February 21, 2024

It’s time to start planning for the fall semester. In order to provide your student with the maximum financial support, they need to fill out the FAFSA as soon as possible to ensure prompt processing of their financial aid package. Here are a few important reminders: 

Loyola’s Office of Financial Aid is here to support you through this process and answer any questions. Please reach out to our office by calling 504-865-3231, emailing us at finaid@loyno.edu, or scheduling an appointment. You can also learn more on our FAFSA FAQ page.

The Undergraduate/Graduate Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2024 will take place on May 11 at 10 a.m. For a current listing of commencement-related activities, please visit commencement.loyno.edu. Graduating seniors can order regalia and graduation announcements online.

Grad Fair will take place on March 11–12 in the St. Charles Room of the Danna Center. Graduating seniors who make a class gift of $24 or more will receive maroon and gold philanthropy cords to wear with their regalia. Philanthropy cords can be picked up at the Grad Fair.

Did you know students with 60+ credit hours can purchase a class ring? Be a part of the Loyola tradition and order a class ring today! Please allow 8-10 weeks for the rings to come in. If a student will still be enrolled in the fall, they qualify to participate in the annual Ring Ceremony. Please email Associate Director of Student Life Sydney Begoun at srbegoun@loyno.edu for more information. 

NYC Presidential Reception

Deadline for Summer 2024 study abroad programs in Mexico City, Rome, and Seoul

Grad Fair

Wolf Pack Preview Day for prospective students

Loyola Loyal Day

Alumni Association Jazz Brunch

Easter holiday

Advising starts for summer/fall semesters 

Registration starts for summer/fall semesters 

Final examinations 

Commencement

Summer Session 2024 starts

Your student is invited to a fashion show extravaganza where student peers will showcase the perfect blend of professional style and personal flair. Our models will inspire your student to define their professional wardrobe while staying true to their unique style—all without breaking the bank! Once the fashion show concludes, students can join us for a variety of activities, including:

Be sure to encourage your student to attend on February 22 at 12 p.m. in the St. Charles Room of the Danna Center. 

Is your student looking for full-time employment post-graduation or hoping to secure a summer internship? The New Orleans Collegiate Career Expo Spring 2024 is for them!  This event is open to all college/university students and alumni. The expo will feature local, regional, and national organizations recruiting for hundreds of job and internship opportunities across industries. All majors and years are encouraged to attend. Students can pre-register today in their Handshake accounts! Questions about the event? Email career@loyno.edu.  

The university's annual day of giving will take place Wednesday, March 20, through Thursday, March 21, from noon to noon. Loyola Loyal Day gives alumni, parents, and friends across the country an opportunity to celebrate and support our mission of providing a premier Jesuit education in New Orleans' culture of creativity. Mark your calendars! 

Mariette Thomas, director of the Center for International Education, shares answers to the most common questions about the cost to study abroad.

What are the financial benefits of studying abroad?

Students who have studied abroad have a competitive edge when entering the job market. Employers are looking for applicants who have international experience. With less than 10% of U.S. college students graduating with a study abroad experience, studying abroad is a great way for your student to set themself apart from other applicants post-graduation. A study from the Institute for the International Education of Students found that:

How much do study abroad programs cost?

The cost to study abroad varies widely depending on the program, location, as well as a student's personal expenses. Many semester abroad programs are exchange programs, which means that students pay Loyola tuition and all Loyola scholarships, state aid, and federal aid apply. Loyola also offers fee-based programs. Some programs may be cheaper than a term at Loyola depending on a student's scholarships and financial aid! Loyola summer programs start at just $3,000 for 2 courses (6 credits), and cover all excursions and cultural events associated with the courses, health/medical insurance, and housing.

What kind of financial assistance can students get to study abroad?

For many students, studying abroad is only possible with financial assistance. Each year, Loyola awards scholarships to students who plan to study abroad in our programs. Non-Loyola scholarships are also available. See a list of available scholarships and application deadlines. Of course, students should discuss all financial planning with their financial aid counselor well in advance of applying as well.

