Financial Aid – College Admission at Loyola

Loans and Scholarships

By | September 21, 2016

I know that Halloween is a month away, and I don’t mean to scare anyone just yet about the topic of “loans.” When I first started hearing that word and understanding what it was, I got a negative impression out of it, especially when people emphasized that they still owe money after years and years. For my first two years of college, I had that mindset and I did not borrow any money. However, this year is my first year taking out loans and I can finally say that loans aren’t that bad (or even scary).

The unsubsidized loan is a wonderful thing because it is a loan that does not acquire interest as long as you stay in school. This means that you owe money that you know you need to pay off; there is no surprise in this loan. This loan also works in your favor because it is based off of your income taxes as well- it isn’t the same reward amount for everyone. This means that the rewarded amount should have some representation of your (or your family’s) earnings.

The subsidized loans are different in that in addition to the amount of money borrowed, there is interest included and factored in.

In my opinion, thus unsubsidized loan is worth taking out because it will allow you to be more responsible and pay off the money yourself, as opposed to using your parent’s money to pay off tuition and other fees. Also, you know in the future, you will have a job and save money, so there’s certainty that you will be able to pay the loan off eventually to its entirety.

Scholarships!

In my experience, I haven’t be so successful in receiving scholarships through external sources because they are based off of specificity or given out randomly (like Scholarship Points). The chances/likelihood of getting a scholarship are not high. However, internal scholarships within your [high] school or through Loyola are much more likely. These scholarships range from academic standing to whether or not you attended Catholic school.

Here’s a link to the LUC info on these scholarships:

http://www.luc.edu/finaid/scholarships/undergraduate/

All in all, I wouldn’t worry so much on taking out loans and I would encourage you to be on the lookout for scholarships you think you can do/apply for. Remember, it doesn’t hurt to apply for them! It can only work in your favor.

Scholarship Searches

By | February 29, 2016

Affording a college education can be expensive, especially if you plan to dorm on-campus. Besides financial aid from the FAFSA, scholarships (external and internal) can substantially reduce expenses. But getting a scholarship isn’t easy. You have to earn it; you need to meet all the qualifications that the scholarship specifies for.

One advise I have for you- create an account through Fastweb. This site sends emails every week and suggests a list of scholarships that match certain characteristics and info that you provide in your profile. You do not have log-in and log-out from the site consistently; you get informed of scholarships all through email, which makes it so easy and efficient to use. From this site, I was able to get some scholarships and with that, I can testify that this site is worthy of trying out.

Internal scholarships (aid from the school) are usually found the school website. For Loyola, there are 2 kinds of internal scholarships- merit-based and non-merit based. Usually the merit-based scholarships are awarded when you first apply for school admittance. The non-merit scholarships vary greatly and they are not automatically awarded to you- you need to apply for these scholarships separately.

Here is a link to the LUC scholarships: h

ttp://www.luc.edu/finaid/scholarships/undergraduate/

I highly encourage you to keep in touch with tons of companies (big or small) and see if scholarships are available. Sometimes, having connections/networking can really help because they can personally put in a good recommendation for you to the scholarship committee.

If you have any other questions regarding scholarship searches, feel free to leave a message down below or contact the financial aid office at 773.508.7704

5 Reasons Why You CANNOT Miss Loyola Weekend

By Lindsy Fagerstrom | March 16, 2015

5 Reasons Why You CANNOT Miss Loyola Weekend:

EVERYONE you want to meet will be there. Are you looking to talk to a Chemistry professor, the Director of the Wellness Center, a Campus Ministry Chaplain, Directors of Loyola’s Interdisciplinary or Quinlan Honors Programs, the Dean of the School of Communication? We have faculty, staff, current students, and alumni from just about every department, major, minor and program on-campus. That’s a ton of awesome people from the Loyola Community who will be around all weekend to answer all of your questions.
You get an ALL-ACCESS PASS. Literally. It’s the only weekend the entire year when you can tour all 5 first-year residence halls, the Nursing Simulation Lab, the Engineering Science lab, a Chemistry lab, the Fine Arts Annex, the Newhart Family Theatre, the Institute of Environmental Sustainability, Campus Prayer Rooms, and Halas Recreation Center. This is, of course, in addition to our normal Lake Shore Campus and Water Tower Campus tours that are offered the rest of the year.
Get ALL of your questions answered. Are you wondering … How do I make the deposit? Where can I study abroad? How do I register for classes & orientation? What do I do with my AP scores? What do the dining hall menus look like? Well we’re here to answer those questions. The day is filled with presentations (on topics like Next Steps, Financial Aid, Study Abroad, Off-Campus Student Life, etc.) to get you answers for any of those questions floating around in your mind. It’s a one-stop-shop to get it all taken care of so you don’t have to schedule multiple appointments or call/email different departments at the University.
Figure out what that FINANCIAL AID Package really means. Don’t worry, you are not alone with this one. Understanding your financial award and responsibility is a tricky task, which is why we want to help you out with that during Loyola Weekend. Financial Aid counselors will be giving presentation and available to meet with you to answer your specific questions. Trust me, going to the presentation will be a life-changing and worthwhile decision.
Meet other future RAMBLERS! Each year hundreds of students come to campus this weekend to get their first chance to really see what life as a Rambler looks like. It’s a great way to confirm Loyola is the best fit for you and make some new friends for your upcoming collegiate years. And hey, maybe you’ll even meet your future roommate, teammate, classmate, or even your future best friend!

