Terms and Conditions
The CrimsonCard Photo ID (“Card”) is issued by Indiana University (“University”) to its students and employees, and others associated with Indiana University, to verify their identity and manage access to University services and facilities. The Card credentials are issued in multiple forms including, but not limited to, a physical Card and a digital Card (i.e., in a digital wallet and/or on a watch).
The Card also functions as a stored value card, and is associated with an account, the “CrimsonAccount.”
This agreement (this "Agreement") is entered into between University and each student, employee, or other individual issued a Card (each, “Cardholder”).
In exchange for being issued a Card, Cardholder agrees to abide by, and be subject to, all pertinent University policies, including, but not limited to:
- Official University Identification Card Policy UA-13, https://policies.iu.edu/policies/ua-13-official-id-card/index.html; and
- Information Technology Policy IT-07, https://policies.iu.edu/policies/it-07-privacy-it-resources/index.html.
IT-07 specifies the circumstances under which University may access certain Card-associated data, such as financial transactions, door access logs, barcode, magstripe, smart chip, and digital ID values. For example, authorized University personnel may access such Card-associated data where they have a reasonable belief that Cardholder has engaged in illegal activities or violated university policy or to avoid substantial harm to University, including its constituents.
Cardholder understands and agrees that Card-associated data may be accessed by University pursuant to University policy, including, in certain circumstances, without notice to Cardholder.
Cardholder also agrees to the following terms and conditions associated with use of the Card:
Terms and Conditions
Cardholder understands and agrees that University may update this Agreement and these terms and conditions from time-to-time. University shall make the current version of this Agreement and these terms and conditions available to Cardholders at the CrimsonCard offices on each campus and on the CrimsonCard website (“Website”) at https://crimsoncard.iu.edu. Changes to this Agreement and these terms and conditions will apply to all Cardholders and CrimsonAccounts and supersede any conflicting terms and conditions in effect when Cardholder was issued the Card. University will communicate to Cardholder’s University email account any changes to these terms and conditions that the University deems significant.
Use and Ownership
Cardholder understands and agrees that the Card, and all associated data, is the property of University. Cardholder shall not permit anyone else to use the Card issued to Cardholder or the associated CrimsonAccount for any reason.
University has the right to determine Cardholder eligibility to receive a Card and the type of credential issued (i.e., physical card or digital card).
New Cardholders will generally receive access to a digital Card as their official University ID card unless Cardholder does not have an eligible mobile device.
Dual digital Card and physical Card credentials will not be issued to a Cardholder.
Cardholder will use funds loaded onto the CrimsonAccount primarily to pay for goods and services on campus and incidentally to pay for goods or services off campus at University-approved merchant locations listed on the Website. Cardholder cannot use the CrimsonAccount for cash advances or cash withdrawals and cannot receive a refund in cash on returns of purchases made using the Card. CrimsonAccounts are not intended to be used as a banking service, and no interest will be paid on account balances maintained in CrimsonAccounts.
Cardholder may obtain account balance and transaction history through the Website or by request at a CrimsonCard office.
Participating merchants that accept the Card as payment may require additional identification to ensure that the person using the Card is the specific Cardholder and may require Cardholder to sign a receipt as evidence that Cardholder agrees to pay the charged amount for the goods or services.
The Card may NOT be used for purchasing alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, e-cigarettes, lottery tickets, gift cards, money orders or travelers’ checks.
Damaged, Lost, Stolen, Misused, or Expired Cards
Cardholder is responsible for care and protection of the Card. If the magnetic stripe, or any of the technology contained in or on the physical Card, is damaged and becomes unreadable by any Card reader or terminal, Cardholder is required to obtain a replacement of the Card at Cardholder’s expense (See ‘Schedule of Fees’).
If the Card itself is lost or stolen or the magnetic stripe account number or barcode on the Card is stolen, Cardholder agrees to:
- Immediately deactivate the Card through the Website or by calling (317) 274-0400;
- Contact CrimsonCard Services to report any suspicious activity; and
- Except in the case where the Card is lost, Contact Campus Police and file a report.
If Cardholder misuses the Card, University may deactivate the Card or take other disciplinary action against Cardholder as set forth in the Policy.
Cardholder is responsible for any transactions that may occur between the time the Card is lost or stolen and the time the Card is deactivated. When Cardholder obtains a replacement Card, University will transfer any remaining account balances from the deactivated Card to the replacement Card.
A replacement Card fee (See ‘Schedule of Fees’) may be charged for a lost, stolen or damaged physical Card.
Cardholder understands and agrees that Card privileges may be revoked and the CrimsonAccount may be deactivated if Cardholder is no longer a student of University or is no longer employed by University or affiliated with University as required by the Policy.
CrimsonAccount - CrimsonCash
Cardholders have the following options to add funds to a CrimsonAccount:
- Debit/Credit Card: A non-refundable funds load-processing fee (See ‘Schedule of Fees’) is assessed when using this payment options, and will be charged for each funds load transaction. Debit/Credit card payments may be made by Cardholder or family and friends at any CrimsonCard office or through the Website.
- Bursar Charge: This option is limited to students enrolled at University for the current Bursar billing term and whose Bursar account is in good standing. Student Cardholders can authorize a charge to the University Bursar account through the Website. Deposit limits may apply. Charges billed to the Bursar account must be paid in full by the billed due date. Non-payment of these Bursar account charges may result in restriction of access to CrimsonAccount funds and/or reversal and removal of deposited funds.
