Frequently Asked Questions

What is Fidelity Investments®?

Fidelity Investments® is a privately held financial services company offering a wide range of services, including investment management, retirement planning, brokerage, and wealth management. It's one of the largest mutual fund companies globally, serving millions of individual investors. Fidelity® is known for its online brokerage platform, innovative investment strategies, and focus on retirement planning, particularly 401(k) management.

Who do I contact for questions about my Fidelity® account?

Questions about your Fidelity Investments® account? Unsure about investment options? What happens to your incentive dollars once they are transferred to your account? Check out the FAQs or ask Fidelity’s virtual assistant. If you still have additional questions about Fidelity®, email studenthelp@fidelity.com or call 1-800-FIDELITY.

How do I earn contributions from IU?

You earn contributions to your account by completing assignments outlined in your Engage & Thrive Canvas modules. The dollar amount for each assignment is listed with the assignment.

Why do I see Engage & Thrive line items on my student account transactions page?

You may notice items labeled Engage & Thrive on your IU Bursar account transactions page. IU is not charging you for those Engage & Thrive items. These items are simply a reflection of your Engage & Thrive deposits being transferred to your Fidelity® account.

Will participating in Engage & Thrive affect my financial aid?

We have structured Engage & Thrive so that it is unlikely to impact a student's financial aid package. However, each person's financial aid situation varies. If you have questions or concerns, we recommend contacting the Office of Financial Aid on your campus for a more specific analysis of your situation and the impact of incentives and awards through Engage & Thrive.

When are deposits from IU made into my Fidelity® account for Engage & Thrive?

Payments for Engage & Thrive will be disbursed after the programming period for the initiative ends each semester (Fall – December 1, Spring – April 15). Please note that it may take a few business days for the payment to be reflected in your Fidelity® account after it is processed.

Will funds come directly from the IU Bursar’s Office?

No. Funds for Engage & Thrive will not be distributed by the IU Bursar’s Office. All payments are made directly into your Fidelity® account.

Do I need to complete all of the activities in each domain before receiving payment?

Yes, you must complete all activities before payments are disbursed. For instance, if a domain specifies that you must complete four wellness activities between August 15 and April 15, you will not receive a payment until all four activities have been completed.

Do all events in Engage & Thrive earn the same amount?

The activities in Engage & Thrive have different assigned point values. The point values were determined by the leadership teams on each campus and the Office of the Vice President for Student Success, Enrollment, and Institutional Effectiveness. The incentive amount for each activity is reported in Canvas next to the due date.

What can I do with the financial incentives that I’ve earned through Engage & Thrive?

The funds earned through Engage & Thrive can be invested, saved for an emergency, or withdrawn as needed by students.

I already have an investment account with another financial company. Can I enroll in Engage & Thrive and have the money deposited into that other account?

Engage & Thrive is exclusively working with Fidelity Investments®. Any money earned by participating is deposited into your Fidelity® account. You may consult directly with Fidelity Investments® and your other financial institutions to review options for transferring money between accounts.

Do I have to pay taxes on money earned via Engage & Thrive?

Depending on the amount of dollars you earn by completing incentives, you may have to pay taxes. And if you withdraw money from your account, it will be taxable.

Why do I need to affiliate my Fidelity® app with Indiana University?

Connecting your Fidelity® app to Indiana University with your IU credentials links your account officially to the university. This connection enables IU to deposit funds into your account when you complete university-approved activities. Without this link, the university cannot transfer those funds to your Fidelity® account.

What is Engage & Thrive?

Engage & Thrive is a groundbreaking effort offered in collaboration with Fidelity Investments® to create a supportive environment that incentivize student engagement and rewards positive behaviors. The program aims to empower students to take charge of their education and financial future by helping them to thrive academically, socially, and personally. 

Is this program open to all IU students?

This program is open to all IU students who are:
- First-year college enrollees at IU (excludes transfer students)
- Classified as a full-time undergraduate
- At least 18 years old by November 1, 2026
- Possessing a valid Social Security Number 

Can international students participate in Engage & Thrive?

International students with a Social Security Number can apply for a Fidelity® Engage & Thrive account.

How do I sign up to participate in Engage & Thrive?

To sign up for Engage & Thrive you must first open a Fidelity® account and then complete the Registration Form to opt into the program. Once both steps have been completed and verified, you will receive notice of your enrollment into the Engage & Thrive Canvas course for your assigned campus.

Is there a deadline to sign up for Engage & Thrive?

October 1 is the sign-up deadline for students who first enrolled at IU during the fall semester. March 1 is the sign-up deadline for students who first enrolled at IU during the spring semester.

Are all campus events included in Engage & Thrive?

All campus activities are not included in Engage & Thrive. The specific activities for your campus can be found on the Engage & Thrive webpage.

How is my attendance recorded at Engage & Thrive events?

All Engage & Thrive events will have an official attendance tracking method. In most cases, this will involve scanning a QR Code or using your individual Event Pass to record your attendance. The hosting organization may also use other options or software platforms to capture program/event attendees. It is your responsibility to ensure that your attendance is recorded.

Where do I track my progress in completing Engage & Thrive activities?

Your progress towards the completion of Engage & Thrive activities is found in the Canvas course. You can access Canvas through One.IU. Click the link for “Grades” in the upper left corner of the Canvas course page. Please note there can be a lag between when activities are completed and when they are recorded in the grade book.

Do I have to complete the University Pathway activities before completing the campus-specific activities?

You can complete the activities in any order. However, you should note that some of the University Pathway activities, such as the Early Academic Advising assignment, must be completed within a certain timeframe.

Can I participate in Engage & Thrive events on other IU campuses?

All participating students will be assigned to their home campus within the Canvas course. Dual Canvas course enrollments are not permitted. Thus, you will not receive incentives for attending Engage & Thrive activities on other campuses.

I have a question about this program. Who can I contact for help?

For questions about Engage & Thrive, please email stuwell@iu.edu.