Congratulations on your offer of admission to the Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs! See below for important information as you prepare to join us. In particular, pay close attention to important dates, official transcript requirements, and orientation dates.
Please note we will continue to update this webpage with more instructions and additional details and updates, so we recommend checking this page if you have any questions on your admission offer.
Finally, if you need any additional information, contact us in the Master's Programs Office (MPO) at (812) 855-2840 or oneillmp@iu.edu — we're happy to help!
For Admitted Students
Please review the dates below, as they pertain to requirements of accepting your offer of admission:
Deadline to Accept/Decline Admission Offer: December 15, 2024
Deadline to submit financial documentation to OIS (International students only): December 1, 2024*
Onboarding: Begins online December 2, 2024
Final Official Transcript showing conferred undergraduate degree: Friday,January 10, 2025
O'Neill School New Student Orientation: Friday,January 10, 2025, 8am-5pm
First day of Spring 2025 Term: January 13, 2025
*Please see Office of International Services Requirements for Admission section below.
To accept your offer of admission, a $200 enrollment deposit is required to secure your space in the incoming class by December 15, 2024. The nonrefundable enrollment deposit of $200 is a tuition prepayment and will be credited to your bursar account during your first semester at the O'Neill School. Space in O'Neill's spring class may be limited, so a timely response is strongly encouraged.
A final transcript showing a conferred undergraduate degree must be on file prior to starting the program. Final official transcripts must be sent to our office by January 10, 2025 directly from your undergraduate institution. If relevant, failure to meet this condition of your admission may result in a review of your admission status. Please note that unsatisfactory performance in your final undergraduate semester may also result in a review of your admission status.
Final official transcripts may be sent to oneillad@iu.edu if the institution utilizes a secure electronic service or to the Master's Programs Office at the address below:
O'Neill Master's Programs Office 1315 East Tenth Street, Suite A304 Bloomington, IN 47405
Please note that if you attended any Indiana University campus, you do not need to submit final official transcripts, as the MPO will be able to pull these directly.
If the Admissions Committee has required your enrollment and attendance in a calculus and/or chemistry course either prior to your start in the MSES program or during your first semester, the course(s) you choose must cover topics as outlined in O'Neill's MSES Prerequisite Course Guidelines. To best prepare for your academic program, we recommend that you complete prerequisites before entering the MSES program. An official transcript, with a grade of C or better, must be submitted as proof of successful completion of your course(s) in order to continue with the program. If you complete your course(s) prior to beginning the MSES program, an official transcript must be submitted to the MPO by January 10, 2025.
Onboarding is a required asynchronous set of Canvas modules (completed online) to help onboard you to your O’Neill Residential program and prepare you for course registration. Through onboarding, you will learn about course scheduling, academic policies, credit reductions, graduate student academic advising, and other important information. Onboarding launches December 2, and must be completed prior to orientation on January 10.
Also included in Onboarding:
Math Preparation Program:
As part of onboarding, we encourage students to complete the Math Preparation Program modules before the start of their first semester and before they begin quantitative coursework (i.e. SPEA-V506, SPEA-V517). These online, asynchronous modules will directly connect to the work students will do in those courses, and they can expect faculty to refer to modules throughout the course.
Graduate Career Boot Camp:
The Career Boot Camp is an online, asynchronous set of Canvas modules that will introduce you to the career-related resources O’Neill has to offer. Completion of this course is not required. It will be available throughout your time at O’Neill. Jump-start career sessions with the O'Neill Career Hub staff may be available through the summer as well.
Orientation is your chance to get prepared for your new academic career and get introduced to the O'Neill School faculty, student, and staff community. Additional details regarding orientation will be provided to confirmed candidates leading up to the start of the spring semester.
The O'Neill School's New Student Orientation is held in person and is required for all incoming O'Neill graduate students. Incoming students must arrive to Bloomington prior to the start of new student orientation and should consider housing options that allow for move in prior to orientation.
New Student Orientation will be held in person onFriday, January 10, 2025 from 8am-5pm. Details with specific information about orientation will be forthcoming.
We know that understanding tuition costs is crucial when making your admission decision. Please refer to our website for more information on the cost of tuition, fees, and estimated living expenses!
