Sources of Financial Aid

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  Incoming First Year Students: Academic Scholarships and Grants

  Merit Scholarships and Grants

  Up to $15,000

  Merit scholarships and grants for tuition are awarded to students based on information provided during the application process, including grade point average, ACT/SAT scores, as well as leadership, service, and other extracurricular activities.

  These academic scholarships and grants are automatically renewed each year for a total of four years (eight semesters, Fall and Winter). Students must maintain a solid grade-point average, based on the University’s Scholarship and Grant Renewal Policy, and continuous, full-time enrollment. These scholarships are not applied to the Summer term. These grants may only be used for tuition expenses and are not refundable. 

  • Undergraduate scholarships and grants have been determined based on information provided during the application process.
  • Undergraduate scholarships and grants are renewable at the same value as originally awarded each year for four years (a total of eight semesters, Fall & Winter) and can only be applied to the cost of full-time undergraduate tuition.

  Program Exceptions:
  

  • Architecture: Students will receive a $4,000 academic scholarship each semester of the graduate phase of the program (two semesters).
  • Architectural Engineering: Students are eligible to receive their undergraduate scholarship and grant offer for the entirety of the undergraduate Architectural Engineering program which is five years (10 semesters).
  • 5-Year Physician Assistant: Students will receive a $2,500 academic scholarship each semester of the graduate phase of the program (six semesters).

  Catholic Education University Grant

   $1,000 - $2,000

  Starting with new enrollment in Fall 2023, students who attended a Catholic school from grades 1-12 are eligible to receive $2,000 a year. Students who attended and graduated from a Catholic high school (grades 9-12 only) are eligible to receive $1,000 a year. This grant is available each year for a total of four years of full-time undergraduate tuition.

  Commerce Academic Scholarship

  Up to $16,000

  Freshmen interested in pursuing a business major, with a competitive academic record and evidence of significant community involvement or leadership, are eligible for the Commerce Scholarship for undergraduate tuition.

  McNichols Puritan Lodge Community Counsel (MPLCC) Scholarship

  Full Tuition

  High school students need to be a resident of the McNichols Puritan Lodge Community Counsel (MPLCC) area, which includes the boundaries of West McNichols on the north, Lodge Freeway to the south, with Livernois on the west, and Log Cabin and Idaho Streets on the east. Candidates will be invited to a scholarship interview. This award is available each year, for four years (8 semesters, Fall and Winter) of full-time undergraduate tuition. Scholars must maintain a 2.0 cumulative grade-point average. Up to two scholarships for incoming freshmen are selected each year by the admissions office.

  Theatre Performance Scholarship

  Varies

  Full-time freshmen pursuing a major in theatre are eligible for the Theatre Performance Scholarship. Students must be regularly accepted into the Theatre program and are invited to audition. This scholarship is available for four years of full-time undergraduate tuition.

  Visit Grant

  $1,000

  High school students who make an official visit to University of Detroit Mercy by May 1 of their senior year will be awarded the $1,000 campus visit grant upon enrollment at Detroit Mercy. This grant is available for up to four years of full-time, undergraduate tuition.

  Students who apply for admission are automatically considered for all University scholarships and grants.

   

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  Incoming Transfer Students: Academic Scholarships and Grants

  Detroit Mercy Grant

  Up to $14,000

  Transfer students are awarded grants based on academic achievement. These grants are renewable for up to four years (five years for Architecture students) of full-time undergraduate tuition.

  2.0 – 2.49 GPA $6,000

  2.5 – 2.99 GPA $11,000

  3.0 – 3.49 GPA $12,000

  3.5 – 4.00 GPA $14,000

  Jesuit Founders Scholarship

  Full Tuition

  The Jesuit Founders Scholarship awards new transfer students who have been academically successful and show promise of continued excellence. Full tuition will be met with a combination of the Jesuit Founders Scholarship as well as with other federal, state, and private grants and scholarships for which the student may be eligible. Students must be unconditionally admitted to be invited to compete for this scholarship and pursuing their first bachelor's degree. Click here for more information. 

  Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship

  Full Tuition

  The Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship is offered to new transfer students who demonstrate exceptional academic credentials and who are also members of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Full tuition will be met with a combination of the PTK Scholarship and other federal, state, and private grants and scholarships for which the student is eligible. Students must be unconditionally admitted to be invited to compete for this scholarship and pursue their first bachelor's degree. Click here for more information. 

