Northeastern Illinois University alters enrollment policies due to COVID-19 pandemic

Adjusting to the standards and culture of a new school can be both challenging and rewarding. However, with the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic offering novel challenges to the transfer experience, Northeastern Illinois University’s Office of Enrollment Services will continue providing for incoming students to make a smooth transition to NEIU. 

According to Director of Undergraduate Admissions LaMont Vaughn, the forfeitures imposed by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s social distancing mandates limit how much assistance is available to students. Nevertheless, employees at NEIU’s Office of Enrollment Services continue working remotely to ensure that students retain access to simple enrollment

 “We’re restricted in what we can do, but we are still processing applications and admitting students,” said Vaughn. “The only difference is we are working remotely.” 

Although no employees are currently on campus, the Office of Enrollment Services modified their outreach strategies to stay connected with the NEIU student body. “We are still providing outreach to students and on the phone contacting our admitted students to make sure they get through the next steps of their admissions process,” said Vaughn. 

Northeastern Illinois University announced its plan to waive standardized tests (SAT and ACT) requirements for incoming freshmen. The announcement follows Illinois officials’ decision to postpone SAT testing from April to the end of August. 

NEIU also rescheduled the placement test required for incoming freshmen to the end of the summer. According to Vaughn, all incoming students are expected to consult with academic advisors to help determine which classes they are eligible for based on past academic records. However, the postponement of placement and standardized testing will not interfere with students picking classes. 

Incoming freshmen will receive more information about picking classes during their orientation, which will be hosted remotely. 

In regards to transfer students, Vaughn stated that no changes were made to the policy of their admission due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

According to interim Director of International Programs Cris Toffolo, international students will benefit from relaxed policies to enable an easier enrollment process.

Under normal conditions, students are afforded one campus visit postponement without penalty. “During the pandemic, if students need to defer again they won’t be charged as the change of plans likely would not be due to their own decisions, but caused by outside factors,” said Toffolo. According to Toffolo, such factors include closed borders, unavailable flights or student inability to schedule a Visa appointment. 

If an international student cannot visit NEIU for the fall 2020 semester, they can choose to come during spring 2021, summer 2021 or fall 2021 semesters. Toffolo also states that if NEIU continues offering remote instruction for the fall, international students will be allowed to forgo traditional requirements to enroll at NEIU. 

Toffolo added English-language exams are accepted online for the fall semester. Interested students should contact [email protected]