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Students can receive financial aid in the form of awards and scholarships, federal and state grants, loans, and student employment. In recent years, 99 percent of freshmen qualified for financial assistance from Mercyhurst, with the average four-year scholarship totaling more than $70,000  Transfer students are also eligible for a number of awards or scholarships. 

In order to qualify for Mercyhurst University financial aid, you must include us on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by using school code 003297, which we will then use to create your financial aid package. This information will also be used to determine your eligibility for state and institutional aid, and some private financial aid providers may use your FAFSA information to determine whether you qualify for their aid.

You can learn more about Mercyhurst’s financial aid opportunities on our Cost and Aid webpage. 

Thanks to Mercyhurst's flexible REACH Curriculum, the majority of the college and university credits that students have already earned — through undergraduate studies, dual enrollment, or testing — will fulfill core requirements for our degree programs. Generally, students must score a 4 or 5 on their AP exams or a 5, 6, or 7 on their IB exams to receive university credits. Once you've officially confirmed your enrollment at Mercyhurst, you'll be able to send in your scores and receive your credits! 

For students transferring from a community or junior college, Mercyhurst will accept a maximum of 60 transfer credits, while students enrolling from four-year colleges or universities can transfer up to 90 credits; in general, the credits earned for courses in which students have received a grade of “C” or higher will transfer to Mercyhurst.

Traditional freshmen have a choice between three residence halls – Baldwin, McAuley, and Warde. Warde Hall, our newest freshmen residence hall, is a co-ed residence hall, with specific wings for males and females. Baldwin Hall is a female-only residence hall and McAuley Hall is a male-only residence hall. For more detailed information about our freshman residence halls, including layouts, videos, and packing suggestions, visit our Freshman Housing webpage. 

Upperclassmen housing (for non-freshmen transfers), includes our newest suite-style residence hall Ryan Hall, Duval apartments, Briggs and Lewis apartments, Wayne Street apartments, and three sets of townhouses (Warde, Lewis, and 41st Street).

The HurstBound Facebook group and Orientation programming are great ways to meet your fellow classmates and find prospective roommates! 

First-year students are able to list their desired roommate on their housing contract (available on your Admissions Portal after officially confirming your enrollment). To actually be assigned housing with this roommate, they must list you on their housing contract as well. If you do not indicate a preferred roommate, Residence Life will randomly pair you with one who meets the roommate criteria on your housing contract as closely as possible.

All residential Mercyhurst students will receive an unlimited meal plan as part of our blended room and board rate, meaning you'll be able to take advantage of all-you-care-to-eat dining during all of your years at MU. Our primary buffet-style dining venues, Grotto Commons and the 501 Grille, offer a vast array of food, ranging from home-style cooking to global cuisine.

To supplement your dining experience, Mercyhurst also offers a number of retail venues, combining made-to-order stations, prepackaged goods, bottled beverages, and coffee bars. The Roost, located in the Herrmann Student Union, is our Irish-style campus pub, offers a unique restaurant dining experience, while serving up campus favorites. The Roost Express, located adjacent to The Roost, is a mobile dining venue which offers breakfast and lunch on the go. Anchor Express, located in Ryan Hall, provides convenient grab-and-go food and grocery items, along with Starbucks, personal pizzas and deli items, and a full Mexican station with tacos, bowls, and burritos. The Bookstore Café serves up Starbucks, pastries, and to go items!

You can learn more abour our food options on our Dining Services webpage.  

As a new student at Mercyhurst, your academic counselor will create you a course schedule before you begin your first semester. You'll receive a copy of your schedule as part of Orientation, and will be able to request an appointment with your academic counselor to review or change your course schedule. In future semesters, you will meet with your faculty advisor each semester to review your degree progress and plan your upcoming courses. 

Orientation programming will take place in the months preceding your start of classes at Mercyhurst. The Orientation experience will comprise both in-person and virtual activities, and allow new students to learn more about their academic career, have meetings with advisors and counselors, review their fall course schedule, ask questions, and meet their future classmates! Be sure to keep an eye on your Admissions Portal to sign up and participate in Orientation! 

Move-in day typically takes place the weekend before classes begin in the fall semester. First-year students have their own designated day to move in to allow for an easy and efficient first college moving experience!

New Student Welcome consists of a variety of events in the timeframe between Move-In Day and the start of fall classes, designed to get you ready for life at the Hurst! You'll have the opportunity to attend informative and engaging speaker sessions, bond with your Laker Leaders, attend a hypnotist show, and win big at Casino Night!

At Mercyhurst, we take pride in our long history and cherished traditions. From our annual SpringFest concert, to Homecoming bonfire and tailgate, to a surprise day of no classes filled with fun activities on Hurst Day, Mercyhurst has no shortage of exciting ways for you to become a part of our community! You can learn more about all of the traditions that enrich life at Mercyhurst via our Laker Traditions webpage.

With more than 80 student clubs and organizations at Mercyhurst, you’ll find no shortage of ways to engage and get involved! Our clubs categorized by academics, recreation, service, and cultural/diversity, are always looking for new members. If you don't see the club you're interested in, you're also able to establish one of your own with funding from Mercyhurst Student Government. To learn more getting involved, visit our Clubs and Organizations webpage. 

All students can apply for a variety of on-campus employment opportunities during their time at Mercyhurst. Students can receive a part-time work study if they are eligible for a federal work study position through their financial aid package. By seeking on-campus employment, you will have the opportunity to work closely with Mercyhurst faculty and staff to build relations and gain experience, all without ever leaving campus! 

Freshman students are normally not permitted to have a car on campus. Exceptions can be requested in cases of employment or medical issues that require transport. To request an exception, please email reslife@mercyhurst.edu. All students have free access to Erie's public transportation system with their Mercyhurst ID card.

All upperclassmen are permitted to have cars on campus but are required to a buy a parking pass.

International students should work with our International Student Office (who can be reached at iso@mercyhurst.edu) to obtain the appropriate immigration paperwork and complete a successful visa interview at your local U.S. embassy or consulate.