  Engineering & Science Scholarships 

  Visit the Engineering & Science scholarship page to learn about internal and external scholarships generally available for engineering and science students.

  Catholic Education Grant

  $1,000 per year

  Requires full-time enrollment and is awarded to transfer students who graduated from a Catholic high school. This grant is renewable for up to two years.

  Theatre Grant

  Varies

  Full-time transfer students pursuing a major in theatre are eligible for the Theatre Grant. This grant is renewable for up to four years. Students must be regularly admitted to the theatre program, and be invited by the theatre faculty to audition during the winter semester.

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  Academic Scholarships & Grants Renewal

  Scholarship and Grant Renewal Guidelines

  Freshman/transfer scholarships and grants are for full-time, undergraduate enrollment, and are renewable each year for a maximum of four years (eight semesters, Fall and Winter). 

  Program Exceptions:

  • Architecture: Students will receive a $4,000 academic scholarship each semester of the graduate phase of the program (two semesters).

  • Architectural Engineering: Students are eligible to receive their undergraduate scholarship and grant offer for the entirety of the undergraduate Architectural Engineering program which is five years (10 semesters).

  • 5-Year Physician Assistant: Students will receive a $2,500 academic scholarship each semester of the graduate phase of the program (six semesters).

  Scholarship and Grant Renewal Requirements:

  • Maintain a 2.0 GPA unless otherwise noted*
  • Maintain continuous, full-time enrollment
  • Contribute to the Detroit Mercy community through service and leadership
  • Be a conscientious and responsible member of the Detroit Mercy community

  Detroit Mercy scholarships and grants are not applicable to the Schools of Law or Dentistry, may not be combined with other tuition discount programs, and are subject to change. 

  *The following scholarships have different GPA requirements. If students do not meet the GPA requirement, their scholarship may be canceled or adjusted:

  • Detroit Promise 2.5 GPA requirement
  • Commerce Scholarship 3.0 GPA requirement 
  • Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship 3.0 GPA requirement
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  Donor Funded Scholarships

  A variety of scholarships may become available as gifts are made to the University. Amounts and selections vary with the terms of the scholarships. Awardees are selected by review of eligible students, and/or by review of student requests for additional funds. Scholarships are awarded throughout the academic year until all funds are awarded. 

  The donor scholarship application and request for additional funds can be found at: udmercy.academicworks.com

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  Dylenski Travel Grant

  A grant for students in the College of Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences (CHASS) for the summer session International Experience. Students can obtain an application from the program coordinator in CHASS. These funds are refundable to assist with travel expenses. Award amounts vary.

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  Ford EEOC

  Scholarships awarded each year with preference to full-time, undergraduate, minority and/or female, children or spouse of current Ford employees. Award amounts vary based on amount in fund and number of qualified applicants. Application must be submitted by date on the application.

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  Federal Pell Grant

  The Federal Pell Grant is awarded to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor’s or professional degree. Pell Grants provide a foundation of financial aid to which other aid may be added. The Federal Pell Grant is limited to 12 semesters, or the full time equivalent of 12 semesters. See below for more information on the new Lifetime Eligibility Limits. The Pell Grant is funded each year by Congress, which sets the award minimums and maximums. Pell may be awarded to full, part time, or less than half-time students. Pell Grants are considered to be need-based aid. A complete FAFSA required, there is no separate application.

  Lifetime Eligibility

  This is an excerpt from the Pell Grant web page from Student Aid on the Web:

  Calculating Pell Grant Lifetime Eligibility Used

  The amount of Federal Pell Grant funds a student may receive over his or her lifetime is limited by a new federal law to be the equivalent of six years (12 semesters) of Pell Grant funding. Since the maximum amount of Pell Grant funding a student can receive each year is equal to 100%, the six-year equivalent is 600%.

  How is my Pell Grant Lifetime Eligibility Used calculated?

  Scheduled Award: The maximum amount of Pell Grant funding you can receive is calculated for an “award year.” An award year is a period from July 1 of one calendar year to June 30 of the next calendar year. Your “scheduled award” is partially determined by using your expected family contribution (EFC) that is calculated from the information you (and your family) provided when you filed your FAFSA. Your scheduled award is the maximum amount you would be able to receive for the award year if you were enrolled full-time for the full school year. Your scheduled award represents 100% of your Pell Grant eligibility for that award year.

