each monthly statement of account.

² The finance charge is calculated by applying the periodic rate to the average daily balance of an account (including current transactions during the last interest cycle). The average daily balance is determined by dividing the sum of all daily balances from the interest cycle by the number of days in the interest cycle. The daily balance is computed by adding the new charges and other debits to the account’s beginning balance and subtracting any payments, credits, and unpaid finance charges for that day of the interest cycle. The interest cycle begins the day following the assessment of finance charges and ends the day finance is assessed.

³ If you reside in university housing, refer to your housing contract for additional information pertaining to penalties and assessments. Refer elsewhere in this catalog for other information pertaining to your enrollment at the university.

Note that in this section, the term “refund’ is strictly applicable only if all charges for which the student is liable have already been paid. Otherwise, any refund due will take the form of a corresponding reduction in the total liability on the bill.

In the following discussion of policies governing refunds of tuition and fees it should be understood that “refund” refers to “refund of monies paid” only in cases in which a student has already paid the full balance due. Where payment in full has not yet been made, an equivalent adjustment may be made on the total amount due. If only a partial reduction in tuition or fee liability occurs, a student who had a balance due may still owe an additional amount beyond that already paid. If no reduction in liability occurs, not only will funds paid not be refunded, but the student will be liable for the unpaid balance.

Tuition and fees, due at the time of registration, include tuition, general student fees, material fees, the technology surcharge, outreach delivery fees, regional course fees, and health insurance fees. Refunds can be applied for at the Bursar’s Office, unless otherwise noted. The following provisions govern refunds of tuition and fees.

A student who has registered and officially withdraws from the university may receive a refund of tuition and fees including any advance deposit thereon, according to the following schedule.

If withdrawal is prior to the first regularly scheduled class day - all tuition and fees.
If withdrawal is within the 60 percent point in time of the period of enrollment - a refund equal to the portion of the period of enrollment remaining.
If withdrawal is after the 60 percent point in time of the period of enrollment - no refund.

The university may designate shorter refund periods for special courses, short courses, and other enrollments of a limited nature.

Students may receive a refund of tuition and fees if the university declares them ineligible for enrolled status prior to the first day of regularly scheduled classes.

Students who reduce the number of semester hours carried (but remain enrolled in some course work) within the first 15 calendar days beginning with the first regularly scheduled class day may receive a refund of tuition and all fees not applicable to their new status, excluding student medical insurance. If the number of semester hours is reduced to fewer than 6, the student medical insurance may be refunded.

Students who reduce the number of semester hours carried (but remain enrolled in some course work) after the 15th day but no later than the 30th calendar day may receive a refund of 25 percent of the difference in tuition only. If the number of semester hours is reduced to fewer than 6, the student medical insurance may be refunded.

Part or all of a student’s tuition and fees may be refunded because of a student’s death, disability, or extreme hardship. The student, or in the event of a student’s death, his or her family, must contact the Vice President for Student Affairs to request an adjustment of charges for tuition and fees and to receive a partial or full refund when university withdrawal is the consequence of one of the aforementioned circumstances. The student or his or her family will be required to provide documentation supporting the request. In the event of disability (medical withdrawal), medical documentation is to be sent to the University Health Service. In the event of a student’s death or extreme hardship, documentation should accompany the request sent to the Vice President for Student Affairs. (Note that university withdrawal, i.e., withdrawal from courses, is an academic procedure that must be completed by the student’s college advisement office. Contact with the Vice President for Student Affairs should be only for the purpose of seeking an adjustment of tuition and fees charges.)

Students who have paid tuition and fees may receive a refund if they later receive scholarships which cover tuition and fees. The application for refund must be made no later than 60 days after the close of the term.

Students enrolled in courses of study over 15 miles from the campus which require their absence from the campus for the entire semester and who are residing over 15 miles from the campus may receive refunds of activity, student bus, health service, and athletic fees. To receive such a refund, students must apply to the Bursar within the first 15 calendar days beginning with the first regularly scheduled class day. Refunds will be processed after the sixth week of the semester.

Students who receive financial assistance and withdraw from the university or reduce the number of credit hours carried may be required to repay a portion of their award(s) from any university refunds which they may have been eligible to receive. The exact amount to be repaid to financial aid accounts will be determined by the amount of aid received, the educational costs incurred, and the length of time attended during the semester.

Students enrolled in foreign study programs must adhere to the refund regulations stipulated by the Division of International Programs.

For answers to questions on tuition and fee payment refunds call (815) 753-1885, 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m., or e-mail bursar@niu.edu.

The above refund policies are subject to change.

The tuition fee for in-state students is charged according to the definitions of residence below. Length of university attendance or continued presence in DeKalb during vacation periods is not considered proof of Illinois residence.

Students who take exception to the residence status assigned shall pay the tuition assessed, but may file a petition in writing to the Office of Registration and Records for a reconsideration of residence status.

The written claim must be filed within 30 calendar days from the date of assessment of tuition, or the first class day of the term for which tuition is payable, whichever is later, or the student loses all right to a change of status and adjustment of the tuition assessed for the term in question.

The following is based on Regulations of the Board of Trustees, a copy of which is available on the Internet at www.niu.edu/board/regs/sectionIV.html.

Adult students. Students 18 years of age and over are considered residents for tuition purposes, if they have been bona fide residents of the state for at least six consecutive months preceding the first class day of the term and continue to maintain that residence. An adult student whose parents are Illinois residents and who lives with them or elsewhere in the state also will be regarded as a resident.

Minor students. The residence of a student under 18 years of age is considered to be and follow that of the parents. Self supporting minors are subject to the same regulations as adults.

Exceptions

Marriage. If a nonresident student marries a resident, the nonresident can request reclassification as a resident.

Armed forces personnel. The nonresident portion of the tuition will be waived for a person on active duty who is stationed and present in the state in connection with that service and who submits evidence of that service and station. Spouses and dependent children who live in the state are also eligible for waivers.

University staff and faculty members. Staff members of the university and faculty members of Illinois state-supported institutions of higher education, employed at least one-quarter time, and their spouses and dependent children are considered residents. The term “staff members” does not include graduate assistants or student hourly workers.

Teachers. Teachers in the public and private elementary and secondary schools of Illinois are considered residents if they are employed at least one-quarter time.

International students. To be considered a resident, a student who is not a United States citizen must have “Permanent Resident” status or “Refugee” status with the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization service and must also comply with all other requirements of these regulations.