Frequently Asked Questions

An apostille is essentially a certificate of authenticity. Since October 15, 1981, the United States has been part of the 1961 Hague Convention abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents. The convention provides for the simplified certification of public (including notarized) documents to be used in countries that have joined the convention. Under the Hague Convention, signatory countries have agreed to recognize public documents issued by other signatory countries if those public documents are authenticated by the attachment of an internationally recognized form of authentication known as an "apostille."

Note: If you're using the diploma or transcript in a country not listed in the signatory countries, you will need to contact the embassy or consulate of the country where you intend to use the document to discuss their authentication requirements. (Some non-signatory countries may accept an apostille. Others may require further steps such as U.S. Department of State certification then consular certification).

Students who apply for jobs or admission to universities in other countries often need a notarized diploma or transcript in order to submit them to the Illinois Secretary of State to obtain an apostille. This is the first step in the apostille process. Some employers in the U.S. may also ask for a transcript or diploma to be notarized for authenticity. The Office of Registration and Records is the only location to certify Northern Illinois University diplomas and transcripts.

Order authenticated diplomas for apostille electronically. The cost is $20 per diploma and $10 for authentic service through the online service. You will also need to fully complete a request for authentication for apostille and email the completed form to the address noted. Authenticated e-diplomas for apostille is not an option at this time.

• Your original diploma, or a replacement or duplicate diploma
• Official transcript (must request a new copy at the time of inquiry)

In addition to the cost of the diploma ($20) or the transcript ($8), the fee for authentication service for apostille is $10 per document. If ordering a replacement or duplicate diploma, this service may be requested and paid for at the time the order is placed. For transcripts, this fee must paid to NIU at the time the authenticated transcript is ordered.

Yes. You will need to mail the document to us in a protective envelope along with the apostille request form.

• We can mail your authenticated documents to you or the individual that you designated on your authentication request form, or
• You can pick up documents in our office in Williston Hall room 220. (A photo ID is required for pick up whether it be you or your designated contact person.)

Please allow one to two days processing time for the authentication of a diploma to be completed from receipt of the original diploma. If you need to order a duplicate diploma this may take an additional two to three days processing time. Authentication of an official transcript may be completed in one to two days. These estimates do not include mailing/shipping time to recipient.

Note: Degrees are awarded and diplomas are mailed to students approximately four to six weeks after the degree conferral date (commencement).

For students residing outside of the continental United States, you may designate someone to act on your behalf for documentation authentication. This person must be designated on your signed authentication request form, and must present a photo id to pick up these documents up on your behalf. We can also mail the authenticated form to your designee at the address you provide on the authentication request form.

Alternatively, we now offer the option of mailing your authenticated document(s) for you directly to the Illinois Secretary of State for apostille service. For this service, you must mail the following items to Northern Illinois University, Registration and Records Authentication Request, 1425 W Lincoln Hwy, DeKalb, IL 60115-2828, or deliver to Registration and Records, Williston Hall 220, DeKalb Campus.

• Separate completed Illinois application for authentication for each document for apostille.
• Single money order or cashier’s check payment for all documents for which apostille is requested (currently $2 per document).
• Self-addressed, stamped return envelope or shipping label. Also, when using prepaid Express Mail, Priority Mail, Federal Express, UPS or Airborne Express include a prepaid bill receipt from that carrier. The envelope may be addressed to the applicant or a third party. Please note that diplomas should be mailed in heavier-duty mailers that are 9” x 12”.

If you are outside of the United States, we will mail your authenticated document(s) directly to the Illinois Secretary of State for apostille service. For this service, you must mail the following items to Northern Illinois University, Registration and Records Authentication Request, 1425 W Lincoln Hwy, DeKalb, IL 60115-2828, or deliver to Registration and Records, Williston Hall 220, DeKalb Campus.