  Percent Used: To determine how much of the maximum six years (600%) of Pell Grant you have used each year, the Department compares the actual amount you received for the award year with your scheduled award amount for that award year. Of course, if you receive the full amount of your scheduled award, you will have used 100%. Some students do not receive their entire scheduled award for an award year. There are a number of reasons for this, the most common of which are that the student was not enrolled for the full year, or that the student was not enrolled full-time, or both.

  If you did not receive the full amount of your scheduled award, we calculate the percentage of the scheduled award that you did receive. For example, if your scheduled award for an award year is $5,000, but because you were enrolled for only one semester you received only $2,500, you would have received 50% of the scheduled award for that award year. Or if you received only $3,750 for the award year because you were enrolled three-quarter-time and not full-time, you would have received 75% for that year.

  Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU): The Department keeps track of your LEU by adding together the percentages of your Pell Grant scheduled awards that you received for each award year. The table below shows examples of the LEUs of three students who received differing amounts of their scheduled awards over a four year period.

  Examples of Pell Lifetime Eligibility Used

  Award Year	Award	Student A	Student B	Student C
  Award Year 1	Pell Grant Scheduled Award	$5,550	$5,000	$4,000
  	Pell Grant Amount Received	$2,775	$3,750	$4,000
  	Percent Used	50%	75%	100%
  Award Year 2	Pell Grant Scheduled Award	$5,200	$5,000	$5,550
  	Pell Grant Amount Received	$5,200	$5,000	$5,550
  	Percent Used	100%	100%	100%
  Award Year 3	Pell Grant Scheduled Award	$4,700	$5,000	$5,550
  	Pell Grant Amount Received	$4,700	$1,250	$5,550
  	Percent Used	100%	25%	100%
  Award Year 4	Pell Grant Scheduled Award	$4,700	$5,000	$5,550
  	Pell Grant Amount Received	$4,700	$5,000	$5,550
  	Percent Used	100%	100%	100%
  Total	Lifetime Eligibility Used - LEU*	350%	300%	400%

  *Note: From 2009-20 through 2010-11, it was possible for a student to receive up to two scheduled awards in a year. So some students will have a "percent used" of up to 200% for one or more of those years.

  Of course, if a student’s LEU equals or exceeds 600%, the student may no longer receive Pell Grant funding. Similarly, a student whose LEU is greater than 500% but less than 600%, while eligible for a Pell Grant for the next award year, will not be able to receive a full scheduled award.

  How can I see my Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU) percentage?

  To view your LEU, you may log on to Studentaid.gov using your FSA ID. The LEU will be found on your dashboard when you sign in, under "My Aid".  If you click "View Details", you will be able to view your loan history and grant Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU) for your loans and grants by clicking on the Loans and Grants tabs under "My Aid".  

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  Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant

  The Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG) is a form of federally funded gift aid. To be eligible, students must be U.S. citizens, undergraduate candidates seeking a first bachelor's degree, and demonstrate exceptional need. This program gives priority to students who receive Federal Pell Grant and is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Annual awards range from $100 - $4000. Students must complete a FAFSA each year to determine eligibility.

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  Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship

  Under the Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship Act, a Pell-eligible student whose parent or guardian died in the line of duty while performing as a public safety officer is eligible to receive a maximum Pell Grant for the award year. To qualify for this scholarship, a student must be Pell-eligible, have a Pell-eligible EFC, and be less than 24 years of age or enrolled at an institution of higher education at the time of his or her parent’s or guardian’s death.

  For purposes of the Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship, a public safety officer is:

  • As defined in section 1204 of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796b); or
  • A fire or police officer is defined as an individual who is serving in accordance with State or local law as an officially recognized or designated member of a legally organized public safety agency and provides scene security or directs traffic in response to any fire drill, fire call, or other fire, rescue, or police emergency, or at a planned special event.

  If a student believes they may be eligible for this grant, please complete the Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship application in addition to the other requirements listed on the form. You can request a copy of the application in the Financial Aid Office found on our Forms webpage.  Please submit the completed application and additional information to the Financial Aid Office.

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  Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant

  The federal government has created the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant to honor those who lost their lives as a member of the U.S. armed forces where the death was a result of military service performed in Iraq or Afghanistan.

  You may be eligible to receive this grant if:

  • you are not eligible for a Federal Pell Grant on the basis of your Expected Family Contribution but

  • meet the remaining Federal Pell Grant eligibility requirements, and

  • your parent or guardian was a member of the U.S. armed forces and died as a result of military service performed in Iraq or Afghanistan after the events of 9/11, and

  • you were under 24 years old or enrolled in college at least part-time at the time of your parent’s or guardian’s death.

