Do I need a separate application for Loyola New Orleans merit aid?

No for the automatic Academic Merit Scholarship — Loyola says every admitted student is automatically considered up to full tuition. Yes for the Ignatian (full-tuition + housing) by December 1, the Catholic Identity by February 15, and the Social Justice by January 15.

Why can't I find the named merit tiers and dollar amounts on Loyola NOLA's website?

Loyola NOLA does not publish a public tier ladder. The scholarship page says students are 'automatically considered for a full range of merit-based academic scholarships' up to full tuition, but the specific dollar amount is communicated in the admission decision.

What does the Ignatian Scholarship at Loyola New Orleans cover?

The Ignatian covers full tuition and fees plus an on-campus housing and meal plan allowance for four years. Recipients are also admitted into the University Honors Program automatically and are expected to participate in service activities.

What stats do I need to apply for the Ignatian Scholarship?

A minimum 3.75 GPA (weighted or unweighted) AND a minimum 30 ACT or 1360 SAT, plus a separate application submitted by December 1. Test scores are required even though Loyola is otherwise test-optional for general admission.

Can I stack outside scholarships on top of Loyola NOLA's merit aid?

Loyola does not publish a detailed outside-scholarship displacement policy on its public site. Families should ask Student Financial Services (finaid@loyno.edu) in writing how a specific outside award would affect institutional aid before counting on the dollars.

Loyola New Orleans · Louisiana

Loyola New Orleans Merit Aid

Jesuit private in New Orleans where every admitted student is automatically considered for merit aid up to full tuition, with a separate competitive Ignatian Scholarship covering full tuition, fees, housing, and meals.

Verified May 20268 days ago· CC-1

Merit tiers21 automatic on stats

Last verifiedMay 2026Analyst CC-1

Common merit-aid mistakes at Loyola New Orleans

Skipping the Ignatian Scholarship application because the automatic merit award feels sufficient.
The Ignatian covers tuition, fees, and on-campus housing/meals — tens of thousands more than the highest published automatic tier. The December 1 deadline is well before most regular admission deadlines, so missing it permanently forfeits the school's largest award.
Assuming the published merit tiers can be Googled in advance.
Unlike many Jesuit peers, Loyola NOLA does not publish a public tier ladder with dollar amounts. Families have to wait for the admission decision letter or ask Admissions directly for an estimate. Net-price calculator is the most reliable pre-decision tool.
Stacking departmental and music scholarships without checking the donor restrictions.
The Ensemble Award and Rising Artist Award have participation requirements (ensemble service, audition retention); falling out of the ensemble or changing majors can void the award even if the student is still enrolled full-time.

Who this school is for

Strong students drawn to a small Jesuit campus in New Orleans who want automatic merit packaged with their admission decision, plus a clear top-end competitive path (Ignatian) for 3.75+/30 ACT applicants willing to apply by December 1.

Institutional merit aid tiers

Every tier below is sourced to the school’s own published financial aid pages. Renewal terms apply only if the student maintains the stated GPA.

Up to full tuition (tier amount varies with stats)

Academic Merit Scholarship (automatic)

AutomaticRenewable

View requirements

Eligibility

Awarded with the admission decision; no separate scholarship application. Loyola does not publish individual tier names or dollar bands on its public site; ask Admissions for your specific tier.

Renewal terms

Renewable for four years or eight academic semesters per the published scholarship page.

Notes

Loyola NOLA is unusual in not publishing a public tier ladder. The award amount appears on the student's admission decision letter rather than on the scholarship page.

Source

Full tuition and fees plus on-campus housing and meal plan allowance

Ignatian Scholarship

ApplicationRenewable

GPA: 3.75+ weighted or unweighted GPA
ACT: 30+ ACT (or 1360+ SAT)

Requirements & details

Eligibility

Separate application required by December 1. Recipients are automatically admitted to the University Honors Program.

Renewal terms

Four-year award with service expectations and continued academic standing.

Notes

Loyola NOLA's top competitive award. The dollar value is much larger than the automatic merit ceiling because it explicitly covers room and board on top of tuition and fees.

Source

Lesser-known scholarships at Loyola New Orleans

Named awards that don’t always surface on the main financial aid page. Each one has its own eligibility rules.

Catholic Identity Scholarship

AmountOne-year award (amount not publicly published)EligibilityIncoming students who demonstrate a true devotion to living out their Catholic faith.

Non-renewable; application deadline February 15.

Source

Social Justice Scholarship

AmountAmount not publicly publishedEligibilityDeclared sociology majors or minors. Recipients must complete 45 hours of community service per semester and maintain a 2.75 GPA.

Renewable across four years subject to service and GPA conditions; application deadline January 15.

Source

Ensemble Award

Amount$3,000 per yearEligibilityNon-music majors who commit to one major ensemble per semester.

Renewable for four years with continued ensemble participation; application deadline March 1.

Source

Rising Artist Award

AmountAmount variesEligibilityCollege of Music and Media majors. Awarded after a successful audition or portfolio review.

Source

Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship

Amount$3,000 per yearEligibilityTransfer students who are members of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society.

Source

Loyola New Orleans merit aid FAQ

Do I need a separate application for Loyola New Orleans merit aid?
No for the automatic Academic Merit Scholarship — Loyola says every admitted student is automatically considered up to full tuition. Yes for the Ignatian (full-tuition + housing) by December 1, the Catholic Identity by February 15, and the Social Justice by January 15.
Why can't I find the named merit tiers and dollar amounts on Loyola NOLA's website?
Loyola NOLA does not publish a public tier ladder. The scholarship page says students are 'automatically considered for a full range of merit-based academic scholarships' up to full tuition, but the specific dollar amount is communicated in the admission decision.
What does the Ignatian Scholarship at Loyola New Orleans cover?
The Ignatian covers full tuition and fees plus an on-campus housing and meal plan allowance for four years. Recipients are also admitted into the University Honors Program automatically and are expected to participate in service activities.
What stats do I need to apply for the Ignatian Scholarship?
A minimum 3.75 GPA (weighted or unweighted) AND a minimum 30 ACT or 1360 SAT, plus a separate application submitted by December 1. Test scores are required even though Loyola is otherwise test-optional for general admission.
Can I stack outside scholarships on top of Loyola NOLA's merit aid?
Loyola does not publish a detailed outside-scholarship displacement policy on its public site. Families should ask Student Financial Services (finaid@loyno.edu) in writing how a specific outside award would affect institutional aid before counting on the dollars.

How Loyola New Orleans compares across our verified dataset

133 of 150 verified schools publish at least one four-year renewable merit award.
Loyola New Orleans is one of them. The cohort minority (17 schools) only awards one-year scholarships, which means the four-year value families assume on a brochure quote isn't guaranteed at every school.

Sources used on this page

Every claim is checked against Loyola New Orleans’s own published materials. Below is the full reference set.