Loyola Expands Financial Aid Support for Future Students

New commitments promise at least $40,000 a year in university-funded scholarships and grants for eligible Early Decision applicants and Catholic high school students

Baltimore, 17 September 2026 – Loyola University Maryland is expanding its financial aid support for students planning to begin college in Fall 2027. The university has introduced two new commitments designed to make a Loyola education more affordable and give families clearer information about financial support during the college search process.

Under the new Early Decision Commitment, students admitted through either Early Decision I or Early Decision II will receive at least $40,000 each year in Loyola-funded scholarships and grants. Over four years, that represents a minimum of $160,000 in university-funded aid. Students with greater demonstrated financial need can also have 100 percent of their demonstrated need toward direct costs met through a combination of federal, state, and Loyola-funded resources, provided they meet the required financial aid conditions.

The commitment applies to both Early Decision rounds. Early Decision I has an application deadline of November 15, while Early Decision II has a January 15 deadline. Early Decision is binding, meaning students admitted through this route agree to enroll at Loyola and withdraw their other college applications.

Loyola has also introduced the Catholic High School Commitment. Beginning with students entering in Fall 2027, eligible graduates of Catholic high schools in the United States and abroad will receive at least $40,000 annually in Loyola-funded scholarships and grants. The commitment can provide at least $160,000 over four years when students continue to meet the renewal requirements.

To qualify for the Catholic High School Commitment, students must graduate from an eligible Catholic high school, be admitted as a first-time undergraduate student, enroll full-time, and have at least a 3.3 high school GPA. The award can be renewed for up to four years, subject to requirements such as maintaining full-time enrollment, meeting academic standards, and submitting the FAFSA each year.

Students do not need to identify as Catholic to qualify for the Catholic High School Commitment. Eligibility is based on graduating from an eligible Catholic high school and meeting the program requirements.

The two commitments are part of a wider effort by Loyola to improve college affordability and make financial aid information easier for families to understand. The university has also introduced the Maryland Promise and expanded the Charm City Promise for eligible Maryland and Baltimore City students entering in Fall 2027.

For students and families, clearer financial aid commitments can make it easier to understand the potential cost of attending college before deciding to enroll. Loyola's new initiatives place financial planning alongside admissions as an important part of the college selection process.

With these programs, Loyola is creating additional financial aid pathways for future students while strengthening its focus on access, affordability, and higher education planning. The initiatives will begin with students entering the university in Fall 2027.

• By Editorial Panel
• 18 Sep 2026