The sticker price for college is usually a lie.
If you look at the "total cost of attendance" for Indiana University Bloomington, you might see $30,920 for residents or a whopping $61,072 for out-of-state students and want to close your laptop immediately. Don’t. Seriously, don’t.
Hardly anyone pays the full amount. IU Bloomington financial aid is the only reason half the people on campus can even afford to be there. But the system is kind of a maze. If you miss a single deadline or check the wrong box on a form, you’re basically leaving thousands of dollars on the table for someone else to grab.
The $80,000 Threshold You Need to Know
Starting in Fall 2026, IU is changing the game for Indiana residents. They’re launching something called the Crimson Commitment Grant.
Basically, if your family’s adjusted gross income (AGI) is $80,000 or less, IU is promising to cover the gap. This grant picks up the bill for whatever is left of your tuition and mandatory fees after your other scholarships and grants are applied. It’s a "last-dollar" program.
Then there’s the Hoosier Crossroads Grant. This one is for families making $60,000 or less. It provides up to $5,500 for things that aren't tuition—think housing, those overpriced textbooks, and meal plans.
If you’re a resident, these two programs are your lifeline. But here’s the catch: you have to file your FAFSA by April 15. If you’re late, you’re likely out of luck.
Merit Scholarships: The November 1 Cliff
For out-of-state students, the "need-based" side of things is a bit stingier. Honestly, unless you’re getting a Pell Grant, IU doesn’t offer much institutional need-based aid to non-residents.
Your best bet is merit.
The Office of Enrollment Management (OEM) hands out the National Excellence Scholarship and the Global Excellence Scholarship. These are based on your GPA and the rigor of your high school classes. The school says they don’t even look at SAT or ACT scores for these anymore, which is a huge relief for bad test-takers.
But you have to apply to the university by November 1.
If you apply on November 2, you’ve essentially disqualified yourself from the biggest pot of money available to freshmen. It’s a brutal cutoff.
Why the "General Scholarship Application" Matters
Most people think they’re done once they submit their Common App. They aren't.
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Once you’re admitted, you need to log into One.IU and find the IU General Scholarship Application. This is where the departmental money lives.
- Kelley School of Business: They have their own stack of money for direct admits.
- Luddy School of Informatics: Often has specific pots for tech-minded students.
- College of Arts and Sciences: Hundreds of small donor-funded awards.
One application puts you in the running for all of them. It’s probably the highest hourly "wage" you’ll ever earn—spending 30 minutes on an essay could net you $2,000.
Work-Study vs. Just a Job
When you see "Federal Work-Study" on your financial aid package, it’s not a check that goes toward your tuition. It’s permission to earn money.
You still have to find a job.
The benefit of a work-study position at IU is that the government pays part of your wages, so campus departments (like the Herman B Wells Library or the SRSC gym) are much more likely to hire you.
If you don't qualify for work-study, don't sweat it. Bloomington is a college town; there are plenty of non-work-study jobs at the Indiana Memorial Union or the local coffee shops on Kirkwood.
Navigating the FAFSA Mess
The 2026-2027 FAFSA is the big one you need to worry about right now.
IU’s school code is 001817.
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You’ll need your 2024 tax info. Everyone "contributing" to your FAFSA (you, your parents, maybe a stepparent) needs their own FSA ID. If your parents are divorced, use the parent who provides the most financial support.
One thing that trips people up: you MUST give consent for the IRS to share your tax data. If you don't, you get zero aid. No loans, no grants, nothing.
What to Do Next
- Mark November 1 on your calendar. This is the drop-dead date for merit scholarship consideration.
- File the FAFSA by April 15. Even if you think you won’t qualify for anything, just do it. It’s the gatekeeper for almost all IU Bloomington financial aid.
- Log into One.IU. Search for the "IU Scholarships" task and finish the general application before February 1.
- Check your "Financial Aid Summary." Once you’re admitted, this is where the real numbers show up. Compare it to the sticker price and see what your actual "net price" looks like.
- Appeal if things change. If a parent loses a job or there’s a medical emergency, the financial aid office can sometimes adjust your package. It's called a Professional Judgment Review.