1. How do I obtain a transcript?
Present your photo ID at the Registration and Records office in Williston Hall 220. The cost is $5.00 per official transcript. There is no charge for unofficial transcripts. If you will be mailing or faxing a request please read the information on requesting transcripts.
2. What is the turnaround time to get a transcript mailed?
A normal turn around time to process a transcript request is 2-3 business days, assuming all required information is included in the request. The turn around time may be longer during heavy request weeks, such as at the end of the semester.
3. How can I track my transcript request?
Call the transcript office at (815) 753-0998.
4. How do I take a class at Northern Illinois University?
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 on the undergraduate programs page or in the current Undergraduate Catalog. Graduate level students should contact the Graduate School at (815) 753-0395.
5. How do I drop or withdraw from a class? Are there deadlines and how do I find out what they are?
Drops can be handled through the TRACS system 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. A list of dates are call be viewed on the semester dates and deadlines page.
6. How can I find out when and where a class is meeting?
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.
7. Where can I obtain a listing of all of the on- or off-campus courses offered by the university?
A listing is available on the find courses page.
8. How do I keep my information from being available to the public?
Submit a signed "Request to Prevent Disclosure of Directory Information" form, available from Registration and Records in Williston Hall, room 220 or download the form.
9. How do I change my grade to pass/fail?
Refer to the Undergraduate Catalog section titled "Academic Regulations." Use TRACS (815) 753-8900 or WebConnect to make the change before the drop deadline. After the drop deadline and up to the end of the third week of the semester or summer term contact the Office of Registration and Records. After the pass/fail deadline, contact your major college to authorize the change and submit that information to Registration and Records.
10. How soon can I get my grades after I take my final exam?
Grades are posted each semester on the TRACS web site generally at noon the Wednesday following finals week and are available on WebConnect.
11. My instructor filled out a change of grade form and sent it to Registration and Records. Why hasn't my grade been changed yet?
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 Registration and Records office at (815) 753-0681.
12. How do I calculate hours that are needed in reaching a certain GPA?
To calculate this information, use the GPA Calculator.
13. How do I calculate my major GPA?
The Undergraduate Catalog (specifically the University Graduation Requirements section) has detailed information pertaining to major GPA calculations. A student's major GPA is calculated using all courses taken in the major department unless the department states otherwise.
14. How do I obtain my Z-ID number?
Call Computer Services at (815) 752-7738.
For more information, visit the ITS website.
15. Where can I obtain help with my Northern Illinois University email address?
Call the NIU help desk at (815) 753-8100.
16. Why haven't I received a bill for my classes from the university?
Billing questions are handled directly by the Bursars Office at (815) 753-1885 or via email at bursar@niu.edu
17. How long does it take to process an admissions application?
It depends on the student's classification and is dependent upon the submission of all necessary paperwork to the university. Typically, an undergraduate application takes 2-3 weeks to process, a graduate application 3-6 weeks.
18. Are freshman students allowed to live off campus?
University housing policy requires that all single students classified as freshmen (under 30 hours of college credit) who have not reached the age of 21 and are not residing with a parent or legal guardian must live in university residence halls as long as space is available. Other students may also apply for rooms in the residence halls.
19. Where can I obtain a copy of my university medical record?
Contact Health Service Records and Release at (815) 753-1318.
20. Where does a student or faculty member obtain help with blackboard?
Contact the help desk at (815) 753-8100. Or you can get online assistance for Blackboard.
If you have any questions that were not addressed here in this FAQ, please feel free to contact the NIU Office of Registration and Records by phone (815) 753-0681 or by e-mail at regrec@niu.edu.