CrimsonCard 101

Welcome to Indiana University Southeast!

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

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

How do I get my CrimsonCard?

You must be registered to attend a New Student Orientation program and have your IUS 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'  located at the top of the page in the main menu. 

Step 3 - Click 'Browse' to find and 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 ‘Browse’. It is recommended to mask any sensitive information (SSN, driver's license number, etc.) before uploading the document photo. Acceptable file types include .pdf, .jpg, .png and .gif. Maximum file size 1.5mb.  

Step 5 - Select how you would like to receive your CrimsonCard - mail or pick up.

Step 6 - If choosing mail*, you must provide your mailing address. It can take up to 3 weeks to receive your CrimsonCard. If you need it sooner, select pick up as your option. 

If choosing pick up, select IU Southeast New Student Orientation as your location. 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 on campus or can request a no-photo CrimsonCard be mailed. 

Step 7 - Notification will be sent to your University email within 3 business days informing you that your photo and documentation were either approved or denied.  

If approved, your CrimsonCard will be printed and mailed to the address provided. If pick up was selected, you will receive notification from IU Southeast as to where you will pick up your CrimsonCard upon arriving to campus for orientation.  

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

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

  • Background must be SOLID, smooth, and white, grey, or light in color.
  • Must be current (taken within the last 6 months).
  • Do not use any filters to alter the photo. 
  • 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 make both images (photo and documentation) smaller. If this does not work, try a different browser or device. If you continue to experience difficulties, contact CrimsonCard at crimsoncard@iu.edu.

YES but it can take up to 3 weeks to receive it by mail! If you upload an approved photo and documentation verifying your identity, you have the option to have your CrimsonCard mailed directly to you.  Simply select 'Mail' and provide your mailing address during the photo/documentation upload process. Your CrimsonCard should arrive within three weeks.

Please note this 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 on campus or request a no-photo CrimsonCard be mailed.  

Yes! If you upload an approved photo and documentation verifying your identity, you have the option to pick up your CrimsonCard while at orientation. 

You are strongly encouraged to upload your photo and documentation verifying your identity online. If you would like to have your photo taken in-person you can do so by visiting the UITS/CrimsonCard office located in Uniersity Center room 212. 

Please remember to bring a photo ID such as a driver's license, passport, state ID, military ID, or current high school ID. Your picture will be taken and you will recieve your CrimsonCard at that time. 

No! If you already have CrimsonCard, you do not need to get another one. Your CrimsonCard is valid for 6 years from the day it was 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 card will be printed and given to you 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 and on the Grubhub app
  • 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

Registered students can deposit funds by logging into their CrimsonCard account. These deposits can be paid for using a debit/credit card or can be billed to your student bursar account. 

Website Bursar Deposit - Available only to current students, deposits billed to your bursar account can be paid for using financial aid (requires a completed Title IV form) including scholarships, grants, and 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. Other Terms and Conditions apply. 

Website Deposit - Available to anyone, deposits can be made 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 Southeast off-campus locations that accept CrimsonCash include: 

  • Kroger Grocery Store
  • Jimmy John's
  • Skyline Chili
  • Which Wich
  • Sav-A-Step
  • Grubhub
  • And more!

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

  • Any dining location on-campus
  • Parking Services
  • Campus bookstore
  • 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!

You can manage your CrimsonCash account online at crimsoncard.iu.edu by clicking '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 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 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?

You can make deposits to your CrimsonCash account and bill them 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 to your CrimsonCash account by August 5, 2022. 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 5, 2022. 

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 5, 2022, 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 5, 2022. 

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 bank account or sent to you via a check.