Reference Guide

The academic scholarship program at University of Dayton offers generous financial awards for academic excellence, leadership qualities, or specific talents. Eligibility for these awards, and all forms of financial aid, requires that you meet the minimum requirements for Satisfactory Academic Progress. Examples of institutional scholarships include:

• Trustees' Merit Scholarship*
• President's Merit Scholarship*
• Deans' Merit Scholarship*
• Father Chaminade Award*
• Transfer Scholarships*
• Athletic Scholarships - Renewability determined by the athletic department
• Talent Award - Visual arts and music - requires program participation for renewal
• Study Abroad Scholarship - We'll help you expand your perspective and stand out in the global marketplace through education abroad. You can take advantage of our unique opportunity to learn overseas through select programs for an entire semester at no additional cost. We encourage you to contact our office prior to deciding which program to participate in to review total cost and aid eligibility. Students entering prior to the 2021-22 academic year are eligible for a $3,000 study abroad scholarship if participating in a UD Faculty Led summer study abroad program for a minimum of 9 credit hours.
• Textbook Scholarship - Incoming students who make an official campus visit and file the FAFSA will receive the university's textbook scholarship. This award will provide up to $500 each semester toward the rental of textbooks when rented through the University Bookstore. Students may be ineligible for the Textbook Scholarship if receiving a book stipend from another agency that is equal to or greater than the university’s award.

*Upon admission to University of Dayton, we communicated a 3.0 GPA requirement for UD merit scholarship renewal. After a close review of this policy, this requirement has been removed for future renewal of these scholarships. We encourage students to work closely with their academic advisor to successfully progress towards successful degree completion. The policy change will not affect UD’s overall academic standards, including academic probation, review of federal satisfactory academic progress, and requirements for certain majors or graduation.

Note: There are some scholarships that will continue to have a GPA requirement based on requirements that may exist (ex. donor-funded scholarships).  

Grants, like scholarships, are gift aid - financial aid that is not repayable. Generally, grant amounts are based on financial need, cost of attendance, and enrollment status. Should any of these things change throughout the year, your eligibility for grants will be re-evaluated. There are several sources of grant funding, including federal, state, and institutional.

• Pell Grant - Eligibility is determined by the U.S. Department of Education and awarded to students who demonstrate the highest financial need. Students must file the FAFSA each year to be considered.
• Supplement Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) - Eligibility is determined by the U.S. Department of Education and awarded to students who demonstrate the highest financial need. Students must file the FAFSA each year to be considered.
• Ohio College Opportunity Grant - Recipients must be first-time college students who meet the residency requirements for Ohio. Students must file the FAFSA each year to be considered.
• Grants from other states - Residents of other states are encouraged to apply to the appropriate state agency for any awards that may be used at University of Dayton. Recipients should notify the Office of Financial Aid regarding the value of awards received so an adjustment can be made to your award package, if necessary.
• Forever Flyer Grant* - This grant is funded by the University of Dayton and is awarded based on a financial need as determined by the FAFSA. This award may be adjusted throughout the academic year if additional university awards are received by the student. Students must file the FAFSA each year to be considered.
• UD Dependent of Employee Tuition Remission - Employees of the University of Dayton and their dependents are eligible to receive consideration for this award. The value is based on employment status and the employee's length of service. To receive the benefit, the eligible employee is required to submit the Tuition Remission Application through Human Resources annually. This award will replace other university aid and may impact one's eligibility for student loans. Students receiving the equivalency of 95% tuition benefit in UD funded aid are not eligible for the Textbook Scholarship program.
• Tuition Exchange - If selected for this program, this award will replace other university aid and may reduce one's eligibility for student loans.

*Awards require full-time enrollment

Families like the convenience of spreading each semester's remaining balance due out over four monthly payments during the term.

Students who apply for financial aid by completing the FAFSA are eligible for federal loans to meet a portion of their educational costs. Loans, however, are optional and may be declined if other sources of funding are used to pay for your educational expenses.

