Loyola University Maryland

Office of Financial Aid

Application Process for First-Year Applicants

Merit-Based Scholarships

All students are eligible to receive merit-based scholarships, and every student who completes an application for admission is automatically considered for merit scholarship funding. No separate application is required, and you will be notified of your merit scholarship at the time of admission.

Read additional information about merit-based scholarships.

Need-Based Financial Aid

There are many changes coming to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application for the 2024-25 aid year. Historically, the FAFSA has been available beginning October 1 each year. However, because of significant changes to the application and the rebuild of the FAFSA processing system, the 2024-25 FAFSA will not be available until sometime in December 2023. Loyola has adjusted its application process accordingly. Please see below for details on the application process for each admission decision plan.

Learn more about the changes to the 2024-25 FAFSA

Spring First-Year Applicants

All Spring Admission applicants must complete the following by November 15 in order to receive their Financial Aid decision before the Dec. 15 deposit deadline. Students who submit their FAFSA by the Nov. 15 deadline will receive their need-based financial aid package within two business days of their admission decision.

How to Apply

Complete the 2023-24 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Complete the FAFSA online. You and your parent must have a FSA ID to electronically sign the FAFSA.  Loyola University's FAFSA Code Number is 002078.

The best way to provide accurate income information on the FAFSA is by opting to use the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Data Retrieval Tool (DRT). This process allows eligible applicants and parents to automatically transfer 2021 tax return information from the IRS to your FAFSA. It assures accuracy, saves time, and minimizes processing delays. DRT also significantly reduces the chances of your FAFSA being selected for verification by the Department of Education (ED) or Loyola. Students will be notified by both ED and the financial aid office if/when we need additional documents. Learn more about federal verification.

Early Decision I & Early Action Applicants

The FAFSA will not be available until December and therefore Early Decision I and Early Action applicants will not have access to the FAFSA form in time to receive their need-based financial aid package alongside their admission decision. Understanding the importance of financial considerations in your decision-making, Loyola has taken proactive steps to address this challenge. We have created an internal application form specifically for early applicants—the Loyola Estimated Aid Form (LEAF). If you submit the LEAF by January 5, you will receive your need-based financial aid estimate within 24 hours of your admission decision.

By filling out the LEAF, we’ll be able to provide you with an estimated need-based financial aid package based on the self-reported information provided on the form. This estimated, preliminary financial aid package will provide you with insights into the potential financial support Loyola can offer. It’s important to note that families receiving an estimated financial aid package will be required to submit the official FAFSA once it becomes available. This step ensures that you can receive an official, finalized financial aid award.

Submit the LEAF

Application Timeline

Action Date
Loyola Estimated Aid Form (LEAF) available By October 20, 2023
Deadline to submit the LEAF January 5, 2024
Notification of estimated award Within 24 hours of admission decision
FAFSA available December 2023
FAFSA filing deadline February 15, 2024
Notification of official award Students who submit their FAFSA by February 15 will receive their updated and finalized need-based financial aid package by mid-March

Early Decision II Applicants

The FAFSA will not be available until December and therefore Early Decision II applicants will not have access to the FAFSA form in time to receive their need-based financial aid package alongside their admission decision. Understanding the importance of financial considerations in your decision-making, Loyola has taken proactive steps to address this challenge. We have created an internal application form specifically for early applicants—the Loyola Estimated Aid Form (LEAF). If you submit the LEAF by February 1, you will receive your need-based financial aid estimate within 24 hours of your admission decision.

By filling out the LEAF, we’ll be able to provide you with an estimated need-based financial aid package based on the self-reported information provided on the form. This estimated, preliminary financial aid package will provide you with insights into the potential financial support Loyola can offer. It’s important to note that families receiving an estimated financial aid package will be required to submit the official FAFSA once it becomes available. This step ensures that you can receive an official, finalized financial aid award.

Submit the LEAF

Application Timeline

Action Date
Loyola Estimated Aid Form (LEAF) available By October 20, 2023
Deadline to submit the LEAF February 1, 2024
Notification of estimated award Within 24 hours of admission decision
FAFSA available December 2023
FAFSA filing deadline February 15, 2024
Notification of official award Students who submit their FAFSA by February 15 will receive their updated and finalized need-based financial aid package by mid-March

Regular Decision Applicants

The 2024-25 FAFSA will be available sometime in December. Regular Decision applicants and families should plan to complete and submit the FAFSA as soon as it’s available, so you’re considered for the maximum amount of aid that you’re eligible for.

Application Timeline

Action Date
FAFSA available December 2023
FAFSA filing deadline February 15, 2024
Notification of award Late March

Explore the Brochure: Your Guide to Financial Aid