As the Jesuit, Catholic university in Baltimore, Loyola University Maryland is deeply committed to the people, the history, the culture, and the bright future that Baltimore and its student leaders hold. The Charm City Promise Program was established to recognize and support high-achieving students from Baltimore City public, charter, or Catholic high schools who demonstrate significant financial need.
Through this generous grant program, all eligible accepted students will receive a financial aid award that meets 100% of their demonstrated need toward Loyola’s full direct cost of attendance.
We are thrilled to be able to provide the students of Baltimore City with greater accessibility towards a Loyola education. During these unprecedented times, we realize more students may want to stay closer to home for their college education. We hope the Charm City Pell Promise makes that a reality for even more students from Baltimore City.
Grant Details
- Eligible students will receive financial aid assistance from Loyola that, when added to federal grants and loans awarded, state grant aid, University grant aid, and other grant aid for which they are eligible, will equal up to the full direct cost of attendance, including housing and food for resident students.
- The grant is renewable up to four years (8 semesters, fall and spring) providing the student maintains full-time enrollment and a minimum, cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0.
Eligibility
To be considered for the grant, students must:
- be a full-time, first-year, first-time student applicant
- have attended (for at least three years) and graduated from a Baltimore City public, charter, or Catholic high school
- be Federal Pell eligible as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- submit all required financial aid documents by the stated application deadlines
Application Fee Waivers
The $60 admission application fee will be waived for all students applying to Loyola from a Baltimore City public, charter, or Catholic high school. Students can apply using an application fee waiver by making a selection on the Loyola-specific section of the Common Application. One of the Loyola-specific questions on the Common Application will ask if you intend to apply using a school-specific fee waiver. Students should respond "Yes" to this question and select the "Fee waiver for students who qualify for the Charm City Promise Program" from the drop down menu. If you have questions about submitting an application fee waiver, please contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission at admission@loyola.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to receive the Charm City Promise Grant?
To be eligible to receive the Charm City Promise Grant, students must apply and be accepted to Loyola University Maryland as a first-year student. Students must also:
- have attended (for at least 3 years) and graduated from a Baltimore City public, charter, or Catholic high school
- be Federal Pell eligible as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- submit all required financial aid documents by the stated application deadlines
Which Baltimore City schools are part of the Charm City Promise Program?
If you are unsure of whether your high school qualifies, please email the Office of Undergraduate Admission at admission@loyola.edu.
Is an application required to be considered?
No additional application is required. To be considered, students must apply for full-time undergraduate admission to Loyola by the Early Decision I (Nov. 15), Early Action (Nov. 15), Early Decision II (Jan. 15), or Regular Decision (Jan. 15) application deadline, using the Common Application, and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the February 15 financial aid deadline.
I attend a Baltimore City public, charter, or Catholic high school but I am not a Baltimore City resident. Am I eligible for the Charm City Promise Grant?
Yes. All students attending a Baltimore City public, charter, or Catholic high school are eligible to receive the grant. You do not need to be a Baltimore City resident to be eligible so long as you attend one of the qualifying high schools. If you are unsure of whether your high school qualifies, please email admission@loyola.edu.
I am applying to Loyola as a transfer student. Am I eligible to receive the Charm City Promise Grant if I graduated from a Baltimore City public, charter, or Catholic high school before attending college?
No. The Charm City Promise Grant is available for first-year student applicants only. We offer several need and non-need-based grants for transfer applicants. Visit our Grants page to learn more.
How do I know if I have been chosen to receive the Charm City Promise Grant?
Students awarded the Charm City Promise Grant will be notified after admission when financial aid packages are released. Accepted students who applied for financial aid by the Feb. 15 application deadline will receive their financial aid package by mid-March.
What are the requirements to retain the grant throughout my time as an undergraduate student at Loyola?
The Charm City Promise Grant is renewable for up to four years (8 semesters, fall and spring) providing: the student remains Pell eligible; maintains full-time enrollment of at least 12 credits; maintains a minimum, cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0; and has demonstrated need based on direct charges minus the student aid index (SAI) and the total amount of aid (grants, scholarships, student loans) offered from all sources.
I received the Charm City Promise Grant. Can I defer my enrollment to a future spring or fall entry term and keep the grant as part of my financial aid package?
If a student requests and is approved for only a one semester enrollment deferral, they would retain the portion of the original aid package that is designated for the spring term only. Students who request and are approved for an enrollment deferral for the following year would need to reapply for need-based financial aid prior to enrolling. If at that point they are still Pell eligible they would receive a Charm City Promise Grant.
What happens to my grant if I am awarded scholarships or grants from outside sources?
The amount of your Charm City Promise Grant may be recalculated to ensure that the total amount of aid (grants, scholarships, student loans) you receive from all sources is not greater than the full direct cost of attendance minus your student aid index (SAI).
What happens if my family income changes after I receive the Charm City Promise Grant?
All students are required to apply for financial aid each year by refiling the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Office of Financial Aid will review the information submitted on the FAFSA annually, so if your family’s financial situation changes and you remain eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, your grant will be recalculated based on your direct charges minus your student aid index (SAI) and the total amount of aid (grants, scholarships, student loans) offered from all sources.
I have a parent/guardian who works at the university. Am I eligible to receive the Charm City Promise Grant in addition to the tuition grant benefit my family receives?
No. We will adjust Charm City Promise Grant to ensure that full direct cost of grant and scholarship assistance from all sources is not greater than the full direct cost of attendance at Loyola University Maryland.
What happens to my grant if I choose to study abroad in my junior year?
The Charm City Promise Grant, as well as other forms of institutional financial aid, may only be used for study abroad expenses for programs administered or sponsored by Loyola. The Charm City Promise Grant will be forfeited for the semester or year if you study abroad in a program administered by another college, university, or private organization.
Will the amount of my grant remain the same for each year I attend Loyola?
The amount of your grant will be determined annually based on your Federal Pell Grant eligibility, the results of your FAFSA, your direct charges minus your student aid index (SAI), and aid (grants, scholarships, student loans) offered from all sources. Your remaining need will determine the amount of your Charm City Grant.
I plan to live at home with my family, rather than in an on-campus residence. How does this affect the amount of my grant?
If you choose to live off-campus or with family, the amount of your Charm City Promise Grant will be based only on Loyola’s cost of tuition and not on the full direct cost of attendance (tuition, housing, food).
Are test scores required to be eligible for the Charm City Promise Grant?
No. Applicants who apply through Loyola’s test-optional policy are fully eligible for the same consideration as applicants who submit standardized test scores.