- Payroll Prepay Deduction: This option is available to University employees other than employees in a “no-pay” status. Eligible employees can add funds to the CrimsonAccount by authorizing a recurring deduction from each paycheck up to a predetermined limit ($200 for employees paid monthly and $100 for employees paid bi-weekly).
University employees can opt-out of the CrimsonAccount Payroll Prepay Deduction option at any time after signing up for these options. Any request to opt-out of the CrimsonAccount Payroll Prepay Deduction option must be made through the Website or sent from Cardholder’s University email account.
Error Resolution
If Cardholder believes there is a discrepancy with respect to a CrimsonAccount transaction involving a merchant, Cardholder must immediately provide notice of the discrepancy to the relevant merchant and try to resolve the discrepancy with that merchant. If Cardholder is unable to resolve the discrepancy with the merchant on Cardholder’s own or the discrepancy does not relate to a transaction with a specific merchant, Cardholder should contact CrimsonCard Services to resolve the discrepancy. University reserves the right to correct the balance on any CrimsonAccount and/or Bursar account if University determines that a clerical or accounting error has occurred.
Refunds
Refunds are issued only to Cardholder. Any request for refund of funds in a CrimsonAccount must be made through the Website by Cardholder or sent from Cardholder’s University email account.
Refunds are only provided when the CrimsonAccount balance is more than $25.00. Cardholder may request that University issue a refund as follows:
- An employee or non-student Cardholder may request a refund be issued via check mailed to Cardholder’s address of record. The $25 Closed Account Fee will be deducted from the refund (See ‘Schedule of Fees’).
- A student Cardholder may request a refund be issued via a credit to Cardholder’s Bursar account. The $25 Closed Account Fee will be deducted from the refund (See ‘Schedule of Fees’).
In lieu of a refund, any Cardholder may request an electronic balance transfer to a guest card. A guest card is a non-photo card issued by University that is accepted at University and merchant locations where Cards are accepted.
If a student Cardholder (even if also an IU employee) has an outstanding CrimsonCard deposit balance on their Bursar account, a refund will only be issued as a credit to that Cardholder’s Bursar account.
Dormant Account
If a Cardholder’s CrimsonAccount sustains no activity for a period of eighteen (18) months or more and has a positive balance, Cardholder’s CrimsonAccount will be determined dormant and assessed a monthly dormant account fee until one of the following occurs:
- Cardholder uses the CrimsonAccount for payment.
- Funds are loaded to the Cardholder’s CrimsonAccount.
- The balance on the CrimsonAccount reaches zero dollars ($0).
- Cardholder requests a refund of the account balance. The $25 Closed Account Fee will be deducted from the refund (See ‘Schedule of Fees’).
- If, after a period of thirty-six (36) months of account inactivity, a positive balance remains in the CrimsonAccount, any such balance will be forfeited to the University.
A notification will be sent to Cardholder’s University email account before dormant fees (See ‘Schedule of Fees’) are assessed on Cardholder’s CrimsonAccount.
Schedule of Fees
- Initial Student or Employee Card: No Charge
- Expired Card Replacement: No Charge
- Name or Employee Department Change: No Charge
- Affiliate Card: $35.00
- Digital Copy of ID Photo: $5.00
- Lost, Stolen, Damaged Replacement of Physical Card Fee: $35.00
- Funds Load-Processing Fee: $2.50 per Deposit
- Refund/Closed Account Fee: $25.00
- Dormant Account Fee: $15.00/month or account balance, whichever is less
- Collection Fees: In the event a CrimsonAccount has an outstanding balance for 30 days or more, the account may be sent to University Collections. Cardholder is responsible for any fees associated with University’s attempt to collect any outstanding balance.
- Credit Card Chargeback Fees: University reserves the right to recover any chargeback fees assessed by the processor.
Disclosure of Information to Third Parties
University has entered into an agreement with CBORD to allow eligible Cardholders to provision their Card to a digital wallet using the services of Apple or Google (“Digital Wallet Provider”) on eligible iOS and Android devices.
Cardholder understands that University is required to provide Cardholder's Personally Identifiable Information (“PII”) to the Digital Wallet Provider to enable Cardholder to create and store a representation of their Card in a digital wallet. Cardholders’ PII will also be used by the Digital Wallet Provider to support the digital Card service.
By using a digital Card, Cardholder grants permission for University to provide such PII to CBORD and the Digital Wallet Provider. If Cardholder does not grant permission for University to provide such PII, Cardholder may not use a digital Card and must request a physical Card.
Cardholders’ PII data may also be used by the Digital Wallet Provider to support the digital card service and make Cardholders aware of related services available to them from the Digital Wallet Provider. Cardholder understands and agrees that University is not responsible for the services provided by the Digital Wallet Providers.
Cardholder understands and agrees that University may disclose to third parties certain information about Cardholder’s account or transactions consistent with University policy. Such circumstances include the following:
- When necessary for completing a transaction.
- To verify the existence and condition of Cardholder’s account for a third party, such as a credit bureau or merchant.
- To comply with government agency or court orders or as otherwise required by law.
- With Cardholder’s written permission.
In most other circumstances, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) prohibits University from disclosing educational records (e.g., Card information) to third parties.
Applicable Law
This Agreement is governed by and shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Indiana, without regard to choice of law rules. Any disputes arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be submitted to the exclusive jurisdiction of a state or federal court in Indiana.
Contacting Us
For additional information or to report problems with a Card or CrimsonAccount, contact CrimsonCard Services at (317) 274-0400 or through the Website. Contact details, locations and office hours are also available on the Website.
Last Review Date: November 20, 2025
Revision: 9