Unless you specify otherwise, all scholarships are posted as general awards. They’re payable toward all charges on a student’s account, and any remainder is eligible for refund to the student after all charges have been paid.
Due to the volume of scholarships we receive, we can’t guarantee full compliance with any donor limitations placed on scholarship funds. Additionally, funds cannot be restricted to paying specific fees.
This page contains what you need to know about how—and when—to make scholarship payments for a student.
How to make a scholarship payment
You may pay a student’s scholarship by check or electronic funds transfer. (Scholarship checks for a student attending another IU campus should be mailed to the campus where the student is enrolled.)
Be sure to send the following information along with your check or in an email to finaid@iu.edu when funds are transmitted:
- The student’s name
- The student’s 10-digit university ID
- The donor’s name, address, and phone number
- Any instructions regarding posting the scholarship—particularly if it is for tuition and mandatory fees only
- The term to which scholarship funds should be applied
- A completed external donor form
Please contact the Office of Student Scholarships at finaid@iu.edu with questions or to request this form in an accessible format.
When to pay
Please note that we will not bill you for scholarship payments. If you require an invoice or bill, the student must provide you with a copy of their bursar account statement.
We recommend that you submit your payment early enough for scholarships to credit to a student’s account before their charges are due. Students may accrue late fees if we don’t receive your scholarship payment prior to the student’s bursar bill date.
Payment dates| Semester | Recommended payment date | Final payment deadline to apply to this semester |
|---|
| Fall | August 1 | December 1 |
| Spring | December 1 | April 1 |
| Summer | April 1 | August 1 |
Receiving a refund
If a student you’re paying a scholarship for withdraws from IU Columbus after receiving an award, it’s your responsibility to collect from them any scholarship funds that were disbursed. However, if the student withdraws before receiving the award, we’ll refund undisbursed funds directly to you.
Undisbursed scholarships are generally reviewed and refunded to donors during the second week of each semester. You (or the student) may email iuindy.finaid@iu.edu to request that funds be returned to you prior to this period. Be sure to include the reason why you’re requesting a refund.
The initial refund process may take up to ten business days to complete. Refund checks will be issued by IU Financial Management Services and can take up to six weeks to reach you.
How to get more information about a scholarship recipient
Although we will confirm a student’s enrollment at your request in order to facilitate a scholarship payment, we are unable to monitor a student’s continued enrollment or academic progress. You should contact the student directly to get the following information:
- Estimated cost of attendance
- Verification of actual cost of attendance
- Financial need
- Other awards
- Enrollment verification
- Evaluation of academic performance
For other student information, including official university documentation of financial aid information, contact the Office of Student Scholarships prior to the semester’s recommended payment date. The student must have an authorization to release confidential information on file with us before we can fulfill your request.