State Programs

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  Michigan Tuition Grant or Competitive Scholarship

  The Michigan Tuition Grant or Michigan Competitive Scholarship is a State scholarship or grant that may be awarded to undergraduate students for full-time or part-time (at least half-time) enrollment. This is awarded to students who are and have been Michigan Residents for at least 2 years - parents of dependent students must also meet the residency guidelines. In addition to residency, students must have Detroit Mercy listed as the first choice on their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). They must also show Financial Need (scientific calculation done through FAFSA) and complete their FAFSA by the State of Michigan Deadline.

  Students attending less than full-time receive prorated amounts of the full-time award. These are need-based and may be affected by any other gift aid a student receives.

  These funds are awarded as estimated until we receive final funding from the state and funds will not pay out to the student's account until we have received payment from the State.

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  TIP – Tuition Incentive Program

  This program targets students with financial need, students must also meet a medicaid eligibility history requirement and are encouraged to complete a FAFSA. Students must apply to the State of Michigan prior to high school graduation. The University of Detroit Mercy is a Phase II only school, eligible students must have earned an Associates Degree or 56 college credit hours.

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  Fostering Futures

  The Fostering Futures Scholarship, a State of Michigan program, provides scholarships to young adults who have experienced foster care. The State of Michigan works with individuals, community organizations, and businesses to encourage charitable contributions that go towards Fostering Futures Scholarship funds. Awards are paid directly to the students’ institution to assist with unmet need in one or more of the following categories: tuition and fees, room and board and books and supplies.

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  Children of Veterans Trust

  An undergraduate tuition program for children of certain deceased or disabled members of the United States armed forces. The program is designed to provide undergraduate tuition assistance to certain children older than 16 and less than 26 years of age who have been Michigan residents for the 12 months prior to application. To be eligible, a student must be the natural or adopted child of a Michigan veteran. Stepchildren of the veteran are not eligible. The veteran must have been a legal resident of Michigan immediately before entering military service and must not have later resided outside of Michigan for more than two years; or the veteran must have established legal residency in Michigan after entering military service.

  Students may receive scholarship assistance for up to four academic years for a total of up to $11,200. Awards are for an academic year with the amount determined by the student’s enrollment status. Full-time students can receive up to a maximum of $2,800 per academic year.

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  Michigan Achievement Scholarship

  Students who graduated from high school in Michigan with a diploma or certificate of completion or achieved a high school equivalency certificate in 2023 or after may be eligible for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship. .

  Eligibility requirements

  To be eligible for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship students must:

  • complete a FAFSA,
  • be a Michigan resident since July 1 of the previous calendar year, graduate from a high school in Michigan with a diploma or a certificate of completion or achieved a high school equivalency certificate in 2023 or after,
  • enroll full-time at an eligible institution within 15 months of your high school graduation or equivalency,
  • demonstrate financial need as determined by the State. 

  Maximum award amount is $5,500 annually.

Tuition Discounts

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  Religious Discount

  Persons serving in ministerial capacities, whether ordained or laity, may be eligible for the 50% Religious Discount. Eligibility is limited to religious, clergy, laypersons serving a parish or congregation full-time, enrolled in courses directly related to their ministerial work (ex. Religious Studies). Part-Time and Volunteer students in one of these positions must show evidence of a substantial quantitative and qualitative commitment to their ministerial work.

  In addition, in order be eligible for the Religious Grant you must meet the following:

  • undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in Liberal Arts and Education, Software Engineering, and Science.
  • Students must be charged the standard flat rate tuition or standard per credit hour in order to qualify.
  • Discounted programs do not qualify.

  The discount is not to be combined with any other University aid or tuition discounts. The discount only applies to tuition.

  A new application must be submitted each term by the following deadlines:

  • Fall - October 1
  • Winter - February 1
  • Summer 1 or 3 - June 1
  • Summer 2 - July 1
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  School Educator's Tuition Remission

  A full-time teacher, substitute, administrator, counselor, paraprofessional, teacher's aide or ed-tech, in a public or private educational center, enrolled in a program certifiable or endorsable for teaching by the State of Michigan, can receive a 60% tuition discount.

  This grant is available for undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in programs charged at the rates listed below. Any program that is at a different tuition rate, is not eligible for the discount.

