Undocumented Student Criteria
Students who are not U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents, or do not possess a green card, visa or other legal documentation, can apply for admission to NIU and pay in-state tuition. Illinois General Assembly Public Act 093-0738 provides that undocumented students be classified as Illinois residents for tuition purposes if they meet all of the following conditions:
- Student resided with her/his parent or guardian while attending a public or private Illinois high school.
- Student graduated from an Illinois high school or received the equivalent of a high school diploma in Illinois.
- Student attended an Illinois high school for at least 3 years as of the date of graduation from high shcool or received the equivalent of a high school diploma in Illinois.
- Student provides the university with an affidavit stating her/his intent to file an application to become a permanent resident of the U.S.
Students must file an NIU Affidavit (oath made in writing) stating that they meet the above conditions and that they will apply for legal residency as soon as they are eligible to do so. This affidavit is kept confidential by NIU.
Students must complete the steps listed below in order to apply for admission to NIU and petition for in-state residency:
- Complete an NIU undergraduate admissions application making sure to do the following:
- Enter "123-45-6789" for question 10 (U.S. Social Security Number).
- Choose "D" for question 19 (Citizenship) and answer the questions that follow.
- Submit the completed NIU undergraduate admissions application and all supporting documents: official high school transcripts, official ACT scores, and a personal statement.
- Complete the NIU Affidavit (signed and notarized by a notary public) and return it to Lisa Gambino at Records & Registration, Williston Hall 320, DeKalb, Illinois, 60115.
- Once you are accepted to NIU and you have submitted your official final high school transcript, you must contact Lisa Gambino at (815) 753-8218 to confirm your in-state residencey for tuition purposes otherwise you will be charged out-of-state tuition.
For further information please contact CHANCE Counselor Rosalyn Pedraza at (815) 753-7908. In addition, you may contact Susana Das Neves, Assistant Director of the Latino Resource Center at (815) 753-8645 or the NIU Admissions Office at (815) 753-0446.