• Separate completed Illinois application for authentication for each document for apostille.
• Single money order or cashier’s check payment for all documents for which apostille is requested (currently $2 per document);
• Self-addressed, stamped return envelope or shipping label. Also, when using prepaid Express Mail, Priority Mail, Federal Express, UPS or Airborne Express include a prepaid bill receipt from that carrier. The envelope may be addressed to the applicant or a third party. Please note that diplomas should be mailed in heavier-duty mailers that are 9” x 12”.

You can check the status of your diploma by using the online diploma service. If you are interested in checking the status of the authentication of your diploma or other documents, you are welcome to email diplomas@niu.edu.

If you have any questions about the location of affixing the official signatures and seals onto the diploma, please contact the agency making the request to ensure this authentication is noted in the appropriate location.

The Articulation Tables list the courses from the community college and NIU course equivalencies. To see how a course from an Illinois public two-year community college transfers to NIU, visit the transfer credits and program major guides page. To find out how a course transfers from many other institutions within the United States, please visit Transferology.

You can also email regrec@niu.edu or come into the Office of Registration and Records, Williston Hall 220, to fill out a transferability form. Once the transfer course has been reviewed, the completed form will be scanned and emailed to your NIU email account.

Transfer credit will be considered from any regionally accredited institution of higher education. See the Undergraduate Catalog for further provisions.

Current NIU students may complete a transferability form in Registration and Records, Williston Hall 220. Prospective students must apply to NIU and confirm attendance in order to receive an evaluation of the transfer coursework. A transfer credit report will be available through MyNIU when the evaluation has been completed.

It depends. If you are a senior (90 hours or more), you will need to request senior transfer credit approval from your major college before you register for the course and the approval must be entered into MyNIU. If you will be concurrently enrolled at NIU and another school, you may need concurrent approval from your major college. Please see your adviser for assistance.

The Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) is a statewide agreement that allows the transfer of the completed Illinois transferable General Education Core Curriculum (GECC) between participating institutions. If you successfully complete the GECC at any participating college or university in Illinois, upon transfer to NIU, your NIU general education requirements will be met. If you do not complete the GECC package, you can still take advantage of IAI on a course by course basis. See the NIU undergraduate catalog for additional information or seek information from your adviser.

For students earning an A.A. or A.S. or A.A.T. degree in early childhood, secondary math or special education from an Illinois public community college, Northern Illinois University is a participant in the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI), a statewide agreement that allows transfer of the completed Illinois transferable General Education Core Curriculum (GECC) between participating institutions. Successful completion of the GECC at any participating college or university in Illinois assures students that lower-division general education requirements for an associate or baccalaureate degree have been satisfied and allows students to transfer this portion of an associate or baccalaureate degree from one participating IAI institution to another without incurring a loss of credit.

Beginning with the 2017-2018 catalog, NIU will award the same benefits as above for students who earn an Associate of Science, Associate of Arts, Associate of Arts and Sciences or Associate in Teaching in early childhood, secondary math or special education at an out-of-state, public community college.

The plus/minus grading system for undergraduate students began with the fall 2013 semester.

For the purpose of calculating eligibility for scholarships, the required term and cumulative GPA is used. This will include any plus/minus grades received.

Yes, plus/minus grading is used in the calculation for any and all academic honors including all attempted course work. These types of honors include Dean's List, degrees with distinction (summa cum laude, magna cum laude, cum laude) and for the University Honors Program.

There will be no change in the way grades are calculated for those who apply for admission as transfer students. NIU will accept completed transfer work with a grade of "D" or better. Please be advised that a grade of C or better is necessary to meet the requirements for many foundational studies courses, prerequisite courses, majors, minors and certificates.

There will be no change in how the undergraduate Admissions Office calculates the GPA for any admission, not just transfer admission.

For purposes of university policies or regulations, grades of A, A-, B+ and B will satisfy a requirement which states that "a grade of "B" is required. Note that a grade of "B-" will not satisfy this standard.

All undergraduate courses, except those covered by satisfactory/unsatisfactory grading.

The plus/minus grading system is the official grading system approved by the university beginning fall 2013 for undergraduate students (a separate +/- grading system for graduate students began in fall 2012). The methodology for the assignment of grades in a course is the responsibility of the instructor, as defined in the course syllabus. The plus/minus system provides more grade options, but how those options are utilized is the decision of the instructor. Multi-section courses are expected to require similar levels of competence in all sections.

