Costs and financial aid

Tuition and fees

Tuition and fees are assessed based on the number of credits you take each term, so your costs can vary from semester to semester. Costs can also vary based on your academic program, your residency status, and the specific courses that you take.

Online course refund policy

If you are an online student and you currently reside in Indiana, contact the bursar's office at the campus offering the course for more information about online course refund policies. If you are an online student and you currently reside in a state other than Indiana, you may be subject to state-specific refund policies. Contact iuosfs@iu.edu for more information.

Financial aid

Financing your education is a crucial part of your success as a student. There are a number of different financial aid resources that you can consider to help fund your studies with IU Online. Students enrolled in our undergraduate and graduate degree programs can explore financial aid opportunities to help cover their costs, including scholarships, grants, and student loans. Many students also take advantage of military benefits or employer tuition assistance. Financial aid packages are often a combination of many types of aid, and we encourage you to consider all resources to help make your education as affordable as possible.

You can apply for most forms of federal, state, and institutional aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year. The FAFSA can be completed online. You can file your FAFSA before you apply or are admitted to an IU Online program. Once you're officially admitted into your academic program, our financial aid experts will begin the process of reviewing your financial aid information and determining your eligibility.

Looking for scholarship opportunities? The IU General Scholarship Application opens each fall. Admitted students are encouraged to apply. Begin at one.iu.edu. After you complete the general application, you’ll receive updates about any subsequent scholarship offers or recommendations for additional scholarships you may be eligible to receive.

Faculty and staff at IU can use the IU Employee Tuition Benefit to help cover the costs of their online courses or degree program. Your benefit amount varies based on your program and campus of enrollment. You can find full details about the benefit and award amounts.

To learn more about financial aid opportunities for IU Online degree programs, visit the financial aid office or scholarship office of your campus of enrollment. If you're considering a certificate program, contact iuosfs@iu.edu to learn more about financial aid options.

NOTE: Your financial aid eligibility is based on enrollment at your home campus, and charges for classes are assessed on a campus-by-campus basis. So, taking courses at another IU campus could impact your eligibility for financial aid, including Federal Pell Grants, Federal Student Loans, and state of Indiana grants. You may also need to pay bills at each campus where you are taking classes. Contact the financial aid office at your home campus to discuss your options for taking courses at another campus.

Money management

There's more to being a student than just tuition and fees. IU Online has tools to help you evaluate and plan for your other expenses, develop your financial management skills, and make informed decisions about student borrowing.

Whether you're stressed with your finances right now or just want to get a head start on planning your financial future, IU MoneySmarts can teach you to be smart about finances. From podcasts to calculators to individual online meetings with a student or staff member, MoneySmarts has all the resources you need to be a finance master.