CrimsonCard 101

Welcome to Indiana University!

CrimsonCard is the official photo ID card for all Indiana University campuses.

It provides access to essential features and services including, making purchases both on- and off- campus (including the Grubhub app), gaining secure entry into IU buildings including residence halls, using your meal plan, printing while on campus, accessing sports and recreation facilities and more! 

How do I get my CrimsonCard?

If attending orientation on-campus, you will receive your CrimsonCard at this time. Please do NOT request to have your CrimsonCard mailed directly to you.

Below is a step-by-step guide to getting your CrimsonCard.

Step 1 Log in to your CrimsonCard account using your IU username and passphrase.

Step 2 - Click 'Get a New Card'

Step 3 - Find or take a headshot photo of yourself that meets ALL the requirements. Click 'Browse' to find and select your picture. Check the box to confirm it meets all the requirements, and click 'Continue'.

Step 4 - To verify your identity, upload a photo of your driver's license, passport, military ID, state ID, or school ID by clicking 'Browse'. Mask any sensitive information (SSN, driver's license number, etc.) before uploading the document photo. Acceptable file types include .pdf, .jpg, and .png. Maximum file size 1.5MB.  

Step 5 - When prompted to select how you want to receive your CrimsonCard, choose ‘Pick up’ and select ‘IU Bloomington New Student Orientation’ as the pick-up location. Click ‘Submit’

If you are not attending on-campus orientation, select 'Mail Out' and provide your mailing address. Please note, CrimsonCards can only be mailed to addresses within the United States. If you have an international address, you can pick up your card upon arriving on campus or can request a no-photo CrimsonCard

**If you choose ‘Mail Out' and it is verified you are attending orientation in person, your card will NOT be mailed. Your card will be held for your orientation program.

Step 6 - Notification will be sent to your University email address within three business days. It will inform you that your photo and verification documentation was either approved or denied.  

If approved, your CrimsonCard will be printed. Once you arrive to campus for your orientation program, your card will be distributed to you during the check-in process. Be sure to bring your photo ID (driver’s license, passport, etc.) with you so that your identity can be verified.

If you selected to have it mailed, it will be mailed to the address you provided. It can take up to three weeks to receive your CrimsonCard via mail. 

If denied, you need to resubmit a photo and documentation that meet the requirements. 

You must have a new student orientation reservation and have your IU username and passphrase to begin the process of getting your CrimsonCard. 

Step 1 Log in to your CrimsonCard account using your IU username and passphrase.

Step 2 - Click 'Get a New Card'

Step 3 - Find or take a headshot photo that meets ALL the requirements. Click 'Browse' to select your photo. Check the box to confirm it meets all the requirements, and click ‘Continue’.

Step 4 - To verify your identity, upload a photo of your driver's license, passport, military ID, state ID, or school ID by clicking the ‘Browse’ button. Mask any sensitive information (SSN, driver's license number, etc.) before uploading the document photo. Acceptable file types include .pdf, .jpg, and .png. Maximum file size 1.5mb.  

Step 5 - When prompted to select how you want to receive your CrimsonCard, choose ‘Mail out’, enter your mailing address*, and click ‘Submit’.

*Please note CrimsonCards can only be mailed to addresses within the United States. Students with an international address can pick up their card upon arriving to campus or can request a no-photo CrimsonCard be mailed.

Step 6 - Notification will be sent to your University email address within three business days informing you that your photo and documentation was either approved or denied.  

If approved, your CrimsonCard will be printed and mailed. It can take up to 3 weeks to receive your CrimsonCard via the mail. 

If denied, you'll need to resubmit a photo and documentation that meet the requirements.

 

Your headshot photo MUST meet ALL the requirements below to be approved!

