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.

To find additional tuition information, visit the home page for your program of interest. Additional details about fees can be found at https://one.iu.edu/task/iu/master-fee-list.

FAQ Related to the Distance Education Fee

• Why was I assessed the DE fee?

  The universitywide $30 per credit hour DE fee supports the technologies, instructional design, and student services required to deliver coursework in an online environment. You can see a bit more information about these services by going to https://online.iu.edu/resources/costs-and-financial-aid, or you can explore them by going to https://teachingonline.iu.edu/programs/index.html. Because the online support services were extended to all online courses (those originally scheduled as online, and those that transitioned), the DE fee was assessed to all course offerings. Any additional per credit hour fee assessed by the campus goes to support campus-based initiatives. The campus at which you enroll would need to provide additional information regarding the allocations of this fee.

• Why must I pay the DE fee when my class was originally planned to be offered face-to-face?

  The DE fee is spent to support the technologies, instructional design, campus based initiatives and student services required to deliver coursework in an online environment. You can see a bit more information about these services by going to https://online.iu.edu/resources/costs-and-financial-aid, or you can explore them by going to https://teachingonline.iu.edu/programs/index.html. In light of the current situation, the campuses decided to extend these services to all online courses (those originally scheduled as online, and those that transitioned), so the DE fee was assessed to all course offerings.

• I want a refund for the DE fee.
  

  Indiana University is transitioning all classes to online modality to best protect and accommodate students and faculty during the current COVID-19 pandemic. No refunds will be offered, and all reasonable efforts will be made to ensure students will be able to complete their courses. As professors are adjusting instruction modality and syllabi, please watch closely for updates. This includes courses that were originally scheduled to be offered online, as well as those that were transitioned to an online format.

• Since I’m not coming to campus, online courses should be cheaper, right?
  

  While it is commonly assumed that online education incurs less expense than face-to-face instruction, this is not the case. Although physical classroom space may not be used, we still have other expenses—for example, expenses for new technologies, accessibility technologies, studio space, regulatory costs, instructional design, expanded student services, and remote proctoring which are increased due to online delivery. These services, and others, are supported by the DE fee. The regional campuses decided to extend these services to all their online courses this summer to ensure that all courses and students would be fully supported. The fee was likewise extended to include all online courses.

• I do not have the money to cover the DE fee.
  

  IU is committed to supporting students during this trying time. Please connect with your financial aid office and explore options for additional emergency aid for funds that may be available. If you have questions about other fees, please contact your campus financial aid/bursar department for information.

• I was not notified in an appropriate timeframe that my course would be online, or that I would receive a DE fee.
  

  The regional campuses of IU worked very hard in light of this situation to redesign their schedule of classes as quickly as possible so that students would know that courses would be delivered online and that they would, therefore, be assessed the DE fee. At this time, all classes are being offered online for the health and safety of all faculty and staff.

• The class I planned to enroll in has been canceled, what do I do?
  

  Taking a class through a different IU campus may allow you to still complete the courses you intended to take this upcoming semester. Please search the full listing of online courses across all campuses here. If you find a course of interest, you may complete the temporary intercampus transfer request form on the “Register for a Class” tab. This form takes about 60 seconds to complete, and then is automatically sent to the campus in which you are interested in taking a course from. That campus will then contact you directly regarding registration in your chosen course.

• I’m only taking one or two online courses, so why should I have to pay the DE fee?
  

  Many of the services provided to online coursework are still available to students who are only taking one or two courses.  Services like instructional design, access to technology and library services, math and writing services, and course proctoring are still used in coursework, regardless of the number of courses a student is enrolled in.

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 at www.fafsa.gov. 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 September 1. 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 as well as award amounts at http://hr.iu.edu/benefits/tuition.html.

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.

We're also here for you as you start reviewing your funding options. Do you know what money you have available to cover your costs? How much money will you need? The budget balancer will help you evaluate your personal educational budget and make a financial success plan.