Mail Forwarding

NIU Housing and Residential Services can only forward First-Class U.S. Mail up to six (6) months after a student leaves the residence halls and apartments. Packages are sent back to the provider once a student has left the residence halls. Here are tips to make sure your mail and packages can reach you once you leave.

How to Forward Your Mail

To forward your mail properly please change your address and other U.S. post office services. Update your MyNiu information to make sure your permanent address is accurate and up to date.

To let the United States Postal Service (USPS) know you are going to change your address so they can forward your mail to your new location, you have two options:

• Go to the USPS website to change your address online.
  • This is the fastest and easiest way, and you immediately get an email confirming the change.
  • The USPS will charge you a $1.05 fee to change your address online. You will need a credit or debit card and a valid email address. The $1.05 charge to your card is an identity verification fee to prevent fraud and make sure you are the one making the change.
  • Warning: You do not need to pay a separate company to change your address. Scammers may charge $40 or more to do what you can do for just $1.05 using the moving section of the official USPS.com website.

• Go to your local post office and request a mover's guide packet.
  • Inside the packet is PS Form 3575. Fill out this change of address form and give it to a postal worker behind the counter. drop it into the letter mail slot inside the post office.

How To Forward Your Packages/Deliveries

Housing and Residential Life cannot forward packages after a student has left campus. You must update your accounts with online retailers (Amazon, etc.) and make sure they have your new address before you place an order.

Do not place a shipment order within 14 days of your campus departure with your residence hall address. Chances are it will arrive after you have left and will be returned to the sender.