CrimsonCard 101

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 - Prepare your photo and ID verification documentation:

1. Take a headshot photo that meets ALL the requirements. The photo should resemble your driver’s license or state ID photo. The file size should not exceed 1.5 MB.
2. Take a photo of a valid government-issued photo ID (such as your driver’s license, passport, military ID, state ID, or school ID). You can redact any sensitive information if you prefer, but we must be able to see your photo, name, and the ID expiration date. The file size should not exceed 1.5 MB.

*Note – If you are unable to complete step 1, you have the option to visit the CrimsonCard office when you arrive on campus. We will verify your ID and take your photo in the office, and you will receive your CrimsonCard at that time.

Step 2 - Log in to your CrimsonCard account using your IU username and passphrase.

Step 3 - Select 'Get a New Card' at the top of the page.

Step 4 - In the How do you want to receive your new CrimsonCard dropdown menu, choose how you’d like to receive your CrimsonCard:

• Choose ‘Mail’ if you would like to receive your CrimsonCard in the mail*. Only choose this option if you are making your submission before Friday, December 13. Submissions after this date will be held for you to pick up at the CrimsonCard office when you arrive to campus.
• Choose ‘Pick up’ if you would like to pick your card up at the CrimsonCard office (or if you miss the deadline for having it mailed).

*Note: A CrimsonCard with your photo can only be mailed to addresses within the US. If you do not live in the US, refer to the section below titled “I am a student with a non-US mailing address and attending a virtual orientation program. How do I get my CrimsonCard?”

Step 5 - In the Reason dropdown menu, select ‘New Student – Initial Card – Attending Orientation’.

Step 6 - Provide additional information based on your choice for how to receive your card:

• If you chose ‘Mail’, complete the fields to provide your mailing address.
• If you chose ‘Pick up’, in the Pickup Location dropdown menu, choose ‘IU Bloomington New Student Orientation’. If you do not see this option, check the “See Other Locations” box to see all locations.

Step 7 – Upload the headshot photo for your CrimsonCard:

1. Check the “Provide your photo” box.
2. Click “Browse” to find and select your photo.
3. Use the Zoom and Rotate tools to adjust your photo if needed.
4. Check the box to acknowledge your photo meets the requirements.
5. Click on the “Continue” button.

Step 8 – Upload the photo of your ID verification documentation:

1. Click “Browse” to find and select the photo of your ID verification documentation.
2. Click on the “Submit” button.

Step 9 – You should see a confirmation message that your submission is being processed. CrimsonCard staff will review your submission (usually within 1-3 business days) and once processed you will receive an email to your IU email account indicating whether it was approved or denied.

If denied, the email will include the reason(s) for why it was denied. You can resubmit your photo and documentation after addressing the reason(s) it was denied. If you have questions or concerns, you can contact the CrimsonCard office for assistance.

If approved, you’ll receive your card via the method you chose:

• If you chose ‘Mail’, you should receive your card in the mail within 2 weeks (dependent on location and USPS processing time).
• If you chose ‘Pick up’ (or if you chose ‘Mail’ but missed the mailing deadline), your card will be available for you to pick up at the CrimsonCard office in the Wells Library (room W138) once you arrive to campus.

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 – Prepare your photo and ID verification documentation:

1. Take a headshot photo that meets ALL the requirements. The photo should resemble your driver’s license or state ID photo. The file size should not exceed 1.5 MB.
2. Take a photo of a valid government-issued photo ID (such as your driver’s license, passport, military ID, state ID, or school ID). You can redact any sensitive information if you prefer, but we must be able to see your photo, name, and the ID expiration date. The file size should not exceed 1.5 MB.

*Note – If you are unable to complete step 1, you have the option to visit the CrimsonCard office when you arrive on campus. We will verify your ID and take your photo in the office, and you will receive your CrimsonCard at that time.

Step 2 – Log in to your CrimsonCard account using your IU username and passphrase.

Step 3 – Select 'Get a New Card' at the top of the page.

Step 4 – In the How do you want to receive your new CrimsonCard dropdown menu, choose ‘Pick up’. You will pick your card up at the CrimsonCard office when you arrive on campus.

*Note: Do not choose the ‘Mail’ option. A CrimsonCard with your photo can only be mailed to addresses within the US. If you have a mailing address in the US and would like to have your card mailed, refer to the section above titled “I am a student living in the US and attending a virtual orientation program. How do I get my CrimsonCard?”

