Do colleges consider essays when determining merit aid award?

Paying for College
1

Hi all - here’s my situation:

I’m planning to apply to Loyola University by next week. I have almost everything ready to go which includes my transcript, test scores, letters of rec, application, fafsa, and resume; The only thing I need is my essay.

Right now, I have a decent essay that I could submit. I consider it to be a good essay, but I don’t think it’s ready to be submitted to more selective schools like northwestern and wash u. However, I’m fairly certain that it will suffice for Loyola. It’s not a bad essay by any means - it’s just not my finalized product, which will probably take a couple more months to finish.

Now here’s my question: Based on my test scores and grades, I am confident that I can get into Loyola right now if I apply with my current essay. However, I’m trying to get as much merit aid as possible. I did the net price calculator for Loyola online, and just based on my grades and ACT, they estimated that I would get around $21,000 a year in merit aid. But in addition to test scores and gpa, do schools also consider the quality of your essay when determining merit aid awards?
(I’m not referring to specific scholarships that you apply for separately from the application that usually require an interview; I’m talking about merit aid that they inform you of on your acceptance letter)

Thanks for any input guys :smiley:

2

It depends if the scholarships are competitive or not or if they are connected to special honors programs. USCarolina definitely puts a lot of emphasis on essays when selecting students for their top scholars program.

3

Hmmm. I don’t think these scholarships are too competitive, and they’re not connected to a special honors program. Loyola is quite generous about merit aid from what I’ve heard, and they tell you how much merit aid you qualify for on your acceptance letter. I’m wondering if they consider essays for this specific type of merit aid.

Thanks for the response btw :). Does anyone else have some insight or can add on to this?

4

Which Loyola University?

New Orleans, Maryland or Chicago?

5

@thumper1 ahh, I can’t believe I forgot to include that lol. Loyola University Chicago.