Make Loyola Your First Choice—with Greater Financial Confidence
If Loyola University Maryland is your clear first choice, Early Decision offers a direct path to becoming a Greyhound. In making that binding commitment to Loyola, you’ll receive a significant commitment from Loyola in return.
Students admitted through Early Decision I or Early Decision II who submit the FAFSA and all required financial aid materials by the published deadline will have 100% of their demonstrated financial need met toward direct costs through their complete financial aid package.
Regardless of demonstrated financial need, every student admitted through Early Decision I or Early Decision II will receive at least $40,000 annually in scholarships and grants.
Early Decision also gives you earlier access to key parts of your transition to Loyola, helping you plan your first year with greater confidence.
Know Where You Belong—Sooner
Early Decision is designed for students who know Loyola is their first choice. You’ll receive your admission and scholarship decision earlier, finish your college search sooner, and begin connecting with the Loyola community months before most students make their college choice.
Emily, Sophomore, Communication & Media Major
Loyola was the first school I applied to and it ended up being the only school I applied to. I had a really good feeling about Loyola, and it was the best decision I’ve ever made.
A Loyola Education Delivers Lasting Value
Choosing Loyola is an investment in an education designed to prepare you for what comes next. Your Loyola experience will combine a strong academic foundation with the relationships, experiences, and opportunities that help you discover where you want to go next.
Your Commitment to Loyola. Our Commitment to You.
Early Decision is a binding application plan. If you are admitted through Early Decision I or Early Decision II, you agree to enroll at Loyola and withdraw your other college applications.
Because affordability is essential to that commitment, we encourage you and your family to connect with our Admission and Financial Aid teams to review your circumstances and discuss your options.
Early Decision Dates and Deadlines
Loyola offers two Early Decision plans, giving you time to explore your options, visit campus, connect with our community, and decide whether Loyola is your clear first choice. If you’re not ready to make that commitment by November 15, Early Decision II gives you until January 15.
Both plans include the same financial commitment and priority transition benefits.
In addition to the Common Application and required credentials, Early Decision applicants must submit the "Common Application Early Decision Agreement," which students can fill out and send to their parent or guardian and school counselor to sign through the Common App platform.
Possible Early Decision Outcomes
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Loyola’s Early Decision Commitment?
Loyola’s Early Decision Commitment provides greater financial confidence to students who choose Loyola as their first-choice university.
Students admitted through Early Decision I or Early Decision II who submit the FAFSA and all required financial aid materials by the published deadline will have 100% of their demonstrated financial need met through their complete financial aid package.
In addition, every student admitted through Early Decision I or Early Decision II will receive at least $40,000 annually in Loyola-funded scholarships and grants, regardless of demonstrated financial need.
What does it mean to have 100% of my demonstrated financial need met?
Demonstrated financial need for the Early Decision commitment is determined by subtracting your Student Aid Index (SAI), as calculated from your completed FAFSA, from your direct charges. Direct charges include the published annual tuition and food and housing costs. For commuter students, direct charges include tuition only.
If you are admitted through Early Decision and submit the FAFSA and all required financial aid materials by the published deadline, Loyola will provide a financial aid package that meets 100% of your demonstrated financial need.
Your financial aid package may include a combination of scholarships and grants from institutional, merit, federal, state, and private sources, as well as Federal Direct Loans, to meet your demonstrated financial need.
Examples of how demonstrated financial need is met (based on 2025-26 figures)
On-Campus Student
| Cost & Aid | Dollar Amount |
|---|---|
| Direct Charge: Tuition | $61,810 |
| Direct Charge: Food & Housing | $19,630 |
| Total Direct Charges | $81,440 |
| Subtracted Student Aid Index | -$15,000 |
| Total Demonstrated Need | $66,440 |
| Financial Aid: Presidential Scholarship | $40,000 |
| Financial Aid: Early Decision Commitment Grant | $4,940 |
| Financial Aid: Loyola Grant | $16,000 |
| Financial Aid: Federal Direct Loans | $5,500 |
| Total Financial Aid Awarded | $66,440 |
Commuter Student
| Cost & Aid | Dollar Amount |
|---|---|
| Direct Charge: Tuition | $61,810 |
| Total Direct Charges | $61,810 |
| Subtracted Student Aid Index | -$15,000 |
| Total Demonstrated Need | $46,810 |
| Financial Aid: Presidential Scholarship | $40,000 |
| Financial Aid: Loyola Grant | $1,310 |
| Financial Aid: Federal Direct Loan | $5,500 |
| Total Financial Aid Awarded | $46,810 |
On-Campus Student with High Demonstrated Financial Need
| Cost & Aid | Dollar Amount |
|---|---|
| Direct Charge: Tuition | $61,810 |
| Direct Charge: Food & Housing | $19,630 |
| Total Direct Charges | $81,440 |
| Subtracted Student Aid Index | -$0 |
| Total Demonstrated Need | $81,440 |
| Financial Aid: Presidential Scholarship | $41,000 |
| Financial Aid: Early Decision Commitment Grant | $5,545 |
| Financial Aid: Pell Grant | $7,395 |
| Financial Aid: SEOG Grant | $4,000 |
| Financial Aid: Loyola Grant | $18,000 |
| Federal Direct Loan | $5,500 |
| Total Financial Aid Awarded | $81,440 |
Commuter Student with High Demonstrated Financial Need
| Cost & Aid | Dollar Amount |
|---|---|
| Direct Charge: Tuition | $61,810 |
| Total Direct Charges | $61,810 |
| Subtracted Student Aid Index | -$0 |
| Total Demonstrated Need | $61,810 |
| Financial Aid: Presidential Scholarship | $41,000 |
| Financial Aid: Early Decision Commitment Grant | $1,415 |
| Financial Aid: Pell Grant | $7,395 |
| Financial Aid: SEOG Grant | $4,000 |
| Financial Aid: Loyola Grant | $2,500 |
| Financial Aid: Federal Direct Loan | $5,500 |
| Total Financial Aid Awarded | $61,810 |
What is considered Loyola-funded scholarships and grants?
