Undergraduate Application FAQ

Yes! IU Online is Indiana University—just delivered online. It’s fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and your courses are created and taught by the same expert faculty who teach on campus. Our online students experience an education just as rigorous and invigorating as on-campus students. When you graduate, you’ll receive a globally recognized Indiana University degree.

When you apply to IU Online, you’ll be connected to a home campus—this is your IU campus of enrollment. Your home campus handles things like tuition payments, financial aid, course registration, and awarding your diploma.

Even though you have a home campus, you can take online courses offered by any IU campus. Just check with your academic advisor to make sure the courses fit your degree requirements.

Also, if you're using financial aid, be sure to talk to your home campus financial aid office before registering for courses from another campus—this can sometimes affect your aid.

Nope! Your diploma and transcripts will look just like those of on-campus students. They won’t mention “online” anywhere.

When you complete all your degree requirements, you’ll receive a diploma that says “Indiana University” in large lettering, just like any other Indiana University graduate. Small lettering at the lower right-hand corner states that the diploma was awarded in “X city.” The city provided is the city in which your home campus is located, e.g., Richmond, Kokomo, Gary, South Bend, New Albany, Indianapolis, Columbus, Fort Wayne or Bloomington.

Most IU Online programs are 100% online, so you won’t need to come to campus—unless you want to visit, of course!

100% online courses can be delivered in a few different ways:

• 100% online no campus visits or scheduled class times. You’ll complete coursework online and follow due dates set by your instructor, but you can work on your own schedule.
• Hybrid, distance you’ll do some work online and also attend live video sessions at set times (often weekly) —no campus visits required.
• Distance, live video these classes meet regularly via live video at scheduled times. You will need to log in to the class at specific times on specific days throughout the entire semester. Some may require you to attend from a designated campus classroom. Be sure to check the course details before registering.

To see if your program has in-person components, go to the IU Online website. Find your program page and check under “course delivery” at the top of the page.

Courses with in-person requirements

Some of our courses (primarily graduate courses in business) have in-person requirements but are still primarily online.

Classes with in-person requirements are completed almost entirely online without requiring you to log in on specific days or at specific times. There will be due dates to follow. You will be required to come to campus for at least one class meeting, such as an orientation or exam(s).

Most of our classes are asynchronous, so you can access your coursework anytime—day or night, 24/7. If a course does require scheduled meetings or attendance, you’ll be informed before you enroll.

Keep in mind: while you have flexibility, courses still have deadlines for assignments and exams. They’re not self-paced.

Want a sneak peek? Try IU Online Course Test Drive to explore what an online class feels like.

Good news—no essay is required to apply through IU Online.

If you're a domestic student, the application is free.

If you're an international student, there is a $65 USD application fee when you submit your application.

Absolutely! Transferring credits can save you time and money.

• Undergraduate students can transfer up to 64 credits from regionally accredited community colleges and up to 90 credits from regionally accredited four-year universities.
• Once you’re admitted, we’ll review your transcripts and help build a course plan so you only take the classes you need.
• Want to get a head start? Use our Credit Explorer to see which credits may transfer to your home campus.

Each IU Online program has its own admission requirements. To find out what’s needed for your program, visit the IU Online website, go to your program’s page, and scroll down to the Admissions section.

You’ll find everything you need to know—from required documents to deadlines—all in one place.

If you're a first-year applicant (you haven’t attended college after high school), you can apply by self-reporting your GPA on the IU Online application. Just double-check your transcript to make sure your GPA is accurate. If you choose to pursue an online program through Indiana University we’ll verify your GPA with your final transcript—and we may ask for it during the review process.

If you’re transferring or have attended college before, you’ll likely need to submit official transcripts as part of your application.

Once you apply, you’ll get an email (at the email address you listed on your application form) inviting you to set up your Indiana University applicant portal, where you can track your application and see what materials are needed.

To learn more about getting started, visit the Get Started page on the IU Online website.

Yes—and we’re excited to welcome you back to IU!

To get started, just complete the IU Online application and be sure to include details about your previous time at Indiana University. If you’ve taken classes at another college or university since then, you’ll also need to send us an official transcript from that school.

We’re glad you’re considering IU Online! The IU Online Admissions Team is here to help you explore your options and guide you through the process.

Reach out to us at iuoapply@iu.edu or call 844-445-0117—we’ll help you take the next step.

If you're an international applicant interested in an undergraduate program, your first step is to complete the IU Online application.

Have questions before you get started? We’re here to help! Contact the undergraduate admissions team at iuoapply@iu.edu or call +1-844-445-0117.