Both the official and unofficial transcript issued from Northern Illinois University will include any plus or minus grades that an undergraduate student earns beginning with the fall 2013 semester and henceforward.

The decision not to include these options in the new grading system was made by both the Admissions Policies and Academic Standards Committee (APASC) and the Undergraduate Coordinating Council (UCC).

All grades and current cumulative GPA will not be changed. These grades are part of your academic history and will remain as is on the official transcript. Beginning in fall 2013 semester, any and all grades received (including +/-) will be listed on your transcripts and calculated for both the term and cumulative GPA.

You will apply for graduation through MyNIU, once you have reached 90 total hours.

Yes, the fee is $40 which will be applied automatically to your student account.

The graduation fee helps offset a portion of the expenses NIU incurs for validating and verifying your graduation; ordering and mailing your official diploma, your diploma cover and related costs associated with the graduation ceremony.

You can email Registration and Records from your student email address (your Z account) at regrec@niu.edu.

You can also stop by the Office of Registration and Records in Williston Hall 220 and complete a degree information change form.

If you did not complete graduation requirements for the term you applied for, you will have 30 days into the following semester to change your graduation date to the next semester's graduation date.

The major/minor catalog year refers to the requirements needed to complete a bachelor's degree in a major/minor as detailed under a specific catalog year.

The general education catalog year refers to the university graduation requirements detailed under a specific catalog year.

You may choose a different catalog for either general education or your major/minor requirements. You may not graduate under a catalog that is more than six years old. Please consult with your adviser.

You can change your general education catalog year or your major/minor catalog year by emailing Registration and Records at regrec@niu.edu from your NIU student email account. You can also visit our office located in Williston Hall 220. Please consult with your adviser about choosing a catalog year.

You must go to the departmental office of the major or minor and complete a major request form or a minor request form. Once the appropriate signatures are obtained, the form will be forwarded to the Office of Registration and Records. Before you make the change, learn about the average salary and other information for the new major on Illinois College 2 Career or the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

To answer this question, you need to speak with an adviser in your major/minor department as requirements may change from one catalog to another. It would be to your benefit to speak with an adviser in your major college office regarding what catalog to use for general education requirements. Again, requirements may differ from one catalog to another.

In order to change your name on your official records and transcript, you will need to submit a copy of your SSN card with your new name. Please use NIU’s secure student upload for identity verification form to safely submit your SSN card to the Registration and Records Office.

Name changes can also be made by visiting Registration and Records, Williston Hall 220 and showing your picture ID and Social Security card.

Northern Illinois University
Registration and Records
Williston Hall 220
DeKalb, IL 60115

Email submissions will not be accepted.

Diploma covers are distributed at commencement ceremonies. Graduates who have paid the graduation fee but did not attend commencement ceremonies may arrange to pick up a diploma cover at the Registration & Records office in Williston Hall or at the Convocation Center. Please email commencement@niu.edu with the subject line “Diploma cover request”, provide your student ZID and date of graduation, and let us know when you would like to pick up a diploma cover. We will get back to you to schedule the date/time and location for you to pick it up.

Order replacement or duplicate diplomas electronically. The cost is $20 per diploma. Electronic, or e-Diplomas are also available for $10 each.

Order authenticated diplomas for apostille electronically. The cost is $20 per diploma and $10 for authentic service through the online service. Please complete and submit a request for authentication for apostille. Authenticated e-diplomas for apostille is not an option at this time.

August/summer 2023 graduation: apply August 1, 2022 – June 15, 2023

December/fall 2023 graduation: apply March 1, 2023 - September 1, 2023

May/spring 2024 graduation: apply August 1, 2023 – February 1, 2024

Information is available on the Commencement website.

Yes, you will still graduate with your major. However, not dropping your minor will result in a delay in your graduation processing. To avoid this delay, kindly contact your adviser to drop your minor as soon as it is determined that you will not meet the requirements, but still want to graduate with just your major only.