Now that you’re dying to go to Loyola Weekend,
click here for a full schedule & registration!

Defining Different Types of College Visits: Which visit is right for you?

By Lindsy Fagerstrom | February 24, 2015

Daily Presentations & Tours at the Lake Shore Campus
- Target Audience: Students who have yet to apply and guests
- Focus: General information about Loyola and the admission process; tour of the Lake Shore Campus
- Website: https://uao.luc.edu/VisitLSCFreshman/
Daily Presentations & Tours at the Water Tower Campus
- Target Audience: Prospective and admitted students interested in Business, Communication, Education, or Social Work.
- Focus: Tour of our full-service Water Tower Campus.
- Website: https://uao.luc.edu/VisitWTCFreshman/
Admitted Student Appointments
- Target Audience: Admitted high school seniors and guests
- Focus: Talk one-on-one with an admission counselor who can answer your questions about: Financial Aid, Scholarships, Next Steps, Orientation, Majors/Minors, Residence Life, Student Activities, Athletics, Study Abroad, Chicago, Campus Safety, Campus/City Transportation, Dining Hall Options, etc.
- Website: http://luc.edu/undergrad/getmore/comevisit/admittedhighschoolsenior/
Transfer Student Appointments
- Target Audience: Prospective and admitted transfer students and guests
- Focus: Talk one-on-one with an admission counselor who can answer your questions about: Financial Aid, Scholarships, Next Steps, Orientation, Majors/Minors, Residence Life, Student Activities, Athletics, Study Abroad, Chicago, Campus Safety, Campus/City Transportation, Dining Hall Options, etc.
- Website: http://luc.edu/undergrad/getmore/comevisit/transferstudents/
Class Shadowing
- Target Audience: Admitted high school seniors
- Focus: Meet with a current student and attend a class or two with them to get a taste of the academic experience on-campus. If possible, we will assign you to attend class with a student who has a similar major to you.
- Email: visitloyola@luc.edu
Overnight Visits
- Target Audience: Admitted high school seniors
- Focus: Get the full Loyola experience: stay overnight in the residence halls with a current first year student, eat in the dining hall, and attend on-campus events.
- Website: uao.luc.edu/apply/status
- Email: you@luc.edu
Multicultural Overnight Visits
- Target Audience: Admitted high school seniors with a multicultural background
- Focus: Get the full Loyola experience: stay overnight in the residence halls with a current first year student, eat in the dining hall, attend on-campus events, and learn about diversity at Loyola.
- Website: uao.luc.edu/apply/status
Basketball Socials
- Target Audience: Admitted high school seniors and guests
- Focus: Cheer on the Loyola Ramblers Division 1 Men’s Basketball team in the recently renovated Gentile Arena with other admitted students Loyola’s biggest fans.
- Website: uao.luc.edu/apply/status
Loyola Weekend
- Target Audience: Admitted high school seniors, admitted transfer students, and guests
- Focus: This is my favorite campus-event (and not just because I plan it!) This event highlights all aspects of Loyola: Financial Aid, Next Steps, Study Abroad, Academics, Lake Shore Campus, Water Tower Campus, Campus Ministry, Student Diversity, Leadership, Student Activities & Greek Affairs, Research, Residence Life, Alumni, Faculty, Staff, and Current Students!
- Website: luc.edu/loyolaweekend
Virtual Visits
- Target Audience: Prospective and Admitted Students who do not have the ability to visit campus
- Focus: Tour campus online to gain a glimpse of our community-oriented, urban, campuses.
- Website: http://www.youvisit.com/tour/luc

Enjoy your Campus Visit

Find Yourself at Open House!