You can apply to one program per start term using the IU Online application. If you’re thinking about double-majoring or want to change your major, just email us at iuoapply@iu.edu and we’ll guide you through the next steps.

The IU Online Admissions Team is here to help! Reach out to us at iuoapply@iu.edu or 844-445-0117. You can also explore the complete list of IU Online programs.

That’s totally fine! If you’re interested in taking a single course, just search for the class you want using our course search tool.

When you’re ready to apply, choose “I want to take classes as a visiting/non-degree student from another IU campus, another institution, or other educational interest.” on the IU Online application and enter the campus and course information. It’s quick and easy—and we’ll guide you through the next steps once you’re admitted.

We work hard to review applications as quickly as possible!

After you submit your application, you’ll get an email inviting you to set up your Indiana University applicant portal. From there, you can track your application status in real time and see any materials still needed.

Tip: If you use Gmail, check your Promotions folder—sometimes our emails land there.

Yes, you can! IU Online welcomes visiting students who want to take individual courses.

Before you apply, be sure to check with your academic advisor at your current university to confirm that the IU course will transfer and count toward your degree. Once you get the go-ahead, just fill out our quick application. After you're admitted, we’ll send you instructions on how to register.

Tuition and fees vary depending on your program, home campus, and where you live. To get a clear estimate:

1. Visit the Indiana University Cost Estimator.
2. Choose whether you're an undergraduate or graduate student.
3. Select your home campus and state of residence.
4. Enter how many credit hours you plan to take.
5. Pick your program of interest. Be sure to scroll down to the IU Online section for accurate costs
6. Click “Get Started.”

You’ll be redirected to a new page, your estimated tuition and fees for the semester will appear on the left side of the screen. Keep in mind—some additional fees may apply.

Yes—all IU Online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs are eligible for financial aid. Some certificate programs may qualify too, so be sure to check your program page for details.

Although you must be admitted to an academic program before we can officially determine your eligibility for financial aid, you can file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before you apply or are admitted to an IU Online program. Completing the FAFSA doesn’t commit you to IU or to accepting any specific type of aid.

Apply for most forms of federal, state, and institutional aid by submitting the FAFSA online, even before you apply. Once you’ve been admitted to IU, you can also complete the IU General Scholarship application.

Yes! IU offers flexible payment options to help make covering your tuition more manageable. We also provide tools and resources to help you balance your education costs with other financial responsibilities.

If you’re eligible for employer tuition assistance or other outside benefits, we’ll work with you to make the most of them.

To succeed in your online courses, you’ll need a reliable computer and internet connection. For help choosing the right tech, IU offers personalized recommendations, student discounts, and answers to common questions in our Knowledge Base.

If you ever need help with software, hardware, or anything tech-related, IU’s IT support team is here for you. You can find contact info for the UITS office at your home campus by visiting uits.iu.edu.

We follow a traditional academic schedule, with fall, spring, and summer terms. Your start date will depend on your campus of enrollment. Check the calendar for your home campus.

Some of our online programs offer multiple enrollment dates, with classes starting in January, March, May, June, August, and October.

It’s easy to search for classes and register through IU Online. Here’s how:

1. Visit https://onlineed-iuonline-tools.webapps.iu.edu/classes/index.php
2. Choose your semester from the dropdown menu. If you leave it blank, you’ll see results for all upcoming semesters.
3. Select a campus if you know which one offers the course. Otherwise, leave it blank to search across all campuses.
4. Pick your delivery method (like fully online or live video), or leave it blank to see all options.
5. Enter a course name, number, or keyword to find what you’re looking for.

Once you see your results, click on the course number (like BUS-A 201) to get registration instructions.

Once you're registered for a class, you’ll access your coursework through Canvas, IU’s learning management system. It’s where you’ll find your assignments, discussions, quizzes, announcements, and syllabus—all in one place.

Log in to Canvas using your IU username and passphrase from any device: computer, tablet, or phone. You can also download the Canvas mobile app for easy access on the go.

Need help getting started? The Canvas Student Guides are a great resource.

Congratulations on your admission to IU Online! 🎉 We’ll be in touch by email with important next steps to help you get enrolled.

In the meantime, visit learningonline.iu.edu to explore what’s ahead.
Questions? The GO Team is here for you—email iuogo@iu.edu or call 855-812-0608.

We’re here to help—whenever you need it!

• Join an info session: Each month, we host sessions where you can chat with folks from admissions, financial aid, and advising.
• Reach out anytime: Email us at iuonline@iu.edu, call 844-948-4863, or use our live chat, We’re available 24/7.
• Already admitted? Visit learningonline.iu.edu for next steps and resources.