Undergraduate Grants and Scholarships

Grants and Scholarships are sources of financial assistance that do not have to be repaid. Grants and Scholarships are usually awarded based on financial need, merit or a combination of both.  The Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid will not offer additional grant or scholarship assistance to students who turn down any federal loans included in their financial aid packages. The application process and evaluation criteria varies based on the type of grant or scholarship.

In This Section:

Institutional Scholarships | For Louisiana Residents |Federal Grants |Additional Resources

Institutional Scholarships

Institutional Merit Scholarships

First-year and transfer scholarships are based on outstanding academic records, competitive test scores, and significant community involvement. Talent-based scholarships are also available in music, theatre arts, and visual arts. Partial tuition scholarships range from $6,000 - $20,000 annually. The Office of Undegraduate Admissions automatically considers all applicants for  scholarships based on their admittance credentials.

Alumi Association Legacy Scholarships

If your family tree includes a parent, stepparent, or grandparent who is a Loyola University alumnus/a, you may be eligible for up to $5,000 in scholarship money to be used for tuition, books, room and board, or additional student fees. Learn more and apply at the Loyola Alumni Association Legacy Scholarship page.

Athletic Scholarships

Loyola offers a small number of full scholarships for student-athletes participating in the men's and women's basketball programs.  NEW: Starting in the 2009-2010 year, a small number of partial scholarships will be awarded to students who are actively participating in other intercollegiate athletic programs (volleyball, women's tennis, baseball, and cross-country/track) .

Tuition Discounts for Law Enforcement Professionals

Loyola University New Orleans’ Department of Criminal Justice, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office and the New Orleans Police Department have partnered to give officers pursuing bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice a 60 percent discounted rate on course fees. Read more about the Tuition Discount Program.
 

Employee Tuition Remission Benefit Programs

Loyola’s tuition remission benefit provides opportunities for educational development for eligible employees, their spouses and dependent children. As a member of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities, Loyola also participates in the "FACHEX" Program. Read more about these two Employee Tuition Remission Programs
 

Scholarships and Grants for Louisiana Residents

TOPS Scholarships at Loyola

TOPS (Taylor Opportunity Program for Students) is a program of state scholarships for Louisiana residents whose high school achievement earns them a TOPS Scholarship. Three different types of TOPS Scholarships can be used at Loyola: TOPS Opportunity Award, TOPS Performance Award, TOPS Honors Award.  

Louisiana Private Aid Programs

We have compiled a list of private or "outside" organizations that award scholarships to Louisiana residents.  Each scholarship has its own eligibility requirements and application process.  Private aid programs provide need-based scholarships, study abroad scholarships, merit scholarships and awards that support students with a particular field of study or talent. View our list of Louisiana Private Aid Programs.
 

Robert C. Byrd Scholarship Program

Robert C. Byrd Scholarship Program applications are mailed each year in February to all public and nonpublic high schools and all GED Centers. A copy may be obtained through your high school guidance counselor or GED Center. View the Robert C. Byrd Scholarship Program Brochure (PDF).
 

GO Grant Program

The Louisiana GO Grant Program provides a need-based component to the state’s financial aid plan to support nontraditional and low to moderate-income students who need additional aid to afford the cost of attending college. 

Effective with the 2009-2010 academic year, the award amount ranges from $200 to $2,000 annually based on the student's "Education Cost Gap" calculation ("ECG"). There will also be a cap in the total amount of funds awarded to Loyola University New Orleans. Therefore, it is important that students submit the 2009-2010 FAFSA  by the priority application deadlines.

To learn more about the program, visit the Louisiana Go Grant Program site. NOTE: The state has made a number ofchanges to this program for the 2009-2010 academic year. 

Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP) Grant Program

LEAP is a program that provides need-based grants to academically qualified students. LEAP Grants are made possible through both federal and state funding. The Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA) allocates funds to post secondary institutions in Louisiana. Applicants are selected and certified for LEAP by the school's financial aid officer.

Federal Student Aid Programs

Federal Pell Grant

The Federal Pell Grant Program provides need-based grants to low-income undergraduate and certain postbaccalaureate students to promote access to postsecondary education.  Students who would like to be considered for a Pell Grant must complete a FAFSA. Learn more about Pell Grants including policy changes for the 2009-2010 award year.

Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)

The Academic Competitiveness Grant is for first-year college students who graduated from high school after January 1, 2006, and for second-year college students who graduated from high school after January 1, 2005.  Learn more about ACG grants.

Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) program is for undergraduates with exceptional financial need. Awards are between $100 and $4,000 a year.  Learn more about FSEOG grants.

SMART Grants

The National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant, also known as the National Smart Grant is available during the third and fourth "Title Four Academic Years" of undergraduate study to students who met the following criteria:

  • full-time students who are eligible for the Federal Pell Grant; and
  • who are majoring in physical, life, or computer sciences, mathematics, technology, or engineering or in a foreign language determined critical to national security.
  • The student must also have maintained a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 in coursework required for the major.

The National SMART Grant award is in addition to the student's Pell Grant award. For more detailed information on eligibility requirements, visit our SMART Grants Eligibility page.

Robert C. Byrd Scholarships

Under this program, the federal government makes funds available to states to award scholarships to exceptionally able students for study at postsecondary schools.

Each state agency must establish guidelines for selecting scholars. Scholarships are awarded to entering freshmen. They can be renewed for an additional three years provided that funds are appropriated and the students maintain eligibility according to their state guidelines.

TEACH Grants

There are many questions that surround the new Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant ( "TEACH" Grant") program that was created by the College Cost Reduction and Access Act. Since we do not offer an undergraduate degree in education, students currently cannot participate in this program. We are, however, investigating avenues which would allow interested students to participate in the program.  To learn more about general program requirements, eligibility and other stipulations, visit our TEACH Grants page.

Additional Grant and Scholarship Resources

"Outside" Scholarship Programs

If a student needs additional funding over and above the Financial Aid award offered by Loyola, he or she may seek "outside" or private scholarships. Depending on the type and amount of the award, "need-based" aid may need to be adjusted if a student receives additional outside scholarships. Visit our "Outside" Scholarship Programs page to find resources that will help you search private scholarship opportunities and avoid scams

State Programs for non-Louisiana Residents

Students who are not Louisiana but would like to receive state-funded aid may find resources by visiting the Directory of State Higher Education Agencies site or the National Association of State Student Grant & Aid Programs site.
 

Programs for Military, Veterans and thier Dependents

For families ands students with military affiliation, we have three pages of information to address your specific needs: Military Sponsored Programs, Programs for Veterans of Military Service, Programs for Dependents of Veterans.
 

Programs for families impacted by natural disasters

To assist families, students and financial aid counselors around the country and in our area, we've compiled a list of resources for those affected by natural disasters.

Updated June 26, 2009