International candidates must meet all Office of International Services (OIS) requirements for admission as soon as possible. This offer of admission is based on the information available at the time of review. In accordance with Indiana University policy, your dossier will now be reviewed by OIS to determine your eligibility for a nonimmigrant student or exchange visitor visa. If you have not already done so, you must submit satisfactory evidence that you now have or will have sufficient funds to cover the costs of studying at Indiana University (IU). This step is required before OIS can review your dossier and issue the appropriate immigration documents (Form I-20 or DS-2019). Continued enrollment at IU requires satisfactory proof of post-secondary school completion. You are expected to maintain your current level of academic performance with integrity. Contact OIS at newtoiu@iu.edu with any questions regarding these requirements.
The very first step in the I-20 process is submitting financial documentation to the Office of International Services. Not sure where to start? Please see the resources below.
**Explains the dollar amount students need to demonstrate in financial documentation
As the financial documentation and I-20 can be lengthy process, we recommend students submit financial documentation to OIS as soon as possible. Waiting to submit documentation may result in delays on visa appointments. Financial documentation must be submitted to OIS prior to accepting an admission offer. Documentation must be submitted by December 1, 2024, although it should be submitted far in advance of this deadline if possible.
We understand students wait to submit financial documentation until they know if they are receiving a fellowship or funding offer. Please note that fellowship decisions are rendered separately from admission. Fellowship decisions will be rendered in advance of the financial documentation deadline.
Please review the checklist below for next steps!
Submit financial documentation by December 1, 2024.
Fellowship decisions are made on a rolling basis and will be made in advance of December 1. Please include any fellowship offers with your financial documentation.
While the final deadline for documentation is December 1, we recommend students to submit documentation as soon as possible, as the visa and I-20 process may take months to complete.
Accept your admission offer by December 15, 2024.
If financial documentation is not submitted by December 1, 2024, the admission offer may not be accepted.
In preparation for your visa interview, you will first need to be admitted and submit financial documentation to IU. Once your documentation is approved, you will be issued an I-20, which is required to set up your visa interview. Once you schedule your visa interview, you’ll need to get your documentation ready and prepare for your interview. Your visa interview may be scheduled months out, depending on the country where you have your interview, so you’ll want to submit applications for admission and financial documentation early.
A final transcript showing a conferred undergraduate degree must be on file prior to starting your program at O'Neill. If you completed your undergraduate degree after applying to the O'Neill School, please submit your academic records and degree certificate in both English and the original language to OIS by January 5, 2024. If relevant, failure to meet this condition of your admission may result in a review of your admission status. Please note that unsatisfactory performance in your final undergraduate semester may also result in a review of your admission status. Final official transcripts may be sent to OIS at the address below:
Office of International Services Indiana University Ferguson International Center Room 100 330 N Eagleson Avenue Bloomington, IN 47405-7513
Make travel arrangements and plan to arrive in Bloomington no later than the Program Start Date listed on your I-20 (not the Start of Classes Date).
IU OIS runs an orientation specific to international students. You will be contacted by OIS with instructions regarding international student orientation requirements. Contact newtoiu@iu.edu if you have additional questions.
If you have questions on your financial documentation, I-20, or visa, please contact the Office of International Services at newtoiu@iu.edu.
Additional Resources
Broadway shows. Local coffee shops. Nature hikes. Eclectic dining. Street food. Gallery strolls. Whatever you’re into, you’ll find plenty to keep you busy here.
Indiana University and Bloomington are, in many respects, inseparable. Events start on campus and spill into the city. Festivals fill the city and get magnified on campus. And the natural wonders that surround both are enjoyed by all.
We've compiled a few helpful resources about living in Bloomington below to help you invision what your life might be like as a graduate student.
Bloomington Weather
If you're new to Indiana or the midwest, keep in mind that the weather here can be extraordinarily unpredictable, so you'll need to prepare for all seasons, which could happen all in one day here in Bloomington.
When you arrive to campus in August, it will be hot, humid, and muggy, which usually lasts through September.
In October, autumn hits and the leaves begin to change color. The temperature begins to drop to a comfortable level with lower humidity. Many students say that this is their favorite season in Bloomington. Not only is the town vibrant with autumn colors, but the weather is delightful!
Winters in Bloomington have been relatively mild in the last several years, but temperatures can dip below zero, so make sure you come prepared for freezing temperatures and an Indiana blizzard or two. Winter typically lasts through March, but the coldest times tend to be in January. In the spring, expect lots of rain. Though there are many beautiful days on campus, you never know when a rain cloud may show up - it can be rather unpredictable.
