CrimsonCard 101

Your CrimsonCard. Now on your phone!

CrimsonCard, your official IU photo ID, now comes in digital form! Use it on your Apple or Android device to access services and functions, such as: 

  • Making Purchases: Use your CrimsonCard to make purchases on- and off-campus, including on the Grubhub app.
  • Building Access: Grants secure entry into various IU buildings, including residence halls.
  • Meal Plan Use: Use it to access your meal plan at campus dining facilities.
  • Printing: Allows for printing services while on campus.
  • Recreational Access: Provides entry to sports and recreation facilities.

How to get your digital CrimsonCard

Step 1 – Prepare your CrimsonCard photo and ID verification documentation.

  • Say cheese! Take or find a headshot picture that meets the photo requirements for your CrimsonCard. The photo should resemble your driver's license or state ID photo.
  • Verifying you’re you! Take a photo of your valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, military ID, state ID, or school ID). Redact any sensitive information you prefer, but we must be able to see your photo, name, date of birth, and expiration date. Your saved file should be in jpg format and not exceed 1.5 MB.

Step 2 - Log in to Card Management using your IU credentials.

Step 3 - Upload your photo for your CrimsonCard.

  • Select the 'Get a New Card' link found in the navigation menu.
  • Select 'Browse' to find and select the headshot photo you want on your CrimsonCard. Once selected, make any wanted adjustments to your photo’s zoom or orientation in the preview displayed.
  • Select the ‘I acknowledge my photo meets ALL the photo requirements’ box to confirm it meets CrimsonCard photo requirements.
  • Select 'Continue'.

Step 4 - Upload the photo of your ID verification documentation.

  • Select ‘Browse’ to find and upload your redacted identification document. Reminder that we must be able to see your photo, name, date of birth, and expiration date.
  • Select ‘Submit’.
  • You're done...for now!

An email will be sent to your Indiana University email once your photo has been reviewed, informing you that your photo and documentation were either approved or denied.

  • If approved, visit the digital CrimsonCard webpage to learn how to set it up on your mobile device. **Your photo must be approved before you can begin setting up your digital CrimsonCard.**
  • If denied, resubmit a photo and verification documentation that meets the requirements. 

Yes - you’re eligible for the digital CrimsonCard! Just note that only one card can be active at a time. Once you activate the digital version, your physical card will be deactivated.

If you choose to set up your digital CrimsonCard, you can use your current photo on file or submit a new photo.

To get started, visit the digital CrimsonCard webpage.

If you choose to use your physical CrimsonCard and it has a different campus printed on it, it will still work across all campuses. 

How to use your CrimsonCard for payment.

CrimsonCash is money deposited into your CrimsonCash account. These funds can be used to make purchases anywhere CrimsonCash is accepted, both on- and off-campus, including on the Grubhub app. Every current student has a CrimsonCash account and can make deposits.  

Benefits of using CrimsonCash:

  • Convenient access to funds
  • Can use funds at any IU campus
  • Make deposits as needed
  • Unused funds roll over year to year
  • Manage your account online, including deactivating a lost card
  • More secure than using cash

Website Bursar Deposit - Registered students can deposit funds in any amount (up to $1,750 per bursar term) from the CrimsonCard website. These deposits can be billed to your student bursar account. 

Deposits billed to your bursar account can be paid for using financial aid (requires a completed Title IV form), scholarships, grants, 529 funds, or any form of payment accepted by the Bursar Office. Please note, multiple deposits totaling no more than $1,750 per bursar term can be billed to your student bursar account. Terms and Conditions apply. 

Website Deposit - Anyone can make a deposit to your CrimsonCash account from the CrimsonCard website using a debit/credit card or PayPal. A $2.50 fee applies to each deposit made. 

Funds on your CrimsonCard can be used at over 100 locations statewide, both on- and off-campus. CrimsonCash can also be used on the Grubhub app, giving you access to almost 300,000 vendors nationwide!

Below are just some of off-campus locations that accept CrimsonCash at IU Bloomington:  

  • Kroger Grocery Store
  • Grubhub
  • Jimmy Johns 
  • Chipotle
  • Noodles & Co.
  • Qdoba
  • Pizza X
  • Five Guys
  • WingsXtreme
  • BuffaLouie's
  • And More

On-campus CrimsonCash can be used at locations such as: 

  • Any dining location on-campus
  • Campus bookstore
  • Coke vending machines
  • Campus parking meters
  • And More

Grubhub now accepts CrimsonCash as a form of payment, giving all CrimsonCard holders access to over 300,000 restaurants in 4,000+ U.S. cities. 

Even better, once you affiliate with your IU campus and add CrimsonCard as a payment option, you'll be eligible to receive Grubhub+ for FREE, which means no delivery fees! Just be on the lookout for an email inviting you to join Grubhub+!

Visit Grubhub FAQ for details on how to use your CrimsonCard on the Grubhub app!

Yes, you can manage your CrimsonCash account online at crimsoncard.iu.edu clicking on 'Manage My ID Card' and logging in with your username and passphrase. 

From here, you can: 

  • Make a deposit
  • Check your balance
  • View your transaction history
  • Set up automatic account notifications
  • Locate your 16-digit card number 

Bursar Account, Financial Aid and how it relates to CrimsonCash

Every Indiana University student has a bursar account, where you manage expenses like tuition, fees, CrimsonCard deposits, housing, and meal plans. Scholarships and financial aid may be applied to your bursar account to reduce the amount you owe Indiana University.   

Bursar bills are sent on the third Thursday of each month and are due by the 10th of the following month.

How does my bursar bill relate to my CrimsonCard?
When you deposit funds to your CrimsonCash account, you can charge the deposit(s) to your student bursar account. This amount will appear on your next bursar bill and can be paid using any method of payment accepted by the burar office. 

For example, if you make a $100 CrimsonCash deposit to purchase a textbook and bill it to your bursar account, you will owe $100 on your next bursar bill. 

If you are receiving financial aid, including grants, scholarships, or loans, there is a possibility it will pay for your CrimsonCard deposit(s) made between July 17, 2025 - August 11, 2025. Here's how it works:

Complete the Title IV Form: To be eligible for financial aid to cover non-essential costs like CrimsonCard deposits, you must complete the Title IV form.

Prioritization of Expenses: Financial aid will first cover essential expenses such as tuition, fees, and other required costs. Any aid remaining will be applied to non-essential expenses.

CrimsonCard Coverage: If there is any remaining financial aid after covering the essential expenses, it may be used to pay for any CrimsonCard deposits made between July 17, 2025, and August 11, 2025.

It's recommended that questions about financial aid be directed to a representative from the Financial Aid office.

While you can't directly bill your textbook purchase to your bursar account, you can bill a CrimsonCash deposit to your bursar account. You can then use your CrimsonCard to purchase your textbooks at the campus bookstore.

If you make a CrimsonCard deposit before August 11, 2025, and have a signed Title IV form on file, there is a possibility your financial aid will pay for your CrimsonCard deposit(s) made between July 17, 2025, and  August 11, 2025. 

You can then use your CrimsonCard to purchase textbooks and supplies from the campus bookstore. 

Otherwise, if you are receiving a financial aid refund, you can wait for it to be directly deposited into your account or sent to you via a check.