Indiana University Bloomington Freshman Dorms 2026

What to bring to Indiana University Bloomingtondorms — and what’s already there

Every IU Bloomingtonfreshman hall includes the same base furnishings. Skip anything already in your room, pack what’s missing, and leave the banned items at home.

⚠ Living off-campus in Bloomington in violation of the first-year residency policy may result in immediate administrative withdrawal from the university and/or a bill for all room and board fees for the semester(s) involved; the $200 housing application fee is non-refundable and exemption decisions are final and cannot be appealed.

⚠ Residents may not reconfigure or disassemble university-provided beds or furniture themselves — only IU-hired third-party vendors may do it — and bed risers of any kind are prohibited, so do not buy risers or plan under-bed storage before confirming your room's configuration.

⚠ A 7-day meal plan is required for first-time residents on top of the room rate: $4,404 (Classic), $4,984 (Expanded), or $5,563 (Max) for 2026-27.

⚠ Only heavy-duty, UL-approved 12-14 gauge extension cords may be used in living units; surge protectors must plug directly into wall outlets and may not be daisy-chained, and all appliances must be UL-listed and rated 700 watts (6 amps) or less.

⚠ Altering, covering, or tampering with smoke detectors, heat sensors, fire alarms, extinguishers, hoses, or sprinklers is prohibited; residents and their guests are held financially responsible for the damage and may face university student conduct charges.

See the full IU Bloomington packing checklist →

Common questions about Indiana University Bloomington dorms

What size bed do IU Bloomington dorm rooms have?

Every residence hall room has a single bed with an extra-long twin mattress, and IU states the mattress sits 20 inches from the floor as delivered. Bring extra-long twin sheets and a mattress cover. IU does not publish the mattress's length and width beyond "extra-long twin," so if you are buying a fitted topper or a bed-frame accessory, measure using the virtual measuring tool built into your hall's room tour.

Can I loft or bunk my bed at IU Bloomington?

Maybe — IU will not commit in advance. Its room-essentials page says only that "the ability to loft one's bed depends on the residence hall and room type" and that "not all rooms can accommodate the same type of lofts and layouts." Requests go through IU's third-party vendor, Bedloft, not Housing staff, and IU publishes no list of which halls or room types qualify. Two things are firm: residents may not reconfigure or disassemble university beds on their own, and bed risers of any kind are prohibited. Confirm with Bedloft or Residence Life for your specific assignment before buying under-bed storage.

Can I bring a mini fridge and microwave?

Yes. IU's optional-items list allows a mini refrigerator/microwave that pulls less than six amps and is 3.3 cubic feet or less. IU also partners with Bedloft for fridge/microwave combo rentals delivered to the room, along with futon purchases. Full-size refrigerators and freezers are prohibited.

Do all first-year students have to live on campus at IU Bloomington?

Yes. New first-year undergraduates are required to live on campus. You may request an exemption if you live with a parent or legal guardian within 25 miles of Bloomington; are a transfer student entering your first Bloomington semester with at least 15 transferable credit hours (AP credits do not count); are part-time at under 12 credit hours each semester of your first year; will be 21 before your first semester; are married and/or have children; or will live in a recognized self-governing student organization's facility with proof of residency. Financial, medical, and religious cases are reviewed individually. Submit the request before applying for housing, keep in mind the $200 application fee is non-refundable, and note that decisions are final and cannot be appealed.

Is air conditioning included in IU dorm rooms?

Not everywhere — check your building. IU's rates page says room rates include heat, electricity, air conditioning, water, and trash, but IU also operates buildings without central cooling (Ashton uses radiant heat with window AC units; University East is listed with radiant heat only). The reliable source is IU's per-building climate control listing. Forest, McNutt, Teter, and Briscoe are each individually listed as air-conditioned with non-operable windows — which also means window fans and window AC units are useless in those halls, and personal air conditioners are prohibited campus-wide unless IU Housing approves one for a medical need.

When do first-year students move into IU Bloomington dorms?

Fall 2026 Grand Move-In runs Aug. 18-19. Students confirm their specific date and time window in the IU Housing Portal. Everyone checks in first at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, 1001 E. 17th St. — enter from the Indiana 45/46 Bypass at Gate 11, Purple Lot, and park in the Green or Orange lot. Only the student may check in; parents and guardians cannot check in on their behalf. Students need their CrimsonCard (easiest on a phone), receive an unload-and-go parking pass at check-in, then drive to their building. IU asks students to be moved in by the evening of Wednesday, Aug. 19 so they can attend their first floor meeting. Center desks will not accept or distribute packages on Aug. 18 or 19.

What does IU Bloomington housing actually cost for 2026-27?

Room rates run by neighborhood and rate category for the academic year. Forest, McNutt, and Teter are Standard: $8,275 for the most common room ($9,516 highest at Forest and Teter, $10,344 at McNutt). Briscoe is Enhanced: $11,620 most common, $13,455 highest. On top of the room rate, budget the required 7-day meal plan ($4,404-$5,563), the $200 non-refundable application fee, and any learning-community activity fee — $50 per semester for Media, Atkins, STEM, and most thematic communities, and $100 per semester for Civic Leaders, INSPIRE, Kelley's Jellison LLC, and Luddy.