Loyola-funded scholarships and grants are forms of institutional financial aid funded by Loyola University Maryland. These include Loyola merit scholarships, need-based institutional grants, endowed awards, and other scholarships and grants funded by the University.
For purposes of the Early Decision Commitment, these awards count toward the guaranteed minimum of $40,000 annually in Loyola-funded scholarships and grants.
Other types of financial aid may be included in your overall financial aid package but do not count toward the $40,000 Early Decision Commitment. These may include federal and state grants, Federal Work-Study, federal student or parent loans, and scholarships or grants from private organizations or other outside sources.
If you receive $40,000 in Loyola-funded scholarships and grants and are eligible for additional federal, state, or outside aid, that assistance may be included in your financial aid package in addition to the Loyola-funded awards, depending on your overall demonstrated need. Your total financial aid package will depend on your individual eligibility for each type of aid.
Scholarships and grants generally do not need to be repaid. Loans must be repaid, typically with interest, while Federal Work-Study is earned through eligible employment rather than provided as an upfront award toward your bill.
Is the minimum $40,000 available to every admitted Early Decision student?
Yes. Every student initially admitted through Early Decision I or Early Decision II will receive at least $40,000 annually in Loyola-funded scholarships and grants, regardless of demonstrated financial need.
The Early Decision Commitment applies only to students who are initially admitted through Early Decision I or II. Students who are deferred or waitlisted and later admitted are not eligible for the Commitment.
Is the Early Decision Commitment a separate $40,000 scholarship?
No. The commitment represents the minimum amount of Loyola-funded aid an eligible student will receive. It is not an additional $40,000 award added on top of other Loyola-funded scholarships or grants. Students who qualify for more than $40,000 in Loyola-funded assistance will receive the higher amount.
If I am admitted through Early Decision and qualify for the Catholic High School Commitment, will I receive an additional $40,000 annually?
No. The $40,000 minimums offered through Loyola’s Early Decision Commitment and the Catholic High School Commitment are not added together. If you qualify for both, you are guaranteed to receive at least $40,000 annually in Loyola-funded scholarships and grants—not $80,000.
Your complete financial aid package may include additional aid based on demonstrated financial need.
Do I need to submit the FAFSA?
The FAFSA and all required financial aid materials must be submitted by the published deadline to qualify for Loyola’s commitment to meet 100% of your demonstrated financial need.
The minimum $40,000 annual commitment applies to every admitted Early Decision student, regardless of demonstrated financial need.
Is the Early Decision financial commitment renewable?
Yes. The Early Decision financial commitment is renewable for up to four years (eight semesters of fall and spring enrollment), subject to applicable eligibility and renewal requirements.
To remain eligible for the Early Decision financial commitment, students must:
- Submit a complete FAFSA and any other required financial aid materials by the university’s published deadline each year
- Maintain full-time enrollment
- Maintain a 2.0 GPA
- Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) as required for financial aid eligibility
What additional benefits come with Early Decision?
Admitted Early Decision students receive priority access to housing selection, first choice of Summer Orientation sessions, and earlier first-year course registration. Additional benefits may include preferred Move-In time selection, a personalized student-shadow experience, and commuter parking benefits.
What happens if my family’s financial need changes from year to year?
Your financial aid package may change from year to year because your family’s demonstrated financial need may change. Demonstrated financial need is calculated each year by subtracting your Student Aid Index (SAI), as determined by your completed FAFSA, from your direct charges. Changes in your family’s income reported on the FAFSA may affect your SAI from one academic year to the next. Your demonstrated need may also change if your housing status changes, such as moving from on-campus housing to commuter status.
If your demonstrated financial need increases, your financial aid package will increase to continue meeting 100% of your eligible demonstrated financial need. If your demonstrated financial need decreases, your financial aid package will also decrease and may not provide the same dollar amount of financial aid you received in the prior year.
