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Student Emergency Fund
The Student Emergency Fund at Northern Illinois University

The Student Emergency Fund at NIU was established in April 2020 to aid students needing assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The fund provides critical dollars that assist with needs such as rent, medical expenses, food, utilities, and technology. The Student Emergency Fund has been awarded to over 3,600 students and has helped them to persist at NIU in their pursuit of college degree.


Thank yous from students who have received grants:


“Receiving this grant helped me support myself and my children while attending school and allowed me to help focus on my studies.  As the single adult in my household, the financial burden rests solely on my shoulders, and the grant helped with financial obligations while my children and were participating in remote learning. With the upheaval during the pandemic, I was grateful for the extra assistance.”  --Heather Turner, Early Education

“Thank you so much for the assistance it will significantly help with the stress from school and also (the stress) Covid-19 has placed onto me." --Michael Nelson, Electrical Engineering 

“I just wanted to take time to say that I am beyond grateful for the assistance I was granted. The money will help me focus on my studies for the remainder of the semester. Thank you to everyone who is part of the center for student assistance.” --Marisol Franco, Accountancy


$40,000
The Shigley Challenge for 1,500 Gifts
Proud NIU alumnus John Shigley '78, wants to see Huskies United 2021 reach 1,500 gifts. When that milestone is hit, it will unlock his $40,000 gift to support student scholarships into our totals.
1,500 / 1,500 Gifts
Completed
$2,500
GEICO Student Emergency Fund Challenge
GEICO cares about NIU’s future alumni and wants to encourage gifts to the Student Emergency Fund. When 50 gifts are made to the Student Emergency Fund during Huskies United, it will unlock a gift of $2,500 from GEICO. When 100 gifts are made, it will unlock an additional gift of $2,500.
100 / 100 Gifts
Completed
$700
Faculty-Staff Challenge for the Student Emergency Fund
NIU staff member Dan Pedersen is challenging NIU faculty and staff to donate to the Student Emergency Fund. When 20 faculty/staff gifts to the Student Emergency Fund are received during Huskies United, it will unlock $700.
20 / 20 Gifts
Completed
$150,000
Banks-Erickson Huskies United Participation Challenge
NIU alumnus Raymond Banks ‘86 and Eric Erickson want to see the NIU family come together for Huskies United. When 1,000 gifts are made during Huskies United, a gift of $150,000 will be unlocked into our totals to support student scholarships.
1,000 / 1,000 Gifts
Completed
$1,500
NIU Chief of Staff New Donor Challenge
NIU’s Chief of Staff, Dr. Matt Streb, wants to inspire new donations to NIU. When 25 people make their first-ever gift to whatever area they choose during Huskies United, it will unlock his donation of $1,500 into our totals.
25 / 25 Gifts
Completed
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Or you can contact us at northernfund@niu.edu.