  • Background must be SOLID, smooth, and white, gray, or light in color.
  • Must be current (taken within the last 6 months).
  • Do not use any filters to alter the photo (resist the temptation).
  • Must be passport-style: forward-facing, head and top of the shoulders in the frame. 
  • Your entire face must be visible. Please no hats, sunglasses, headphones, scarves, hairstyles etc. that obstruct your face. (Religious head coverings are permitted.)
  • Color photos only.
  • Photo must include only you - no pets, friends, props, etc. allowed.
  • Natural or neutral expression/smile
  • Photo must be a .jpg, .pdf, .gif, or .png file format.
  • 1.5 MB file size limit

If you are having difficulty uploading your photo and documentation try making both images (photo and documentation) a smaller size. If this does not work, try a different browser and/or device. If you continue to experience difficulties contact CrimsonCard at crimsoncard@iu.edu.

Yes, but the option to have it mailed should only be used by students who are NOT attending an on-campus orientation. It can take up to 3 weeks to receive it by mail. 

Please note, the mailing option is only available to those with an address within the United States. Students with an international address can pick up their CrimsonCard upon arrival to campus or request a no-photo CrimsonCard be mailed.  

Yes! If you upload an approved photo and documentation verifying your identity, you will receive your CrimsonCard while attending on-campus orientation. If you are unable to get it at orientation, it will be available for pick up during centralized move-in in August or at the CrimsonCard office on campus.

You are strongly encouraged to upload your photo and documentation verifying your identity online. If you would like to have your photo taken and receive your card in the CrimsonCard office you can do so by visiting room 090 of the IMU. 

Please remember to bring a photo ID such as a driver's license, passport, state ID, military ID, or current school ID.  

No! If you already have a CrimsonCard you do not need to get another one. Your CrimsonCard is valid for 6 years from the day it was originally printed.

If your CrimsonCard has a different campus printed on it, it will still work! If you would like to update it, visit the CrimsonCard office when convenient and bring your current CrimsonCard. An updated CrimsonCard will be printed at that time.

Using CrimsonCash to make purchases

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
  • The account cannot be overdrawn
  • 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 150 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!

At IU some off-campus locations that accept CrimsonCash include: 

  • Kroger Grocery Store
  • Grubhub
  • CVS
  • Jimmy Johns 
  • Chipotle
  • Noodles and Compnay
  • 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
  • Barnes and Noble campus bookstore
  • Coke vending machines
  • Campus parking meters
  • IU Varsity Shop
  • 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 your CrimsonCard as a payment option, you'll be eligible to receive Grubhub+ for FREE, which means no delivery fees, and a $10 Grubhub+ perk. 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 the 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
  • Deactivate a lost or stolen CrimsonCard
  • Set up automatic account notifications
  • Locate your 16-digit card number 

Bursar Account, Financial Aid and how it relates to CrimsonCash

Every student has a bursar account. This online account is where you'll manage your finances associated with attending Indiana University. Some common expenses charged to your bursar account include tuition, fees, CrimsonCard deposits, housing, meal plans etc. 

Any scholarships and financial aid you receive may be applied to your bursar account, lowering the amount you owe the University.

The University will send your bursar bill to you on the third Thursday of every month. That bill is due to be paid by the 10th of the following month.

How does my bursar bill relate to my CrimsonCard?
When you deposit funds to your CrimsonCash account, those deposits can be billed to your student bursar account. These deposits can then be paid for using any method of payment accepted by the Bursar office.

For example, you instantly deposit $100 to your CrimsonCash account to purchase a textbook. You choose to pay for this $100 deposit by billing it to your bursar account. When you receive your next bursar bill, you will owe the University $100 for the CrimsonCash deposit you made.

If you are receiving financial aid, including grants, scholarships, or loans, there is a possibility it will pay for your CrimsonCard deposit(s). For this to be a possibility, you must deposit funds for the Fall semester to your CrimsonCash account by August 4, 2023. This date ensures your deposit is complete before financial aid is disbursed to your bursar account. You must also complete a Title IV form

Financial aid will cover the cost of essential expenses first. These expenses include tuition, fees, amongst many more. If aid remains after paying the essential expenses, it could pay for CrimsonCard deposits made by August 4, 2023. 

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 4, 2023, and have a signed Title IV form on file, there is a possibility your financial aid will pay for your CrimsonCard deposit(s) made before August 4, 2023. 

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 direct deposited into your account or sent to you via a check.