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Graduate Student-at-Large (Non-Degree Seeking)

Reply to Offer of Admission

Let us know if you plan to attend NEIU! This will help us prepare for your arrival and guide you through the important next steps. Access the “Intent to Enroll” button by logging into your applications portal at neiu.edu/apply:

  • 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
  • Submit your response

Set Up Your NEIUport Account

First, activate your account in NEIUport, the University’s secure online portal, so you can access information, your Nmail, online tools, services and more. Once activated, explore the Current Student tab in NEIUport to learn how to:

  • Check the status of financial aid awards (if applicable).
  • Look up, register, and pay for classes.
  • 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.
  • Use the Degree Evaluation tool to model how your credits will count towards fulfilling the requirements for any undergraduate degree program at Northeastern Illinois University.

Nmail is your University-issued email account. You will be provided with your Nmail address during the NEIUport activation process. The password you create for NEIUport will be the same password you will use to log in to your Nmail account. 

Official University communications will be sent to your Nmail account. You will be responsible for reading and responding to these communications, so please be sure to check your Nmail daily.

N-Safe is the system the University uses to provide students, faculty and staff with security and school closure alerts. Sign up for N-Safe and choose how you'd like notifications to be sent to you – by email and/or text message.

After activating your NEIUport account, you can access additional University accounts and Student Computing Services (SCS) computer lab workstations at all Northeastern locations. Use your NETID/username and the password you created when you activate your NEIUport account to access the workstations and your other Northeastern online accounts.

Desire to Learn (D2L) is an online learning environment that houses syllabi, course materials and tools you will use for many of the courses you will take at Northeastern. D2L also enables you to communicate with the faculty members teaching your courses and your classmates. Familiarize yourself with D2L before your first day of classes.

Register for Classes

After meeting with your Graduate Advisor, peruse the class schedule and register for classes via NEIUport.

Provide immunization records

All students must provide documentation of immunization/vaccination history to Northeastern Illinois University Student Health Services. Instructions are available online. Discounted vaccinations and free immunization reviews are available at NEIU Student Health Services.

All students are required to provide documentation of COVID-19 vaccination or a COVID-19 vaccination exemption form to the NEIU Health Portal. Students who are approved for a COVID-19 vaccination exemption are required to submit weekly test results. Return to Campus-Student Information has further details. Additionally, proof of other routine immunizations must be submitted to NEIU Student Health Services. Instructions are available online.

Additional Information

Deferring Your Admission

To request a deferral of your application or admission for up to one year, please log into your application portal and complete the Deferment Request of Application or Admission Form.

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Social Justice Leadership Program

Program Overview

The Social Justice Leadership Program (SJLP) is for incoming freshman and transfer students who want to spend their first two semesters at NEIU in a program that emphasizes social justice. The program includes enrollment in one (for freshmen) or two (for transfer students) courses related to social justice in the fall semester, and either one or two additional courses related to social justice in the spring semester (depending on the student’s preference). In the spring semester, the courses include leadership training and provide hands-on experience enacting social change. Many of the courses included in the program satisfy additional graduation requirements; the program is designed to not slow students’ progress toward graduation. 

A major benefit of the Social Justice Leadership Program is that students who are accepted into the program receive an award to pay for all unmet costs of their campus housing for both the Fall and Spring semesters (“all unmet costs” refers to the remaining housing costs after all of the student’s financial aid is applied). All students live on the same floor of The Nest, NEIU’s residence hall, in a Living Learning Community.

In addition to the coursework and community living arrangements, students in the program will benefit from co-curricular activities, including a monthly event for all SJLP students, such as a guest speaker, a special group activity on campus, or an off-campus group outing. Students also have an option to participate in an Alternative Spring Break trip beyond Illinois to learn more about social justice and to participate in service activities. 

The Social Justice Leadership Program is a superb way to get your bearings at NEIU while also getting your bearings in complex social issues. 

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to apply for the Social Justice Leadership Program, students must meet the following criteria:

  • Be an admitted first-time freshman or transfer student in an NEIU degree program
  • Have a FAFSA (or RISE Act State Alternative Application) on file with NEIU
  • Maintain a full-time course load of at least 12 credits per semester
  • Enroll in one or two social justice-related courses for both fall and spring semesters, as advised
  • Meet individually with the SJLP Coordinator three times per semester (beginning, middle and end) to discuss your academic progress, needs for support, and future plans

Application Process

There is no cost attached to this program or to its application. Applications are accepted each year beginning on April 1 and close on July 30; no new students are admitted to the program other than in August at the start of the fall semester. 

For the Fall 2021-Spring 2022 academic year, the Social Justice Leadership Program is able to accept 25 freshmen (0-29 college credits) and up to 15 transfer students. There is a two-step application process: completing an application form and participating in a 20-minute virtual interview. The application process is expected to be competitive, but prior academic excellence and social justice experience are not strong determining factors in who will be accepted. Instead, acceptance criteria include a strong interest in learning more about social justice, a commitment to participate in the program fully, a commitment to earning a GPA of at least 2.5, and housing needs. No recommendation letters are required. Students of color and other marginalized identities are especially encouraged to apply. Students who are undocumented are also encouraged to apply but are asked to self-identify their status to allow the University to budget for any awards received by undocumented students with an alternate funding source. 

You may begin your application for the Fall 2021-Spring 2022 Social Justice Leadership Program by clicking on the link below. Once you have submitted your application, you will be contacted within a few days to schedule an interview. Interviews will be conducted whenever there are 10 or more applicants who have completed the written portion of the application. Within a week of your application, you will be contacted with a decision indicating either that you have been accepted into the program or that you have been placed on a waiting list in case there are still open spots remaining in the program at the end of July. All decisions will be announced by Aug. 1.

All award decisions will be made by the SJLP Coordinator and the members of the SJLP Advisory Council. Decisions will be made on a rolling basis throughout the summer until all spots in the program are filled.

If you have any questions about the SJLP prior to beginning your application, you may contact the SJLP Coordinator by emailing Dr. Vicki Byard at v-byard@neiu.edu. You will receive a reply within a few days.