For employment data on NIU graduates from different majors, such as occupation, salary, and amount of student debt, please view:

• Illinois College 2 Career
• U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard

If you go by a name that is different from your legal name, you can designate this within the university's student information system. Preferred/proper names may include upper- and lower-case letters, spaces, hyphens, and supported accent marks. A student’s preferred/proper name will appear instead of their legal name on class rosters, grade rosters, the online directory, O365, and Blackboard. A student’s legal name will be used in some cases, including but not limited to: admission documents, official transcripts, certification of enrollment or graduation, employment records, financial documents, reports for federal and state agencies, and financial aid documents.

When students apply for graduation, they will be given the option to select either their preferred/proper name or their legal name to be printed on their diploma, in the commencement program, and in any press releases containing graduation information supplied by Registration and Records.

No, you do not have to enter a preferred/proper name. This is there as a service for people who wish to be known by something other than their legal name. If you regularly use your legal name, then there's no need to enter a preferred/proper name since they are the same.

Your preferred/proper name can be set by logging in to MyNIU. Select the “Profile” tile from your homepage. On the Personal Details screen, click the plus (+) button under “Names” and add your preferred/proper name information and save.

Note: the field name in MyNIU only says, "Preferred Name." NIU acknowledges that many who utilize this process do so to ensure their proper name is indicated to systems utilizing this function, and that the name entered is often more than just a "preference;" it is the name you use.

A student’s preferred/proper name will appear instead of their legal name on class rosters, grade rosters, the online directory, O365, and Blackboard. A student’s legal name will be used in some cases, including but not limited to: admission documents, official transcripts, certification of enrollment or graduation, employment records, financial documents, reports for federal and state agencies, and financial aid documents.

When students apply for graduation, they will be given the option to select either their preferred/proper name or their legal name to be printed on their diploma, in the commencement program, and in any press releases containing graduation information supplied by Registration and Records.

Preferred/proper name can also be displayed on your OneCard.

The university will use your preferred/proper name where possible, but some types of documentation still require the use of your legal name. Please see “When will preferred/proper name be used?” for additional information.

In some interactions, it may be necessary to clarify that your preferred/proper name is different than your legal name. Examples of this include, but are not limited to, official interactions with police, security, and/or law enforcement and verification of medical records.

Yes, your preferred/proper name will appear on the class roster.

Your preferred/proper name will appear within the next business day after you make this update in MyNIU unless you indicate a future effective date of this change.

Adding a preferred/proper name is done by you through MyNIU and does not require any supporting documentation.

To change your legal name on official records and transcripts, you must present your Social Security card (or Permanent Residency card if applicable) with your new name indicated. Name changes can be made by visiting Registration and Records, Williston Hall 220. If visiting our office to make a name change, you must present a picture ID and Social Security card. If you are unable to come to our office in person, we require a signed request with a copy of your Social Security card to be mailed to Registration and Records or it can be faxed to our office at 815-753-0149. Please do not transmit a copy of your Social Security card via email.

You must first make the change through Self Service in MyNIU. Your preferred/proper name will appear by the next business day after being updated in MyNIU unless a future effective date is selected as well.

Please visit OneCard Preferred/Proper Name for additional information or go to the FAQ for OneCard ID Services.

Preferred/proper name enables you to be addressed by a name different from your legal name.

To request a copy in person please present your photo ID at the Office of Registration and Records in Williston Hall 220. The cost is $8 per official transcript. There is no charge for unofficial transcripts.

Current students can view their unofficial transcript by logging into MyNIU.  If you need assistance with your MyNIU account, contact the DoIT Service Desk at 815-753-8100.

A transcript is typically processed in 1-2 business days. The time may vary during heavy request weeks typically e.g. the end of the semester. You can order an official transcript by visiting our transcript webpage.

Visit the National Student Clearinghouse to track your request.

In order to change your name on your official records and transcript, you will need to submit a copy of your SSN card with your new name. Please use NIU’s secure student upload for identity verification form to safely submit your SSN card to the Registration and Records Office.

