As long as you have all required financial aid steps completed, your financial aid awards will be applied to your student account 10 days before classes begin. Your financial aid will automatically be applied to your tuition, fees, campus housing, and meal plan charges. If you want to use your financial aid to cover other costs, like a parking permit, make sure to complete the Title IV authorization form.

Make sure that you’re meeting the eligibility requirements for your financial aid awards. Some awards require you to be enrolled as a full-time student. Others may require you to complete an acceptance form to receive the money. Gift aid, like scholarships or grants, are automatically accepted for you. For awards like Federal Student Loans and Federal Work-Study, we will offer you the maximum amount that you are eligible for. To receive the financial aid, you just need to tell us how much you’d like to use. Log into your Student Center and click the “Accept/Decline Aid” link to let us know if you’d like to receive some, none, or all of your loans and work-study.

You’ll start the process by filling out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you’re transferring to IU Indianapolis or also taking classes at Ivy Tech, you’ll need to take a few extra steps.

Be sure to submit a FAFSA each year to be considered for federal and state aid. We use your FAFSA to determine your eligibility, calculate your need, award your financial aid, and prepare your financial aid notification (FAN).

The FAFSA becomes available October 1 of each year, and you should submit by the priority deadline of April 15. By meeting this deadline, you’ll have the most opportunities to receive funding.

Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans are loans offered by the federal government to help students cover the cost of higher education. As the student, you are the borrower and are responsible for repaying the loan, but repayment is not required if you are enrolled at least half time (6 credit hours for undergraduates). Visit the IU Indianapolis Federal Student Loan page to learn more.

The Pell Grant comes from the federal government and does not have to be repaid. The amount you receive is based on your Expected Family Contribution from your FAFSA and how many credits you take. Visit our Pell Grant page to learn more.

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) comes from the federal government and does not have to be repaid. The grant is given to students with exceptional financial need. The SEOG is reflected as the “Federal Supplement Grant” on your FAN. Visit the IU Indianapolis SEOG page to learn more.

The 21st Century Scholars award is an Indiana state grant program that assists in-state students with the cost of a two-year or four-year degree. To qualify for the award, students must have initially met income requirements and signed up in 7th or 8th grade. As a college student, eligibility is determined based on your FAFSA. Visit the 21st Century Scholars page to learn more.