It may seem early, but before you know it, the end of the academic year will be upon us. Mark your calendars now – the residential communities close for the academic year on May 10 at 5 p.m. Students will begin receiving details about how to properly depart from their space in late March. In the meantime, here are a few actions parents and caregivers can take now to prepare their student for a hassle-free departure:

By proactively assisting them now, you'll empower your student to conclude the academic year smoothly and embark on the next adventure with confidence. Have questions? Contact Residential Life at 504-865-2445 or reslife@loyno.edu. 

Subscribe to receive the "5 Things to Know This Week" email newsletter sent to all students from the department of Student Life and Ministry. Each week, we highlight important events or deadlines coming up. To subscribe to receive this weekly email, complete this brief form.

Cheer on the Pack and support our scholar athletes by joining the Booster Club! Booster Club members receive exclusive benefits such as Wolf Pack Athletics gear, live-streamed games, and more while advancing our athletic programs and enhancing the scholar athlete experience. By joining at the Maroon level or above, you won’t miss a home game, match, or meet with your season pass. Learn more about membership levels and benefits.

A Message from University Chaplain Thomas Ryan, Ph.D.

“A long loving look at the real” is how Jesuit Fr. Walter Burghardt describes contemplation.This phrase works almost as well for Lent.

Long. Its length from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday seems daunting. But this time also allows us to grow into Lenten practices and grow from them. Loving. Lent urges us to take God’s own perspective, a perspective of merciful love for ourselves, for others, and for all creation. Look. Lent invites us to pay attention–to be on the lookout for the surprising ways that God is present in our world. Real. How astonishing is God’s creation and how astonishing is the extent to which we harm it, ourselves, our neighbors. 

Lent invites a long, loving look at the real and, in light of that, to renew ourselves in ways that align with God’s dreams for us. Lent’s forty days mean we don’t need to succeed immediately. We can take the time necessary to develop practices that will continue to pay dividends beyond Lent and Easter and into ordinary time. 

In addition to all the formal Lenten liturgies, a simple Lenten practice is the daily examen (e.g., here and here). You can also read Burghardt’s essay beginning on page 89 of An Ignatian Spirituality Reader.

The entire Loyola community is invited to join us for this fun, free picnic in observance of the Lenten season. The event will take place on Friday, March 1 in the Peace Quad. 

Join the Loyola community as we reflect on the ways we are invited to draw closer to God each day. Voices from across the university will share how they are inspired and renewed through scripture, and each reflection will include a prompt for your own prayer. Reflections will also be available in Spanish. Subscribe here to receive the daily reflections in English. Suscríbete aquí para recibir las reflexiones diarias en español. Contact Hunter Darrouzet, University Minister, at hrdarrou@loyno.edu with any questions.

The Awakening Retreat is a weekend-long break for students to get off campus and experience the love of God through community. It's a great way to connect with other students and explore their spirituality. The retreat will be held at the beautiful Solomon Episcopal Conference Center in Loranger, LA. Based in our Jesuit, Catholic values, the Awakening Retreat is open to students from all religious and non-religious backgrounds who are looking to make friends and grow in their spirituality. Students should register using this form by February 29.

Iggy's Cupboard serves as our embodiment of the Ignatian principle of care for the whole person by providing essential resources to students experiencing food insecurity. In the spirit of cura personalis, or care for the individual, we recognize the importance of ensuring our students have access to nourishing meals to support their physical, emotional, and academic well-being. How can you contribute to this transformative mission?

Monetary Donations: Your philanthropic gestures can directly impact the lives of students in need. We invite you to contribute.

Amazon Registry: Extend your support by participating in our Amazon Registry. This platform provides a curated list of items needed for Iggy's Cupboard, allowing you to make a tangible difference.

By embodying Jesuit values through your support, you play a crucial role in fostering a campus environment where no student faces the challenges of hunger alone. Together, we can realize the Ignatian vision of forming men and women for and with others.

Students got into the Mardi Gras spirit during the Countdown to Carnival event. 

Students made their own stuffed animals during the popular Bears for Bae event.

Students enjoyed a cookout as part of this year's Homecoming celebration.