Apply for Financial Aid

We understand that financial aid options can be complicated. The Student Financial Services Office is available to provide guidance and support for all families throughout the financial aid process.

Apply to MU

• All students who wish to be considered for financial assistance must apply for admission to the University at www.misericordia.edu/apply.

File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at studentaid.gov

• MU uses the information collected on this application to determine eligibility for all Federal, State, and Institutional aid and loan programs.
• Undergraduate Pennsylvania Residents must complete the FAFSA by May 1st every year. 
• Search for "Misericordia University" or use code 003247 when prompted. If you are transferring to Misericordia and have already filed a FAFSA for the current year, you can add Misericordia using the school code. 

• After your FAFSA is processed you will receive an email instructing you to review your Student Aid Report and make corrections should it contain any errors. 

FILE A FAFSA HERE

Basic eligibility requirements that a student must demonstrate on the FAFSA

• Must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen;
• demonstrate financial need for need-based federal student aid programs;
• have a valid Social Security number (with the exception of students from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau);
• be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program;
• be enrolled at least half-time to be eligible for Direct Loan Program funds;
• maintain satisfactory academic progress in college or career school (View Misericordia's Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy);
• provide consent and approval to have your federal tax information transferred directly into your FAFSA form (new for 2024-2025);
• sign the certification statement on the FAFSA form stating that you're not in default on a federal student loan, you do not owe money on a federal student grant, and you'll only use federal student aid for educational purposes; and
• show you're qualified to obtain a college or career school education by:
• having a high school diploma or a state-recognized equivalent such as a General Educational Development (GED) certificate;
• completing a high school education in a homeschool setting approved under state law (or—if state law does not require a homeschooled student to obtain a completion credential—completing a high school education in a homeschool setting that qualifies as an exemption from compulsory attendance requirements under state law).

Some federal student aid programs have their own eligibility criteria in addition to the general requirements listed above. 

GETTING STARTED - FILLING OUT THE FAFSA FORM

HOW FINANCIAL AID WORKS

What to Expect After Filing

Misericordia will create a financial aid package for students once a completed FAFSA and other requested information is received.  Our policy is to offer scholarships and grants first, followed by employment and loans for which a student may be eligible. The financial aid offer includes general information about each type of aid offered including the sources (Federal, state, institutional) and instructions for accepting or rejecting each award.  The maximum amount of scholarships/grants a student may be eligible for is the annual full-time tuition rate. 

New full-time undergraduate students who are admitted to the university will receive their financial aid offer letter and information in the early spring. 

Returning full-time undergraduate students will receive a financial aid offer for the next academic year at the conclusion of the spring semester, after final grades and Satisfactory Academic Progress is completed.

Part-time and graduate students will receive a financial aid offer letter once they are enrolled in courses and their FAFSA is received.

Grants, scholarships, and loans received from federal, state, and institutional sources are credited directly to a student's account each semester.  Financial aid is applied directly to institutional charges (tuition, fees, housing and meal plan) on the student's account within ten (10) days of the start of the semester if all required steps have been completed to verify eligibility. Any excess funds will be available to students within fourteen (14) days of the date the credit balance occurs in the form of a refund check. Checks are mailed to the home address. 

Financial aid is offered on a yearly basis and in most cases, divided equally between the Fall and Spring semesters. Students must continue to meet certain eligibility requirements for all financial aid each academic year, such as Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Students must complete a FAFSA each academic year to be considered for need-based financial aid (such as federal grants and loans and state grants).