Loyola’s commitment is to meet 100% of your demonstrated financial need each year—not to provide the same dollar amount of financial aid each year.
Do ED I and ED II students receive the same financial commitment and benefits?
Yes. Students admitted through either Early Decision I or Early Decision II receive Loyola’s Early Decision financial commitment and priority transition benefits. The primary differences between the two plans are the application deadlines and decision-notification timelines.
Is Early Decision binding?
Yes. If you are admitted through Early Decision I or Early Decision II, you agree to enroll at Loyola and withdraw your other college applications. Students, parents or guardians, and school counselors must sign the Common Application Early Decision Agreement.
What is the difference between Early Decision I and Early Decision II?
Both plans are binding and include Loyola’s Early Decision financial commitment and priority transition benefits. The primary differences are the application deadlines and decision-notification timelines.
Early Decision I may be a good fit if Loyola is your first choice and you are ready to submit your application by November 15. Early Decision II provides additional time to prepare your application and allows Loyola to consider available senior-year grades.
What is the difference between Early Decision and Early Action?
Early Decision is binding: if you are admitted, you agree to enroll at Loyola and withdraw your other applications. Early Action is non-binding, allowing you to receive an earlier admission decision while continuing to consider other colleges.
Can I apply Early Action to another college while applying Early Decision to Loyola?
Yes. You may apply to other colleges through non-binding Early Action plans. If you are admitted to Loyola through Early Decision, however, you must withdraw those applications and enroll at Loyola.
Can I apply Early Decision to more than one college?
No. You may have only one active binding Early Decision application. If you are not admitted through another institution’s Early Decision I plan, you may subsequently apply through Loyola’s Early Decision II plan.
What additional documents are required?
In addition to the Common Application and required application credentials, Early Decision applicants must submit the Common Application Early Decision Agreement signed by the student, a parent or guardian, and the student’s school counselor.
Students seeking consideration under the 100%-of-demonstrated-need commitment must also submit the FAFSA and all required financial aid materials by the published deadline.
What if I qualify for more than $40,000 in Loyola-funded aid?
You will receive the higher amount for which you qualify. The Early Decision Commitment establishes a minimum; it does not limit the institutional assistance Loyola may award.
When will I receive my admission and financial aid decisions?
Early Decision I applicants who complete all requirements by the published deadlines will receive their admission, scholarship, and financial aid notifications by late December.
Early Decision II applicants will receive their admission, scholarship, and financial aid notifications by early March.
Does applying Early Decision guarantee admission?
No. Early Decision does not guarantee admission. Each application is reviewed according to Loyola’s admission standards and requirements.
What happens if I am deferred or waitlisted during Early Decision and later admitted?
The Early Decision Commitment applies only to students who are initially admitted through Early Decision I or Early Decision II. Students who are deferred or waitlisted during Early Decision and later admitted are not eligible for the Early Decision Commitment, including the commitment to meet 100% of demonstrated financial need.
What if I’m not ready to apply by the Early Decision I deadline?
Loyola offers two Early Decision plans, giving you additional time to decide whether Loyola is the right choice for you. If you’re not ready to apply by the Early Decision I deadline of November 15, you can still take advantage of Loyola’s Early Decision Commitment by applying Early Decision II by January 15.
Use that additional time to continue your college search, visit campus, connect with our community, and make a thoughtful decision about whether Loyola is your first choice.
If you’ve already submitted your application and would like to change your decision plan, contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission at admission@loyola.edu before admission decisions are released to discuss your options.
Do my senior year grades still matter?
Yes, your senior year grades still matter. If you apply Early Decision II, your senior grades will be considered with your application for admission. While not required, senior year grades that are submitted as part of an Early Decision I application will also be considered. Overall, the Office of Admission reviews all students' final high school transcripts and expects accepted students to maintain their grades throughout senior year.
If I want to apply with test scores as a part of my application, when is the deadline to submit my scores?
Since Loyola is test-optional for admission, test scores are not a required component of the first-year application. If you would like to include test scores for review in your application and are applying Early Decision, testing must be completed by the last October test date to ensure receipt of scores.
Should I apply Early Decision if I have committed to play a Division I sport before submitting the application?
You are not required to apply ED if you have committed to playing a sport. However, if you know that Loyola is absolutely the only school for you and finances are not an issue, you should apply ED.
If I’m a commuter student, do these ED benefits apply to me?
Yes. Most benefits apply to all Early Decision students, including priority for admission, scholarships, Summer Orientation sessions, and early advising. Instead of priority room selection, commuter students receive free campus parking.
Start Your Application
Ready to Make Loyola Your First Choice?
Apply through Early Decision and take the next step toward becoming a Greyhound—with greater financial confidence and earlier access to the Loyola experience.
Not Ready to Make a Binding Commitment?
Apply through non-binding Early Action by November 15 to receive your admission decision by mid-January while retaining the flexibility to consider other colleges.
Learn about Early Action