Starting the Financial Aid Process

Wondering how you’re going to pay for your education? You’re not alone. At Gwynedd Mercy University, we’re committed to making the financial aid process as easy to navigate as possible. That way, you can feel confident that a Gwynedd Mercy University education is within your reach.

Qualifying for Financial Aid

Yes, it's true — 100 percent of our first-time, full-time students received some form of financial aid in 2021-2022. While part-time students taking at least six credit hours per semester may be considered for state and federal aid funds, institutional aid is reserved for full-time undergraduate students seeking their first bachelor's degree. Institutional scholarships are offered to both qualifying incoming freshmen and transfer students.

Applying for Aid

FAFSA Filing Deadlines for 2022-2023 Academic Year Applicants

Priority deadlines and funding are only applicable to traditional undergraduate students.

• December 1: Priority Deadline for new students seeking a Presidential or Cristo Rey Scholarship
• February 15 (extended from January 15): Priority Deadline for all other new students. First-time students who submit their FAFSA by this date will be eligible to receive a renewable $1,000 FAFSA submission grant.
• March 15 (extended from February 15): Deadline for transfer students seeking our $1,000 Transfer Opportunity Program (TOP) Grant, see details here for applying 
• March 15: Priority Deadline for returning students
• May 1: Final deadline for filing the FAFSA if you're interested in receiving a Pennsylvania State Grant

In order for GMercyU to provide you with a financial aid package, you will need to include our FAFSA code on your FAFSA submission.

GMercyU's School code is: 003270

Note: If you are not planning to file the FAFSA, please complete a FAFSA waiver as soon as possible. The waiver is available on the Self Service Portal — once you've logged in, click the "Financial Aid" tile. (If you've been accepted to GMercyU, you will have access to the Self Service Portal.) That way we can issue a financial aid offer letter that includes any institutional merit or other scholarship aid offered to you, along with your cost of attendance.

Step 2

Please log into the Self Service Portal (click the "Financial Aid" tile) and upload all request documentation — for example, federal tax returns or W-2 forms.

IMPORTANT TIP: Most communication will be sent to the email address provided on your FAFSA. Please check that email regularly so you can respond to questions and/or requests for additional documentation. Once students are formally enrolled at the university, all communication will be through your GMercyU email account.

Step 3

Submit the FERPA consent form (PDF), which gives us permission to speak with specific people regarding your financial aid.

Step 4

When your financial aid offer is ready, you will be notified via email. Then, please review and accept your financial aid offer on the Self Service Portal.  Here is How to Accept Your Aid on the Portal (PDF). Be sure to download a copy for your records, and please read our financial aid terms and conditions (PDF).

While our financial aid staff is available to answer any questions you may have along the way, we can’t evaluate and issue a package based on an incomplete application. Please be sure to provide all the documentation requested. And please don't hesitate to ask questions about any of the four steps above. We would love to help you — contact us!

FAFSA Verification

If you were selected to undergo the federal verification process, you can find all appropriate verification documentation on the Self Service Portal (click the “Financial Aid” tile).

Requested tax documentation – such as W-2(s), IRS tax return transcripts, etc – can be found on IRS.gov.

If you have any questions regarding the verification requirements, please contact us! We’re ready to help you.

Understanding Your Aid Offer

A typical undergraduate financial aid package includes:

• Grants or scholarships — money you do not need to pay back
• A low-interest student loan that you will need to pay back after you leave college
• Campus employment (up to 15 hours per week)

Undergraduates will likely receive the same amount all four years as long as you reapply for financial aid annually, you continue to meet all conditions of the offer, and your financial need remains essentially unchanged.

If you have any questions about your offer, please contact us! And remember, not all financial aid is created equal. If you’re comparing one school’s offer to another school’s offer, make sure you are comparing apples to apples. If you have questions, we are here to help.

Federal Direct Loan Recipients

If you are receiving Federal Direct Loans for the first time, you must complete the entrance counseling and master promissory note before you can receive loan funds.

Covering Any Out-of-Pocket Expenses

Please reference this Closing the Gap brochure for more alternative financing information.

Contact Us

Main Campus Undergraduate and Graduate students

Email: FinancialAid@gmercyu.edu
Phone: 215-646-7300 ext. 21216
Fax: 215-641-5556
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Mailing address:
Gwynedd Mercy University
ATTN: Student Financial Aid Office
1325 Sumneytown Pike
P.O. Box 901
Gwynedd Valley, PA 19437

Online/Accelerated (Non-Term) Undergraduate and Graduate Students

Email: NonTermAid@gmercyu.edu
Phone: 877-499-6333, x 21080 (toll-free)
Fax: 215-542-5790
Hours: Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Mailing address:
Gwynedd Mercy University
ATTN: Student Financial Aid Office—Non-Term Programs
1325 Sumneytown Pike
P.O. Box 901
Gwynedd Valley, PA 19437