Loyola University Chicago Scholarships (2025–2026)

What This Page Covers:

Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
Automatic merit ranges and who typically qualifies
Competitive and hidden-gem scholarships worth a look
Honors perks and how to stack awards the smart way

Paying for a private Jesuit university in the heart of Chicago can feel overwhelming, especially for first-generation families. Loyola offers a mix of automatic merit awards, competitive full-tuition scholarships, and special programs that can bring the price down much more than the sticker cost suggests. This guide walks you through every option in plain English—plus links to our Illinois state aid page and the full College Scholarships Hub so you can compare all your choices side by side.

💰 Cost of Attendance at Loyola University Chicago

Expense	Cost (All Students)
Tuition (12–21 credits)	$54,530
Mandatory Fees	$1,530
Housing & Meals (average)	$17,920
Books & Supplies	$1,600
Personal Expenses	$1,700
Travel	$230–$2,160
Total (before aid)	$77,510–$79,440

Average Net Price: $37,592 (2022–2023 NCES). This is what families actually paid on average after grants and scholarships—no loans included.

Regional Discounts: Because Loyola is a private university, it does not participate in WUE, MSEP, or other state reciprocity programs. All students pay the same tuition.

That said, Illinois residents may qualify for the MAP Grant, and ROTC scholarships can cover tuition plus part of housing (see Hidden Gems).

Who qualifies for reciprocity programs here?
None apply—private schools like Loyola charge the same rate for all students.

So how can families cut the cost?
Through automatic merit scholarships, selective full-tuition awards, Illinois MAP need-based grants, and ROTC or research stipends.

Do I have to apply separately for aid like MAP?
Yes—MAP is awarded through the FAFSA/ISAC process, while Loyola merit scholarships are automatic with admission.

✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
Presidential Scholarship	$28,000–$31,000/yr	Top academics; GPA and rigor considered; test-optional allowed	No	Yes — 2.0 GPA + full-time; up to 8 semesters	*Est. 3.9+ GPA, SAT 1350+/ACT 31+; strongest profiles
Damen & Trustee Scholarships	$24,000–$27,000/yr	Strong GPA; honors/AP/IB courses valued	No	Yes — same policy as above	*Est. 3.75–3.9 GPA, SAT ~1300–1350 / ACT ~29–31
Loyola, Dean & Regent’s Scholarships	$14,000–$23,000/yr	Solid GPA and curriculum; test-optional allowed	No	Yes — same policy as above	*Est. 3.4–3.75 GPA, SAT ~1200–1290 / ACT ~27–28

Award ranges depend on GPA, test scores (if submitted), and academic rigor. Estimates (*) are based on Loyola’s admitted-student profile since exact cutoffs aren’t published. All awards are tuition-only.

Do I need a separate application?
No. If you apply for admission by the priority dates (Dec 1 recommended, admitted by Feb 1), you’re automatically considered.

Is Loyola test-optional, and do they superscore?
Yes, Loyola is test-optional. If you choose to submit scores, they will superscore the SAT or ACT, taking your highest section scores across test dates.

Can I stack these with other aid?
Automatic merit is tuition-only. You can still use need-based aid (like Pell or Illinois MAP) or outside/private scholarships, but you cannot combine them with other Loyola tuition-restricted awards beyond the cost of tuition.

Does Loyola sponsor National Merit Scholarships?
No. Loyola is not a sponsoring university for the National Merit program. However, National Merit Finalists are welcome to apply and may still be considered for Loyola’s top institutional awards, like the Ignatian full-tuition scholarship (see Competitive Scholarships).

How long do these last?
They are renewable for up to 8 consecutive semesters (4 years), as long as you maintain a 2.0 GPA and full-time enrollment (12+ credits each term).

🏆 Competitive Scholarships

These awards require extra steps (application, nomination, or interview) and have limited slots. They are separate from automatic merit and do not include Honors-specific or departmental scholarships (those appear in their own sections).