Federal Direct Loan

The Federal Direct Student Loan (.pdf) program offers both a need-based (Subsidized) and a non-need-based (Unsubsidized) loan. Using the results of your FAFSA, the university determines your eligibility.

You will need to accept, reduce, or decline your loan. If you choose to accept your loan(s), the U.S. Department of Education will serve as your lender. They will approve your loan and forward your loan proceeds directly to University of Dayton each semester.

The Federal Direct Student Loan program benefits include low, fixed interest rates that do not depend on your credit score and that do not require a cosigner because they are guaranteed by the federal government. In addition, repayment is not required while you are enrolled at least half-time.

Federal Direct PLUS Loan

The Federal Direct PLUS Loan (.pdf) is a federally guaranteed loan program for parents or guardians of dependent students designed to help families meet their educational expenses. Eligibility for the PLUS Loan is based upon a credit review of the borrower.

The student must be enrolled at least half-time in a degree or certification program and, along with the borrower, must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen to qualify.

Applicants may borrow up to the full cost of attendance minus other assistance during an academic year. Your loan will have a fixed interest rate and interest will begin to accrue after disbursement of the loan.

The first monthly payment of principal and interest is due within 60 days of the loan being fully disbursed, although parents do have the option to defer payments until 6 months after graduation. There is an origination fee deducted from the loan at the time of disbursement and funds are disbursed directly to the university.

Private Loans

Educational loans from private lenders are also available for students. Students are encouraged to apply with a credit-worthy co-signer in order to take advantage of the lowest interest rate possible.

Like the Direct PLUS Loan, a student can borrow up to the remaining cost of attendance for the year. Depending on your credit history, private student loan rates can be fixed or variable. In most cases, repayment is deferred while the student is enrolled at least half-time and the funds are disbursed directly to the university. We provide you with the names of some of the programs/lenders our students are currently using on our loans page.

Every student is eligible for part-time employment during the school year. Employment opportunities are optional and not guaranteed. Students who wish to pursue employment will receive information in mid-August from Career Services explaining the application process. The pay rate begins at Ohio's current minimum wage rate and there are approximately 32 weeks in the aid year for earning potential.

Students are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and up to 40 hours per week during vacation periods. There are two funding avenues used for student employment: Federal Work Study and University Funded Employment.

Federal Work Study

Federal Work Study funds are made available in part by the U.S. Department of Education and are awarded by University of Dayton to students demonstrating the highest financial need.

University Funded Employment

University Funded Employment is a non-need-based program and does not require the FAFSA be filed.

Students will see an amount listed for one of these programs in their financial aid award package. This number (i.e. $2,400) is representative of what a student might make in their job if they were to work approximately 10 hours per week. Students receive a paycheck twice per month based on the hours worked. Students will follow the schedule outlined by the individual employer to earn these funds.

To be eligible for employment, students must be registered for six or more credit hours per semester and be eligible to work in the United States.

As scholarships funded from sources outside the University of Dayton become known to us, we'll post the opportunities on our External Scholarships page. Students can view these awards to determine eligibility and apply.

Consideration for financial aid is based on an annual review of the family's financial situation. In order for us to determine your eligibility, you must complete either a new FAFSA or the renewal FAFSA each year. Find more details and other information on our FAFSA page.

Standards of satisfactory academic progress are established to encourage students to successfully complete courses for which financial aid is received and progress toward degree completion. The university will review your progress in May of each year to verify your eligibility for aid for the next academic year. If you are deficient in either the grade point average (GPA) or credit hour completion, you will be marked as "Insufficient Progress" and notified by the end of June.

In order to regain your eligibility, you must improve your cumulative GPA and/or make up the deficient credit hours at your own expense. You may either attend the University of Dayton or another institution provided the credit hours can be transferred back toward your degree and that you do not receive any Federal Title IV Funds while attending that institution.