Insider Guide To Indiana Universitys Exclusive Freebies And Discounts

Nov. 9, 2025, 3:36 p.m.

Indiana University (IU) offers a wide range of freebies, discounts, and promotional offers designed to enhance the campus experience for students, faculty, staff, and alumni. These opportunities span entertainment, retail, technology, and educational resources, reflecting IU’s partnerships with leading brands and organizations. Below is a comprehensive guide based on verified sources, detailing how eligible members of the IU community can access these benefits.

Free Finney Fries Promotion: How to Score Free Food at Basketball Games

IU Athletics has partnered with Finney Hospitality Group (FHG) to offer free Finney Fries to fans during regular season men’s basketball home games at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. The promotion is triggered when an opposing player misses two consecutive free throws during a single trip to the free-throw line. Upon activation, fans can redeem their reward at FHG’s Indiana-based restaurants, including The Tap, Yogi’s, Social Cantina, and SmokeWorks.

To participate, fans must:
1. Download the FHG Rewards app and complete the sign-up process.
2. Cheer loudly during opposing free-throw attempts to encourage misses.

The reward appears in the FHG Rewards app by 9:00 a.m. the following day and expires after one day. It is valid for dine-in only and requires a purchase. This unique promotion aligns with similar initiatives in college basketball and the NBA, where teams reward fan engagement during games.

IU Athletics Promotions: Swag, Memberships, and Special Experiences

IU Athletics hosts ongoing promotions designed to deepen fan engagement. These include:

MBB & WBB Posters: Collectible "floating heads" posters are available at the IU Team Store, a tradition since the 1981-82 season.
Hoosier Bison Buddies Club: A family-focused fan club with two membership levels (Cream and Crimson), offering exclusive merchandise, gameday experiences, and free admission to select events.
Video Board Announcements: Fans can send personalized birthday, congratulations, or good luck messages for display during football and basketball games.
Hoosier Newborns Club: New parents receive newborn-themed merchandise, automatic enrollment in the Junior Hoosier Club, and a video board birth announcement.

These programs foster community and celebrate milestones, making IU events more memorable for attendees.

Free Digital Subscriptions for Campus: Accessing Premium News and Academic Resources

IU Bloomington faculty, staff, and students can activate free digital subscriptions to major national publications using their IU email address. Available titles include:
- The New York Times Online
- The Washington Post
- The Wall Street Journal

IU Libraries provides access instructions and links for these subscriptions, alongside resources like the Chronicle of Higher Education and international news databases. This initiative supports academic success and professional development by ensuring campus-wide access to authoritative journalism.

Retail Discounts in Indianapolis: CrimsonCard Benefits

IU Indianapolis students, faculty, and staff holding a CrimsonCard can access exclusive retail discounts in the Indianapolis area:

Pet Care Services: IU employees receive a 10% discount on all services (excluding medications, lab testing, prescription diets, and over-the-counter items). Drop-off appointments are available for convenience.
Eiteljorg Museum: Free admission for IU Indianapolis students and 20% off unlimited membership for students, faculty, and staff.
Local Retailers: 10% discounts at select locations when presenting the CrimsonCard at checkout.

These benefits reflect IU’s collaboration with local businesses to enhance the value of campus affiliation.

Technology and Software Discounts: No-Cost Software and Hardware Savings

IU’s partnerships with tech vendors deliver significant cost savings:

Hardware

Apple Store: Discounts on MacBooks, iPads, Apple Watches, and AirPods.
Dell IU Store: Reduced pricing on laptops, desktops, monitors, and accessories via CDW-G and GovConnection.
Specifications: The IU ComputerGuide offers hardware requirements to help students make informed purchases.

Software

No-Cost Downloads: Microsoft 365 and Adobe Creative Cloud are available at no charge to IU students, faculty, and staff through IUware.
IUanyWare: Cloud-based access to Windows software on macOS, Chromebook, iOS, and Android without downloads or installations.

Cellular Service

AT&T Discounts: Enrolled IU students receive an 8% discount on most base rate plans. New and existing customers access a 24/7 Business End User Care support hotline.

These resources reduce technology expenses and ensure equitable access to essential tools for academic and professional tasks.

Alumni Benefits: Executive Education Discounts

IU alumni can pursue professional development through the Kelley School of Business Executive Education programs, which cover strategy, finance, marketing, operations, communication, and leadership. Courses are available online or in-person at the Bloomington campus, and IU alumni receive a 15% discount on each course. This initiative supports lifelong learning and career advancement.

Conclusion

Indiana University’s freebies, discounts, and promotional offers span entertainment, education, retail, and technology, reflecting a commitment to enriching campus life. From scoring free food at basketball games to accessing premium software and digital subscriptions, these opportunities leverage IU’s strategic partnerships to deliver tangible value. Eligible individuals—students, faculty, staff, and alumni—should verify their eligibility and take advantage of these benefits throughout the year.