By Lindsy Fagerstrom | October 7, 2014

As the on-campus event coordinator in the Undergraduate Admission Office, some of my favorite weekends of the year are coming up – our Fall Open Houses! This year we will be offering two Fall Open Houses on Saturday, October 18th and Saturday and Saturday, November 8th on our Lake Shore Campus for High School Seniors, High School Juniors, and Transfer Students. Open Houses are a great way to spend some time on campus to see if Loyola is the best “fit” for you. All of the different tours, sessions, and activities are designed to introduce you and your guests to the Loyola community.

Open Houses at Loyola differ from our daily campus visits in that they offer students, parents, and guests insight into the entire Loyola Community.

We offer presentations on: Freshmen Admission/Scholarship, Transfer Admission/Scholarship, Financial Aid, Study Abroad, Pre-Health Advising, Career Development & Experiential Learning, and Residence Life.

We offer tours of the Lake Shore Campus, all first year Residence Halls, and the Institute of Environmental Sustainability.

We also offer a Department Fair where guests have the opportunity to meet with faculty, staff, or students from every major at Loyola.

Click here to register for Open House!

Click here to view the full agenda for Open House!

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to bring anything to Open House?

You are not required to bring anything to Open House. Though we do recommend that you spend some time looking at the schedule before hand so you can select which sessions you would like to attend. Also, be sure to come prepared with any questions you have for admission counselors, financial aid counselors, or faculty members from your major/program of interest.

Do you have hotel recommendations for the weekend?

Yes, click here for recommended lodging options nearby.

Is parking available on campus?

Yes, we recommend that all visits park in our main parking structure on campus. Parking will be free on both Saturdays.

If I cannot attend Open House, is there another time I can visit campus?

Yes, you can attend a campus visit at our Lake Shore Campus on Monday – Saturday and our Water Tower Campus on Monday – Friday.

If you have any additional questions, give us a call at 800.262.2373 or email us at admission@luc.edu.

Don’t Miss Your Chance to Explore Campus!

By Lindsy Fagerstrom | October 14, 2013

Only 26 days until the first Undergraduate Admission Fall Open House of 2013 at Loyola University Chicago! This year’s Open Houses will take place on Saturday, November 9th and Saturday, November 16th starting at 9:00 a.m. Many students & parents have been asking questions about the event, so hopefully this post will provide some answers!

What is Open House?

Open House is an opportunity to explore campus, tour the residence halls, learn about academic programs, find out about admission and financial aid, and connect with current students and faculty! There will also be presentations on experiential learning, residence life, study abroad opportunities, pre-health advising, and the new Institute of Environmental Sustainability. Click here for a full schedule.

Who can attend Open House?

High school juniors & seniors, transfer students, and their families are invited to attend Open House. Click here to register online!

Do I need to bring anything to Open House?

Do you have hotel recommendations for the weekend?

Yes, click here for recommended lodging options nearby.

Is parking available on campus?

Yes, we recommend that all visits park in our main parking structure on campus. Parking will be free on both Saturdays.

If I cannot attend Open House, is there another time I can visit campus?

Yes, you can attend a campus visit at our Lake Shore Campus on Monday – Saturday and our Water Tower Campus on Monday – Friday.

If you have any additional questions, give us a call at 800.262.2373 or email us at admission@luc.edu.

Work Study Pays Off!

By Hannah Colborn | February 2, 2012

As part of my financial aid package at Loyola, I was given the opportunity to get a work study job in the neighborhood to bring in some extra $$$. Starting at the beginning of the fall semester, I took on a position as a tutor through an after school program put on by a church in Rogers Park, about a ten minute walk from Loyola’s Lakeshore campus. The job turned out to be more fun than I ever thought— I get paid to play dodgeball, do art projects and help the cutest third graders ever with their multiplication tables. Today we took the kids on a field trip to Warren Park a few miles from campus to go ice skating, my favorite wintertime activity! The weather has been unseasonably warm in the Windy City for the past few days, so it was perfect weather today to skate outdoors. Some of the kids had never skated before. They were nervous and shaky at first, but by the end of the afternoon they had gotten the hang of it! It was so great to see what a blast they were having.

Here are some photos of the excursion today (All were taken by me!)—

A few of the kids leaning on me at the beginning of the trip