  • 2024-25 Undergraduate: Full-time flat rate per term rate of $16,473 or $17,060 or part-time at $1,234 or $1,332 per credit hour
  • 2024-25 Graduate: $1,857 per credit hour

  A new application must be submitted each term, not more than one month prior to the start of the term, by the following deadlines:

  • Fall - October 1
  • Winter - February 1
  • Summer 1 or 3 - June 1
  • Summer 2 - July 1
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  Vendor Tuition Discount Program

  Current full and part-time employees, their spouses and dependent children, of Primary Vendor Companies of Detroit Mercy are eligible for a 25% discount on tuition.

  This tuition discount is not to be combined with any other Detroit Mercy scholarship, grant, tuition remission, or discount. Students in the Dental Program or at the School of Law are not eligible.

  Students remain eligible as long as they are in good standing, and the employee remains employed at the vendor company. A new application must be submitted each term by the following deadlines:

  • Fall - October 1
  • Winter - February 1
  • Summer 1 or 3 - June 1
  • Summer 2 - July 1

  This grant is available for undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in programs charged at the rates listed below. Any program that is at a different tuition rate, is not eligible for the discount.

  • 2024-25 Undergraduate: Full-time flat rate per term rate of $16,473 or $17,060 or part-time at $1,234 or $1,332 per credit hour
  • 2024-25 Graduate: $1,857 per credit hour

  Primary Vendor Companies

  Primary Vendor Companies 

  Absopure	Alliance Catholic Credit Union	American Axle
  Aramark	Archdiocese of Detroit	Beaumont/Corewell Health System
  Blue Cross/Blue Shield Care: AF Group, COBX. Tessellate, Advantage Solutions. Visitant	Boise Cascade	Chase
  City of Detroit	Coca - Cola	Comerica
  Community Care Services	Continental	Credit Union One
  Delphi	DENSO	Detroit Edison (DTE)
  Detroit Medical Center (DMC)	Enertron	Fiat-Chrysler
  Ford	General Motors Corporation (GM)	Genesys Health System
  GM Financial	HAP	Hatteras
  Henry Ford Health System	Heritage Optical	Hines Interests
  McClaren Hospital	Plante - Moran	Providence/Ascension/St. John Health Systems
  Service Master	State of Michigan	TIAA - CREF
  Trinity/St. Joseph's Mercy/St. Mary's Health Systems	Unisys	U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs
  Wayne County

Student Loan Programs

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  Student Loans

  Detroit Mercy participates in the Federal Direct Student Loan Programs. All Direct Subsidized ,Unsubsidized, PLUS, and Grad PLUS loans will be processed through the Federal Direct Loan Program. A Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be submitted to determine eligibility.

  Private Education Loans, also known as Alternative Education Loans, help bridge the gap between the actual cost of your education and the limited amount the government allows you to borrow in its programs. Private loans are offered by private lenders and there are no federal forms to complete. Eligibility for private student loans often depends on your credit score. Students and families are encouraged to take advantage of all federal and state sources of funding prior to the use of private loans.

  Find More information on the various loan programs , and our Financing Options sheet is a handy reference for the various loan programs available to you.

Student Employment

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  Student Employment Eligibility

  Students will need to follow the steps outlined on the Student Employment page to work at UDM.

  • All students who are permitted to work based on federal regulations have the opportunity for on-campus employment.
  • International students and students participating in the DACA program may be eligible for positions if they have secured work authorization.
  • Students are responsible for securing their own campus jobs. Enrolled students will receive detailed instructions to search for and apply for jobs.
  • All student employment opportunities are posted on Handshake.
  • ​Students are not to exceed 20 hours of work per week in all jobs combined
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  Federal Work-Study

  Federal Work-Study is a need-based program funded by the U.S. Department of Education.  In order to be eligible a student must:

  • Be a degree-seeking student at UDM
  • Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
  • Meet financial aid satisfactory academic progress standards
  • Qualify for federal financial aid based on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  • Have remaining financial need, considering any scholarships, grants, and loans awarded and accepted

  Participation in the work-study program is optional. A work-study offer does not guarantee employment. A student must obtain their work-study packet authorizing them to work and secure a work-study job by the deadline (contact Financial Aid for deadline dates). Job postings may be found on HandShake..

  College work-study earnings do not qualify for unemployment under the Michigan Employment Security Commission.

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  Detroit Mercy Non-Work Study

  The University of Detroit Mercy offers Non-Work Study employment as well. These positions are similar to federal work-study although the student is not required to demonstrate need through the FAFSA. In addition, international students are also eligible to work in institutional work-study positions with some limitations. Availability varies by individual department.