Name changes can also be made by visiting Registration and Records, Williston Hall 220 and showing your picture ID and Social Security card.

Northern Illinois University
Registration and Records
Williston Hall 220
DeKalb, IL 60115

Email submissions will not be accepted.

Once a new student has attended orientation and has concluded his/her advising appointment, the student can register for classes. Information about the academic programs offered at the university is available in the current Undergraduate Catalog. Graduate level students should contact the Graduate School at 815-753-0395.

Drops can be managed through MyNIU depending on the date of the attempted drop. All other drops and withdrawals after the deadline must be brought to your major college office. Drop deadlines vary from semester to semester. Information about withdrawing from the university can found on the academic withdrawal page.

Deadline dates can be viewed on the semester dates and deadlines page.

This information is available on the find courses page. A day(s) of the week indicator, time and location of the class is available with each course. A student may also contact the Registration and Records office at 815-753-0681 for any questions concerning a class or his/her schedule.

A listing is available on the find courses page.

If you do not want directory information publicly disclosed, you should access your MyNIU account. From the Student Center under Personal Information select "Privacy Settings." Then click the "Edit FERPA/Directory Restrictions" bar to restrict release of your information

To assist students who would like to allow third parties (e,g, my parents, siblings or others) to see their student information, NIU incorporated MyNIU Shared Access. This functionality allows a student to grant, up to two individuals, access to their student data. The student can choose and limit the information that the individuals may view. NOTE: MyNIU Shared Access will override FERPA for disclosure (or non-disclosure of student information). Students who don't remember their ZID and/or password will need to contact the Division of Information Technology (DoIT) ServiceDesk at 815-753-8100.

If you previously submitted a request to prevent disclosure of directory information and want to retract that document, you can do so either through MyNIU or by completing a retraction of request to prevent disclosure of directory information form (PDF) and submitting it in person to the Office of Registration and Records. Please make certain to bring proper student identification to the office when making this request.

Grades are viewable via MyNIU once the instructor has posted the class grade roster.

There may be different reasons for this, such as needing appropriate signatures from different university personnel. The most obvious reason would be that the grade changes are processed in the order in which they are received, and at times, a large number of changes must be processed. Questions about a change of grade may be directed to the department who initiated the change form or the major college office of the course.

To calculate this information, use the GPA Calculator.

The Undergraduate Catalog (specifically the University Graduation Requirements section) has detailed information pertaining to major GPA calculations. Your major GPA is calculated using all courses taken in the major department unless the department states otherwise.

Call the DoIT Service Desk at 815-753-8100. For more information, visit the DoIT website.

Call the DoIT Service Desk at 815-753-8100.

Billing questions are handled directly by the Office of the Bursar at 815-753-1885 or via email at bursar@niu.edu

Contact Health Service Records and Release at 815-753-1318.

Contact the DoIT Service Desk at 815-753-8100. Or you can get online assistance for Blackboard.

You can obtain an enrollment verification by contacting Registration and Records at 815-753-0681, email at regrec@niu.edu or in person at Williston Hall 220.

An enrollment verification is generated from the system verifying enrollment history by term of enrollment along with current program of study and degree awarded information.

Certifications requiring the school seal are $5 per copy. Certifications that do not require the school seal are free.

Current NIU students may use MyNIU to view their unofficial transcript at any time. Students will have access to MyNIU for 180 days after their last day of enrollment at the university, and may view and download their unofficial transcript in MyNIU during that time. After 180 days, students should request an official transcript (See Request Your Official Transcript above for more information).

Whether you are a new transfer or a current NIU student, your official transcript should be sent to the Office of Admissions. Contact your transfer school. Paper transcripts can be sent to:

Office of Undergraduate Admissions
Northern Illinois University
1425 West Lincoln Hwy.
DeKalb, IL 60115

Electronic transcripts can be sent to admissions@niu.edu.

With MyNIU: When you log in to MyNIU and search for classes you can see whether a class is open or closed. For MyNIU training, please refer to MyNIU - Student.

