General Undergraduate FAQs

Applying for financial aid is very easy. Loyola requires all financial aid applicants to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The application process is available on our web site.

FAFSA school code: 002078

Yes! Many families mistakenly assume they don't qualify for aid and prevent themselves from receiving assistance by failing to apply. We recommend that you apply and allow us to determine your eligibility.

Merit scholarships are strictly based upon academic achievement: the family's financial circumstances are not a factor when determining eligibility for merit aid.  Determination of eligibility for all merit-based scholarships is made by the Office of Admission.  Eligibility for need-based aid is determined based on an evaluation of family financial strength using the information provided on the FAFSA.

No, since the eligibility for merit-based scholarships is determined based only on the strength of the student's high school academic record. However, we recommend that all applicants complete the FAFSA to be assured that you are considered for all sources of need-based aid for which you may qualify.

Yes, although non-U.S. citizens are unable to complete the FAFSA, you can apply for need-based financial aid by submitting the CSS Profile application. While filling out the application, you will most likely encounter a pop-up on the site indicating Loyola does not accept this application. Please bypass all warnings and continue to complete and submit the application. Loyola's CSS Code Number is 5370.

Submitting the CSS Profile allows Loyola to consider you for institutional need-based grants.

No. Applicants for admission should submit the FAFSA according to the application filing deadlines listed above.

Yes, eligibility for all forms of need-based institutional and federal forms of aid is determined based upon an annual review of the information submitted on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  Annual changes in the information provided on the FAFSA may affect the Student Aid Index.

While we adhere to a need-blind policy for most of our admission decisions, budgetary constraints result in need-aware admission decisions for a small segment of the applicant pool. This allows us to meet as much of the financial need for as many students as possible. We are need-aware for all international applicants and during the waitlist process.

Our goal is to incorporate privately-funded awards or awards from other outside sources in a student's financial aid package as favorably as possible. These awards are added to meet any unmet need first and then substituted for self-help forms of financial aid before adjusting institutional grant assistance. Additionally, the awards are applied evenly to the students account between the fall and spring semesters unless otherwise specified by the donor.

First-Year

• Early Action: November 15
• Regular Decision: February 15

Transfer

• Fall: January 1
• Spring: November 1

Continuing Students

• April 1

Maryland residents must file the FAFSA by March 1 to be considered for Maryland state aid programs.

We encourage you to still complete the application process. However, priority awarding of institutional need-based aid is given to students who meet Loyola’s filing deadline. Late awards are not guaranteed and will be made on a fund's available basis.

Loyola Grant consideration for Late Applicants

• FAFSA application submitted between July 1st and July 31st - Up to 90% calculated grant eligibility.*
• FAFSA application submitted between August 1st and August 31st - Up to 80% calculated grant eligibility.*
• FAFSA application submitted after August 31st - Up to 70% calculated grant eligibility.*

*Dates and percentages are subject to change based upon availability of funds.

First Year applicants who meet the financial aid application deadline will be notified within two days of receiving their admission decision.  Transfer applicants who meet the application filing deadline will be notified within a week of their admission decision.  Continuing students who meet the application filing deadline will be notified no later than June 15.  

Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a need-based federal student aid program that allows students the opportunity to earn funds throughout the academic year to support a portion of their educationally related expenses. Most students work from 10-15 hours per week. Students are paid on a bi-weekly basis for the number of hours worked. FWS earnings may not be applied as a credit on the student's bill.

Federal Work-Study eligible students are given highest priority for the student worker positions on campus. Students who are not federal work-study eligible may seek direct hire positions on campus. The Human Resources office has information on available direct hire positions.

While the FAFSA will ask about siblings enrolled in college, the analysis will not adjust for this. Therefore, this could impact the amount of federal aid you are eligible to receive. However, Loyola will continue to consider the number of siblings enrolled in college at the same time for eligibility for institutional forms of aid for undergraduate students.

If the study abroad program is a Loyola sponsored program, the student is eligible for all forms of federal, state, institutional, and private sources of aid except Federal Work-Study. Students studying abroad for a semester or full academic year will forfeit the value of a Federal Work-Study award.

If the study abroad program is an external program, students are eligible to receive Federal Direct Loans (Subsidized and Unsubsidized), Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans, Federal Pell Grant, and most forms of state grant/scholarship assistance. Institutionally controlled forms of financial aid including academic scholarships, athletic grants, non-need-based grants, need-based grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, and Federal Work-Study are forfeited and may not be used to assist with educational expenses incurred for these study abroad programs. Privately funded scholarships and grants may be used only with written permission of the organization or donor sponsoring the award.

Students receiving VA benefits should contact Loyola's primary VA Certifying Official in the Office of the Registrar at 410-617-2347 or vabenefits@loyola.edu to determine if your benefits my be used for study abroad programs.

Please contact Loyola’s VA Certifying Official in the Office of the Registrar and the Office of International Programs to determine if your study abroad program is approved for your benefits.

Yes, your financial aid is likely to change as the programs available for undergraduate and graduate students differ. For more details about the financial aid programs for graduate students, please visit the Graduate Financial Aid webpage.