Step 5 – In the Reason dropdown menu, select ‘New Student – Initial Card – Attending Orientation’.

Step 6 – In the Pickup Location dropdown menu, choose ‘IU Bloomington New Student Orientation’. If you do not see this option, check the “See Other Locations” box to see all locations.

*Note: If you don’t see the Pickup Location dropdown menu but see Address fields instead, then refer to step 4 and make sure you’ve selected ‘Pick up’.

Step 7 – Upload the headshot photo for your CrimsonCard:

1. Check the “Provide your photo” box.
2. Click “Browse” to find and select your photo.
3. Use the Zoom and Rotate tools to adjust your photo if needed.
4. Check the box to acknowledge your photo meets the requirements.
5. Click on the “Continue” button.

Step 8 – Upload the photo of your ID verification documentation:

1. Click “Browse” to find and select the photo of your ID verification documentation.
2. Click on the “Submit” button.

Step 9 – You should see a confirmation message that your submission is being processed. CrimsonCard staff will review your submission (usually within 1-3 business days) and once processed you will receive an email to your IU email account indicating whether it was approved or denied.

If denied, the email will include the reason(s) for why it was denied. You can resubmit your photo and documentation after addressing the reason(s) it was denied. If you have questions or concerns, you can contact the CrimsonCard office for assistance.

If approved, your card will be available for you to pick up at the CrimsonCard office in the Wells Library (room W138) once you arrive to campus.

No, you do not need to submit a photo and documentation. Your CrimsonCard is valid for 6 years from the day it was originally printed, and you can only have one active CrimsonCard.

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

Remember to bring your CrimsonCard to campus with you!

If you are having difficulty uploading your photo and/or documentation, try these troubleshooting tips:

• Try using a different web browser or device to complete the submission process.
• Ensure that the image you’re uploading does not exceed 1.5 MB in size. If necessary, edit your photo to make it smaller (crop it or adjust the resolution/quality).
• Make sure you’re not uploading a “Live” photo.
• Make sure the file format is .jpg or .jpeg.
• Take a new photo and try again.

If you continue to experience difficulties, contact CrimsonCard support by emailing crimsoncard@iu.edu or calling (317) 274-0400.

If you are not able to successfully submit your photo/documentation, you can visit the CrimsonCard office when you arrive to campus. We will verify your ID and take your photo in the office, and you will receive your CrimsonCard at that time.

No, you do not have to upload your photo/documentation. However, we highly recommend it for the following reasons:

1. Submitting your own photo ensures you are satisfied with your photo. (If we take your photo in the office, we are not able to show you the photo before printing your card.)
2. Our office can get busy during move-in and the start of the semester. You can avoid the lines if you choose to have your card mailed to you (if eligible).
3. Even if you choose ‘Pick up’, submitting your photo online can expedite the process of getting your card in the office.

However, if you’re not able to submit your photo/documentation, you can visit the CrimsonCard office when you arrive to campus. We will verify your ID and take your photo in the office, and you will receive your CrimsonCard at that time.

Students that chose ‘Pick up’ or chose ‘Mail’ but missed the mailing deadline will be able to pick up their cards at the CrimsonCard office in the Wells Library (room W138).

Remember to bring a government-issued photo ID with you so that we can verify your identity when you pick up your card!

It’s not possible to make changes to how you’ll receive your CrimsonCard via the online system. However, if you chose ‘Mail’ and want to change it to ‘Pick up’, or you chose ‘Pick up’ and want to change it to ‘Mail’, contact CrimsonCard support by emailing crimsoncard@iu.edu or calling (317) 274-0400. We will review your options and if possible work to accommodate your request.

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 

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) made between November 21, 2024 - December 30, 2024. Here's how it works:

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

2. Disbursement Date: Financial aid for the Spring 2025 semester will be disbursed to your student bursar account on January 3, 2025.

3. Prioritization of Expenses: The financial aid will first be used to cover essential expenses such as tuition, fees, and other required costs.

4. CrimsonCard Coverage: If there is any remaining financial aid after covering the essential expenses, it may be used to pay for any CrimsonCard deposits you made between November 21, 2024, and December 30, 2024.

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.