With Navigate: Log in to Navigate Student Planner to Search for Classes and add the course to a current or next term. Click View/Edit Schedule to view sections that are available. Please see the Navigate Student Planner User Guide (PDF).

All students use MyNIU or Navigate Student Planner to register.

New undergraduate students can register once they have attended an orientation and advising session. Once you have applied and been admitted to NIU, you will receive information about these programs.

New graduate students and students-at-large are eligible to register after being admitted to NIU.

With MyNIU: You can use MyNIU to swap courses during the add/drop period. All requests to swap a course after the add/drop deadlines must be initiated and processed through your major college office (undergraduates) or through the department offering the course.

With Navigate: You can use Navigate Student Planner to swap courses during the add/drop period. All requests to swap a course after the add/drop deadlines must be initiated and processed through your major college office (undergraduates) or through the department offering the course. Please see the Navigate Student Planner User Guide (PDF).

After the established drop deadlines, all course load reductions become withdrawals. This includes last half courses which have their own established add/drop deadlines. All requests to withdraw from a course after the add/drop deadlines must be initiated and processed through your major college office (undergraduates) or through the department offering the course (graduate students and students-at-large). A course withdrawal will remain on your academic record, but is not used in calculating your grade point average.

Undergraduate students cannot drop to zero hours using MyNIU or Navigate Student Planner after the first week of classes. Dropping all of your courses is considered a university withdrawal. You should contact your major college office to withdraw from the university.

With MyNIU: You can use MyNIU to swap courses during the add/drop period. All requests to swap a course after the add/drop deadlines must be initiated and processed through your major college office (undergraduates) or through the department offering the course.

With Navigate: You can use Navigate Student Planner to swap courses during the add/drop period. All requests to swap a course after the add/drop deadlines must be initiated and processed through your major college office (undergraduates) or through the department offering the course. Navigate Student Planner User Guide (PDF).

You can find your advisor and schedule appointments through Navigate Student (click Appointments> My Team). You can also contact your college advising office.

Your class schedule is available to you in MyNIU and Navigate Student.

Billing questions are handled directly by the Office of the Bursar at 815-753-1885 or via email at bursar@niu.edu (be sure to include your student account number in your email).

The online NIU Course Finder allows you to search the most up-to-date course offerings.

Log in to Navigate Student Planner to Search for Classes and add the course to a current or next term. Click View/Edit Schedule to view sections that are available. Please see the Navigate Student Planner User Guide (PDF).

Help is available from the DoIT Service Desk at 815-753-8100 or via email at ServiceDesk@niu.edu. Additional Blackboard assistance for students is available online.

Auditing means registering for and attending a class regularly without receiving credit. If you wish to audit a course, you must be admitted to NIU or granted student-at-large status; obtain the permission of the instructor of the course; have the department enroll you in the class and designate the course for audit rather than credit; and pay the regular tuition and fees before the established deadlines.

Undergraduate students may register for a maximum of 18 credit hours, excluding audit hours, for the fall and spring semester. The maximum allowed for the summer session is nine credit hours, excluding audit hours. Continuing undergraduate students wanting to carry more than 18 credit hours, may request an overload permit from their major college office. New undergraduate students may not carry an overload.

A graduate-level student's course load includes all courses for which the student is registered at both the graduate and undergraduate course levels, whether taken for credit or audit. Approval is necessary when a student in good academic standing wishes to carry more than 12 semester hours in the fall or spring semester or nine semester hours in the summer session. For a graduate student in a degree program, prior approval must be obtained from the student's major department; for a student-at-large or a graduate student not in a degree program, the prior approval of the office of the dean of the Graduate School is required.

Your residency status is established at the time when the completed application for admission is received and processed. The decision is based on the information included with the application for admission, transcripts and other required documents for admission. The residency status determined at this time remains in effect until you either (1) petition for a resident tuition classification by providing supporting documentation establishing that you have fulfilled all the requirements for residency or (2) lose residency by your absence from Illinois or (3) intend to become a resident of another state.

