Find Your Community

As part of the Huskie pack, you’ll make friends and memories on our beautiful campus. Our range of organizations and activities reflects the diversity of our cultures, interests and perspectives. Visit out Student Life website to find ways to connect, get involved and explore all our community has to offer.

Want to meet new people, be connected, and get involved? Join us at the Involvement Fair  to meet members of NIU's active student organizations, connect with NIU departments and get more information about upcoming campus events.

Day 1: Involvement Fair — Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Ellington Ballroom, Holmes Student Center.

Day 2: Virtual Involvement Fair — Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, all day on Huskie Hub, Holmes Student Center.

Career Services offers a variety of events that provide opportunities to connect with employers, explore internships, and plan for your future career. All events are listed on our calendar for easy reference: NIU Career Services Calendar Below are several events scheduled for the spring semester that you should add to your calendar now:

Students taking 9 or more credit hours are automatically billed $1,378.00 for student health insurance for spring 2026. You can find more information regarding the plan on our Student Health Insurance website. 

If you have comparable insurance and would like to cancel the plan the Student Health Insurance Enrollment and Waiver site is open through Feb. 28, 2026.  You will find the link to Enroll/Waive in the blue box on our website.  This is an online process only.

Have any questions?  Email us at studentinsurance@niu.edu.  

The waiver deadline is firm; therefore, students who do not waive the student health insurance by Feb. 28 will be enrolled for annual coverage under the plan and no refund will be given.

NOTE: If you completed the insurance waiver for the Fall 2025 semester, you do not need to complete the insurance waiver for the Spring 2026 semester.

Planning to Graduate in May 2026? Apply by Feb. 15!

Feb. 15 is the final application deadline to be a candidate for spring (May 2026) graduation.  Log in to MyNIU, select the Academic Records tile and follow the application for graduation steps. 

Join the NIU Foundation for Thankuary, NIU’s student gratitude event.

On Tuesday, Jan. 27, stop by Neptune Hall (11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Trident Room across from the fireplace) or Patterson Hall (5 to 8 p.m., lounge across from the central front desk) to thank NIU donors who make scholarships, campus programs and student experiences possible.

Write a note or record a video message, enjoy hot cocoa and cookies, and enter to win prizes. Your gratitude helps show donors the difference they make for Huskies like you.

Questions? Email donorrelations@niu.edu.

Change Your Future While Keeping More in Your Pocket.

Applying for scholarships is a great way to help pay for your NIU education. Scholarships do not need to be repaid and are awarded based on a variety of factors, including academic achievement and financial need.

You can now search and apply for most NIU scholarships online in MyScholarships. The deadline for many scholarships is January 31, 2026. 

Join us as we honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and embrace the spirit of the National Day of Racial Healing through a week dedicated to advocacy, connection and justice. Together, we will empower students to be advocates for themselves, foster a sense of belonging and build bridges across our community.

Through acts of service and transformative dialogue, each event invites us to reflect, connect and act toward equity and collective care. Let’s celebrate Dr. King’s vision by creating spaces where voices are heard, communities are strengthened and justice is pursued.

Take advantage of Kaplan’s industry-leading test prep – for free! Enroll at Go.Kaplan.com/Illinois to secure up to 12 months of access to prepare for admissions exams, career credentials, licensure and skills development courses including MCAT, LSAT,  NCLEX-RN, CPA and many more.

Whether you're thinking of attending grad school or joining the workforce once you graduate, don’t miss out on high-quality, realistic test prep that will give you a head start on your future.

Enrollment for this free program is scheduled to end Feb. 28, so go ahead and sign up today!

Presidents Student Service and Leadership Awards Application is Live

The Presidential Student Service Leadership Awards Ceremony honors students who have made a significant contribution to our NIU community. We recognize these students in a variety of categories, including class standing (freshman through graduate), Steven Agee II award, our multiple student organization awards, and our Presidential Student Service and Leadership Award.

Students who are interested in applying for any of these awards should visit our Student Involvement website to review the different awards and will need to complete the application process. Those who are looking to recommend or nominate student can do so, too. If you have any questions about the application process, please feel free to contact studentinvolvement@niu.edu. Applications and nominations are due 11:59 p.m., March 6.