Grocery and Shopping Options
The main supermarket in Bloomington is Kroger, which offers five locations throughout town. However, some students opt for Bloomingfoods, a Bloomington co-op that is committed to sustainable agriculture, local products, and delicious regional foods. If you're budget concious, which most graduate students are, Bloomington is also home to an ALDI. It's about a 15 minute drive from the O'Neill School, but the prices are worth it.
Other Bloomington grocers include Lucky's Market, B-Town International Market, Sahara Mart, Tenth Street Market & Deli, Sam's Club, and Walmart. Oh, and don't forget about the Bloomington Community Farmer's Market, which should definitely be on your Bloomington Bucket List.
The Paul H. O'Neill School's Graduate Center, where you'll take most of your classes and study, has a kitchenette for graduate students to store their lunches, heat up their meals, and make coffee or tea.
If you're looking for shopping in Bloomington, your best option is College Mall, which has a Macy's, Dick's Sporting Goods, Old Navy, Express, Finish Line, H&M, Men's Wearhouse, and much more. Other local shopping hot spots include the town square, where different local vendors have quaint hometown shops, or the west side of town, which offers a Kohls, Bed Bath and Beyond, and Walmart.
Things to do in Bloomington
Where to Eat
You don't need to worry about going hungry in Bloomington - it's definitely a foodie's paradise. We have somewhere in the neighborhood of more than 400 eateries scattered across town. There are over 100 restaurants in the downtown Bloomington area alone, and many of them are independently owned and value a locally sourced culinary experience.
Local favorites include all of the ethnic restaurants on Fourth Street, alfresco dining on the town square, and pub food at Nick's English Hut or the Upland Brewery. The state’s largest winery and the first brewery in the region are located here, prompting a local industry that is high-quality.
Cap it off with a wine tasting at Oliver Winery or an artisanal cocktail from Cardinal Spirits, both very popular amongst our graduate students.
There is plenty to do in Bloomington, on campus and off. One day you might feel like renting a pontoon boat on Monroe Lake, the next day you might find yourself enjoying an opera or a stand-up comedy show.
There are dozens of theaters and concert venues at IU and across Bloomington such as the IU Auditorium, the IU Cinema, and the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. There are more than 1,000 free musical performances on the IU campus each year.
Bloomington is famous for its Lotus World Music and Arts Festival—a yearly celebration of world music and arts. But that’s one of many festivals that take place all year long.
The year kicks off with the PRIDE film festival, which showcases the LGBTQA community and filmmakers.
From April to November, the Bloomington Farmers’ Market returns, bringing fresh produce and local music to downtown Bloomington in a festival-like atmosphere.
All students are required to utilize a Two-Step Login (DUO). The Two-Step Login (DUO) provides additional security to help protect sensitive information that may be housed within IU’s computing systems. Most students will choose to set up DUO on their smartphone, though there are other options available. More information about getting started with DUO can be found here. We recommend that you set up DUO as soon as you have your IU username and passphrase.
Where should I live?
While on-campus housing through Residential Programs and Services is available to graduate students, most of our master’s candidates live off campus. For the widest selection, make housing arrangements in April or May before the start of the fall semester. Options available in August will be limited.
If you are looking for a roommate to offset your cost of living, we’ll invite you to join an online discussion board this summer where all incoming O'Neill School graduate students can share information about housing accommodations and roommate requests after they’ve accepted their offer of admission.
You can find area providers - from telephone to water and more - along with other helpful hints on relocating to Bloomington in this guide prepared by Visit Bloomington. Make sure to talk with your landlord about their preference for utility providers in your area.
If you are flying to campus, the nearest airport is the Indianapolis International Airport. The following shuttle company provide transportation to and from the Indianapolis International Airport:
At the O'Neill School, we prioritize sustainable transportation choices like the bus, walking, and biking. Bloomington is a very biker friendly community, which is underscored by the Little 500 Bike Race - a campus event that we highly recommend putting on your IU bucket list. As an IU student, you can ride the IU Campus Bus or Bloomington Transit - our local bus system - for free with your CrimsonCard (student ID card). You'll get your CrimsonCard when you arrive to campus for new student orientation in August.