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
Ignatian Scholarship	Full tuition + mandatory fees + housing & meal plan allowance	Invite-only; finalists chosen from admitted students with the strongest academics and leadership	Yes — by invitation (interview required)	Yes — per scholarship renewal policy	Students typically in the top 5–10% of the admitted pool: weighted GPA 3.9+, ACT 31+/SAT 1350+; strong involvement in service/leadership
Jesuit / BVM / Sisters of Christian Charity High School Scholarships	Half tuition	Graduates of eligible Jesuit, BVM, or SCC high schools; principal nomination; minimum 3.0 GPA	Yes — school nomination	Yes — maintains renewal standards	Nominees usually have a 3.5+ GPA, evidence of service, and leadership roles at their high school*
Gannon Scholars (Women & Leadership)	$8,000/yr (renewable)	Women committed to leadership and service; application and interview during Loyola Weekend	Yes — program application + interview	Yes — continued participation & good standing	Students often have 3.6+ GPAs and a track record of community leadership or advocacy*
Cristo Rey Scholars Program	Cohort award (amount varies by year/program)	Graduates of Cristo Rey Network high schools; selection via application and interview	Yes — program application	Yes — program participation & academic standing	Finalists generally present 3.5+ GPAs and strong work-study experience from Cristo Rey schools*

Notes: Competitive awards often require early action, nominations, or on-campus interviews. Funding is limited, and selection emphasizes both academics and mission/leadership fit. GPA/test bands above are estimates based on Loyola’s admitted-student profile and program history.

Are these stackable with automatic merit?
Full-tuition awards (like Ignatian) replace lesser merit awards. Other competitive awards may reduce or combine with automatic scholarships depending on total tuition covered.

Do I need to visit campus for an interview?
For the Ignatian and some cohort programs, finalists are invited to an in-person or virtual interview during spring events.

When should I apply?
Apply for admission by December 1 for priority merit consideration. Competitive program applications typically close between February and March.

💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships

These awards don’t always make the front page of admissions brochures, but they can make a real difference for certain groups of students. They include need-based aid, ROTC benefits, research stipends, and identity-based awards.

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
Illinois MAP Grant	Typically $500–$5,700/yr (depends on state funding)	Illinois residents with financial need; FAFSA required	Yes — FAFSA/ISAC process	Yes — if need and residency continue	Illinois families under state income thresholds; funds run out quickly so early FAFSA filing helps
Loyola Grant	Amount varies; can be several thousand per year	Awarded based on demonstrated financial need (FAFSA)	No — automatic with FAFSA	Yes — reapply each year with FAFSA	Families with remaining need after Pell/MAP and merit are awarded institutional grant dollars
Federal Pell Grant	$740–$7,395/yr (federal range for 2025–26)	U.S. citizens/eligible non-citizens with high financial need; FAFSA required	Yes — FAFSA	Yes — as long as FAFSA shows continued eligibility	Students with lower Expected Family Contributions (EFC); amount depends on FAFSA results
Leadership Scholars Program (LSP)	Full tuition & fees (8 semesters) + room & board (first 2 years)	First-generation and/or limited-income students selected by Loyola	Yes — program application	Yes — must remain in program and in good academic standing	First-gen or low-income students who also show leadership and service potential
ROTC Scholarships + Loyola Housing Grant	Covers full tuition & fees; $1,200/yr books; $420/mo stipend; plus $3,500/semester Loyola housing grant for full ROTC recipients	Army/Air/Navy ROTC students selected by national boards; must commit to service	Yes — ROTC application	Yes — tied to ROTC contract	Students chosen by ROTC boards, usually with strong GPAs (3.0+) and fitness/leadership track records
Loyola Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (LUROP)	$1,000 stipend + up to $1,000 project funding (example: Mulcahy Scholars)	Continuing students with a faculty mentor and approved research proposal	Yes — LUROP application	No (one-year awards)	Students with strong proposals in STEM, social sciences, or humanities who secure a faculty mentor
Catholic Heritage Award	Partial tuition (often $1,000–$5,000/yr)	Graduates of Archdiocese of Chicago or Diocese of Joliet high schools	Yes — verification form	Yes — if satisfactory progress continues	Students from eligible Catholic schools; paperwork must be submitted by deadline

*Dollar amounts and GPA figures are based on the most recent published data. Some programs (like MAP and Pell) change annually depending on state/federal funding. Families should re-check each year when filing the FAFSA.

