Financial Aid Information

Financial Aid Information

Application forms and guidelines are available in the Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions and online at?graduate.mercyhurst.edu

Mercyhurst Graduate Assistantships 

A limited number of graduate assistantships (GAs) are available for eligible students who can accept employment on the Mercyhurst campus. Graduate assistants receive a full or partial waiver of tuition and a stipend in return for a minimum of 25 hours of work weekly.?There is no waiver provided fees. 

Mercyhurst Graduate Employment 

Qualified students may be offered graduate employment opportunities at Mercyhurst University. Graduate employees (GEs) typically receive up to $9,000 in annual earnings. 

Veterans Benefits 

Information regarding veterans benefits can be obtained by contacting the Veterans Services Coordinator at 814-824-2617. 

Federal Direct Loan Program 

Graduate students who are U.S. citizens are eligible for Direct Unsubsidized Loans. These loans are not need-based. To apply for a Direct Loan, students must first complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). 

Students receiving a Direct Loan for the first time will be required to complete entrance counseling, to ensure they understand their obligation to repay the loan, and sign a Master Promissory Note, agreeing to the terms of the loan. These steps can be completed at studentaid.gov. 

Loan funds will first be applied to a student’s school account to pay for tuition, fees, and any other school charges. If any additional loan funds remain, they will be returned to the student. Should additional funding be necessary, Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loans and Private Alternative Education Loans may also be available. If students have federal loans from undergraduate studies, they can request an in-school deferment from the Direct Loan Program or loan servicer. 

Financial Aid Rights and Responsibilities

Students have the following rights and responsibilities:

  • Access to complete information regarding tuition, fees, payment, and refund policies.
  • Confidentiality of all personal and family financial information.
  • Reconsideration of student aid eligibility if student and parent situation warrants it through an appeal to Student Financial Services.
  • To advise Student Financial Services of any additional financial aid received that is not indicated on the Mercyhurst Financial Aid Offer Letter.
  • To follow application filing deadlines and to submit all required documentation for verification of financial and other information pertaining to the financial aid application process within 30 days of the request.
  • To give Student Financial Services permission to relay pertinent financial, academic, and other information to donors of aid upon request.
  • To maintain Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). (Refer to SAP Policy that follows).
  • To comply with the rules governing the types of financial assistance the student receives.

Financial Aid Application Procedures and Deadlines 

To apply for federal and institutional (Mercyhurst) financial aid, a student must complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each academic year.

Students can submit the FAFSA electronically via studentaid.gov. To file electronically, a student (and parent if student is a dependent) will need a U.S. Department of Education FSA ID. The FSA ID serves as a student’s and/or parent’s electronic signature. Call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 800-433-3243 for additional information about the FAFSA or visit studentaid.gov.

Although students can file the FAFSA anytime after October 1 for the following academic year in which they plan to attend, Mercyhurst’s priority deadline to file the FAFSA is March 15 of that year, to ensure full consideration for federal and institutional scholarships, grants, and loans. Be sure to include Mercyhurst’s institutional code, 003297, in the university choice section of the FAFSA.

Students may still file the FAFSA after the March 15 deadline, but they risk not receiving aid from some programs. In addition to the processed FAFSA, Student Financial Services must receive all requested documentation within 30 days of the request but no later than 30 days before the end of the semester or award period. This deadline allows processing and authorization of disbursements within timeframes defined by regulations pertaining to federal aid programs.

Students attending a course(s) in Summer Session must file a separate Summer Financial Aid Application two weeks prior to the end of the summer session they are attending to receive summer financial aid, including Federal Direct Loans. The link to the form is available on the Student Hub after April 15.

Failure to apply or to submit required documentation by the indicated deadlines might result in a loss of financial aid eligibility for all student aid programs.