Like most other college campuses, parking is extremely limited, but if you choose to bring a car to campus, you can purchase a parking permit from the IU Office of Parking Operations. If you choose to live off campus, you may need to get a neighborhood parking permit for street parking. Need a car or rideshare? Try Zipcar or Zimride. Out late? Take advantage of IU's free safe ride services that run after dark.
The IU Health Fee helps pay for the Health Center which provides reduced rates for routine medical clinic visits, a health and wellness program, and other services including two free counseling and psychological visits per semester. This fee is not for health insurance.
In partnership with IU Health Center’s Counseling and Psychological Services, the O'Neill School hosts a counselor-in-residence who is at O'Neill 20 hours per week offering counseling services, outreach, and programming.
Health insurance plans through Indiana University Human Resources are offered to international students, Student Academic Appointees (SAA), or IU School of Medicine and School of Dentistry students. If you are in need of health insurance as a graduate student, we recommend resources such as HealthCare.gov and the City of Bloomington's healthcare resources.
All international students and scholars at Indiana University are required to have health insurance for themselves and their families. IU automatically enrolls all international students in an insurance plan administered by Aetna Student Health that provides coverage that meets IU’s minimum requirements. If you already have a health insurance plan that meets the minimum requirements, you may file a waiver so you do not need to purchase insurance through IU.
Full-time students can take advantage of IU’s Recreational Sports resources, including the Student Recreational Sports Center which offers sports and fitness activities including group exercise, yoga and pilates, strength and cardio equipment, basketball, volleyball, personal training, and much more. If team sports are more your speed, intramural sports are offered in everything from basketball to tennis to battleship. Intramural sports are a great way to make new friends, develop your mind and body, and learn new skills with opportunities in over 20 sports!
There are many resources for securing funding - opportunities exist at the O'Neill School, IU, and at national levels. At O'Neill, we offer fellowships, assistantships, and volunteer benefits to assist graduate students in financing their education. Available funding options vary by program, so we encourage you to see what options we provide for the degree program you are seeking.
O'Neill School Fellowships If you applied by our November 15 fellowship deadline, you will automatically be considered for all O'Neill School fellowship awards. Financial need, academic and professional achievements, extracurricular and volunteer activities, recommendation letters, and responses to application questions are among the factors considered when selecting merit-based aid recipients. Decisions are made based on how your overall credentials compared to those of other applicants in that current year.
O'Neill School fellowship decisions are made separately from admission decisions. Fellowship offers will be extended once an applicant receives an offer of admission from the O'Neill School, after a separate review process.
We value the experiences that military and veteran students, Peace Corps alumni, AmeriCorps alumni, and Teach for America alumni bring to our classrooms and officially recognize your experiences with special financial benefits. For returned volunteers, you will receive a 3-credit hour reduction per year of service you completed (maximum reduction of 6 credits). A 3-credit hour reduction saves more than $1,500 for a resident and more than $3,800 for a non-resident.
For active duty and veteran students, the O'Neill School will guarantee a reduction to in-state tuition rates provided you are not eligible for or not selected to receive an award through the Yellow Ribbon Program. The O'Neill School will also award a minimum 6-credit reduction for Prior Professional Experience (PPE) for those with at least two years of active duty or full-time guard/reserve service OR four years part-time guard/reserve service. Up to a 12-credit reduction is possible if applicant can demonstrate significant managerial and leadership experience.
Please know that external dual degree students are not eligible to receive credit hour waivers as students must take at least 36 credit hours of O'Neill coursework to earn a professional degree.
Need-based aid may be used to supplement other financial assistance you receive. The criteria for receiving need-based aid for graduate students differs from the criteria used for undergraduate students. If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (and a current or prospective grad student), you should apply annually for need-based aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Indiana University’s Priority Deadline: April 15
Applications after this date will also be considered.
Many students rely on loans and part-time employment to fund their graduate education. Students should complete the FAFSA as soon as they know they are considering going to graduate school. Admission is not required to complete this form, but no financial aid offer can be finalized until the student is admitted. The FAFSA can be completed online.
The Student Central Office at IU administers all need-baded financial aid, provides your school billing schedule and payment options, helps you estimate your cost of attendance, and assists with the course registration process. Student Central, not the Master's Programs Office, also controls your residency status, which will be used to determine what tuition rates you'll be responsible for. Student Central is your one-stop shop for taking care of the business of being a student.