It is assumed that your residency status is that of your parents. NIU requires that you be a bona fide resident of Illinois for six consecutive months prior to the semester for which you are petitioning and maintain a permanent residence year round. The university's requirements to establish residency may be different than other Illinois institutions of higher education. Bona fide residency involves actually living in the state of Illinois and taking other specific actions which bond you to the state of Illinois. It also requires that you reside in Illinois primarily for reasons that are not related to receiving an education.

These actions signify your intent to reside in Illinois for other than educational purposes.

If your parents claim you in another state, chances are you are eligible to receive in-state tuition in their state of residency. You may be considered residents in one state only. Any and all employment must be reported on the petition. You are required to file Illinois income taxes and a federal income tax return, using your Illinois address, for the income you've earned. In addition, you may be asked to submit year-to-date earnings statements to indicate payment of Illinois taxes.

If your parents move on or before the first day of classes for the semester in which you are registering, you will be considered to be an Illinois resident. If they move to Illinois after the semester has begun, you will be considered as in-state at the beginning of the next term. Your parents must actually become domiciled, make their home in the state of Illinois and may be asked to verify their residence. Your parents don't need to be bona fide residents for six consecutive months. In this case, you will only need to provide your parent's driver's license, a utility bill showing their name and address and your birth certificate.

As long as one parent is a bona fide resident of Illinois, you will receive resident status. That is true even if the parent outside of Illinois is actually your main source of financial support. You will need to provide supporting documents of the domicile parent.

Once you have applied and are admitted as a resident student, your in-state residency continues. However, you must maintain continuous enrollment and maintenance of a separate residence (actually live) in Illinois.

You must make a decision whether you will enroll with the risk of being a nonresident student. A verbal recommendation from a staff member of the university is not grounds for determination of residency. The only determination which is official is the decision made by the Office of Registration and Records. If you are approved for in-state residency, then a refund will be processed for any difference of tuition incurred. You will be responsible for any late fees assessed if you choose to not make a payment on time.

Notification that your application has been received is not sufficient. If you hold a temporary visa, you will be considered as abandoning your former visa status only if you have an EAD card and are working in the state of Illinois. You must petition for in-state residency. If you cannot provide this type of proof, then you may be considered as in-state only after you receive federal notification that your status for permanent residency has been approved.

The holder of an H-1B or H-1C may be eligible for residency for tuition purposes. A dependent of an H-1B or H-1C, who holds an H-4 visa, may also be eligible.

As long as you are on a temporary visa, you will still need to abide by the guidelines previously mentioned regarding abandonment of your former visa status to establish in-state residency.

If your parents still live in Illinois, you will be considered a resident.

A person can gain residency through his or her spouse if that spouse is a bona fide resident of Illinois. You will be asked to provide proof that your spouse has been a bona fide resident in Illinois for six consecutive months along with other supporting documents as outlined in the petition.

Staff members of the university and faculties of state-supported institutions of higher education in Illinois, holding appointment of at least one-quarter time and their spouses and dependent children, shall be treated as residents. However, the term "staff member" shall not include graduate assistants or student hourly workers, so employment as a graduate student does not automatically entitle the graduate assistant or his/her spouse to resident benefits.

The process begins with filing a petition for change to Illinois residency status (PDF). The petition can be obtained at the Office of Registration and Records. Registration and Records must receive the petition by the published deadlines established for each semester. If the petition is even one day late, it will not be reviewed. You should attach copies of documents to verify the information contained in the petition. You have until the last day of the semester to provide all the supporting documents, however, you will not be granted in-state tuition until all documents have been received and approved. You are responsible for any fees assessed while you wait for the decision.

If you are dissatisfied with the ruling in response to the written claim made within said period, you may appeal the ruling to the vice provost by filing a written request with the designated university residency official in the Office of Registration and Records within 20 calendar days of receipt of the notice of the ruling. If such a written request is filed within said period, available information on the question of residency status under the provisions of the Residency Status Regulation of the Board of Trustees and of applicable laws shall be referred by the designated university residency official in the Office of Registration and Records to the vice provost, whose decision shall be final.