Music Ensemble Scholarships ($300–$1,000/yr) — audition required; open to all majors
Boshart & Lawrence Fellowship in Music ($2,000/yr × 4 years for music majors)
Quinlan School of Business named scholarships (e.g., Ernst & Young, Jeffrey M. Jarczyk) — amounts vary, often GPA + need criteria
Department of Classical Studies travel and study scholarships (amounts vary)

Can I use these awards with my merit scholarship?
Usually yes. State and federal aid (like MAP or Pell) and LUROP stipends can stack with Loyola merit awards. ROTC scholarships replace tuition but Loyola adds a housing grant on top.

Do I need to fill out extra applications?
Yes — FAFSA for MAP and Pell, ROTC applications through the military, and program-specific applications for LUROP or Catholic Heritage.

Are these guaranteed each year?
ROTC scholarships are tied to service obligations, LUROP is one-year only, and MAP funding depends on state appropriations. Always re-check annually.

⭐ College Specialty

Loyola University Chicago isn’t just about its location in the heart of the city—it’s also nationally recognized for its leadership in health, business, and sustainability. For families weighing return on investment, Loyola stands out as a private Jesuit institution with deep ties to Chicago’s professional networks and a reputation for preparing graduates in high-demand fields.

Best Known Program: Loyola’s Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing is consistently ranked among the top nursing programs in Illinois and nationally, with strong NCLEX pass rates and clinical placement options across major Chicago hospitals.

Environmental Sustainability (School of Environmental Sustainability): First stand-alone school of its kind in the U.S., featuring field study at the Loyola Retreat & Ecology Campus.
Quinlan School of Business: Chicago-based AACSB-accredited business school offering nationally recognized accounting and finance programs.
Law (Loyola University Chicago School of Law): Ranked in the top 30 nationally for health law and trial advocacy (U.S. News 2024).
Medicine & Health Professions: The Stritch School of Medicine and graduate health programs feed into Chicago’s extensive hospital systems, creating pipelines for pre-med and allied health students.

🎖️ Honors College

Loyola’s Honors Program gives motivated students the chance to take small, discussion-based classes and work closely with faculty, while still finishing their degree on time. It’s a self-apply program, not automatic, and spots are limited—so applying early and putting effort into your essays matters.

What a Typical Loyola Honors Student Looks Like:
Weighted GPA around 3.8+ (unweighted 3.6+), strong AP/IB/honors coursework, and involvement in leadership or service. Test scores (if submitted) often fall in the ACT 29+/SAT 1350+ range. (Estimates based on Loyola’s admitted student profile—exact cutoffs not published.)

Perks That Matter:

Priority class registration
Small seminar-style courses with faculty mentors
Thesis or capstone project with close faculty guidance
Honors housing options and dedicated community events
Enhanced preparation for grad school or professional programs

Award	Who It’s For	Criteria
Graduating Senior Award	Honors seniors	Outstanding academic success throughout the program
Honors Program Social Justice Award	Honors students of any year	Significant promotion of equality and social justice
Student Leadership Award	Honors students of any year	Exemplary leadership and engagement within the Honors community

Is admission automatic?
No—you must apply separately with essays and short answers through the Honors Program portal.

Does it add time to your degree?
No. The Honors curriculum is designed to integrate into your regular degree plan, not extend it.

Are there scholarships tied directly to Honors?
The Honors Program does not offer extra money to incoming freshmen. However, current Honors students can earn awards like the Senior Award, Social Justice Award, and Leadership Award for their contributions and achievements.

When should I apply?
As early as possible—ideally by December 1—to maximize your chances of being considered.

📎 Official Links

Final Thoughts

Choosing Loyola University Chicago means weighing the costs of a private Jesuit education against the scholarships and aid that can bring it within reach. Between automatic merit, competitive full-tuition awards, state and federal aid, and hidden gems like ROTC and research stipends, most families will find that the sticker price isn’t the final number. If your student is drawn to Chicago’s opportunities in health, business, or sustainability—and is ready to apply early and stay organized—Loyola can be a powerful investment in their future.

✅ Last updated: September 16, 2025