Requirements
General Entrance Requirements
Students who apply for admission to Loras College are considered on the basis of probable success, determined by academic coursework and achievement in secondary school, aptitude scores, references and other relevant information.
Loras evaluates admission applications throughout the year for fall semester or spring semester entrance. When all materials required for admission have been received, the application will then be reviewed. Applicants are notified of the decision on a rolling basis. Students accepted to Loras usually are graduates of a state-accredited high school and have completed a college preparatory curriculum. Recommended study includes:
- Four years of English
- Three years of mathematics
- Three years of natural science
- Three years of social science
- Two years of additional academic courses (foreign language, additional natural science courses, etc.)
Generally, Loras College accepts students on the basis of six semesters of high school work with a cumulative high school grade point average of at least a 2.500 on a 4.000 scale. All incoming students must send a final high school transcript certifying their graduation to the Office of Admission prior to enrollment. All applicants are also required to submit an ACT or SAT test score. A minimum ACT composite score of 20 or a minimum SAT score of 1030 is required for admission.
Some academic programs have specific requirements that will be evaluated during the student’s declaration of major. There is no guarantee of admittance to any specific program of study.
Students who do not meet minimum admission requirements may be considered by the Admission Director on an individual basis. Students may be asked to submit seventh or eighth semester grades as well as a personal statement and letters of recommendation. The review process will also take into consideration various high school’s approaches to grading during COVID-19. Students who do not have a high school diploma must present the results of the GED exam, submit an ACT or SAT test score (unless the student has been out of high school five years or more), and submit a high school transcript(s) with all previous work. These standards do not apply to transfer students with a GED or who have successfully completed more than 14 semester credit hours of college work. Students transferring to Loras College should follow the guidelines for transfer student admission.
Loras College reserves the right to cancel the registration of any student who fails to fulfill properly and promptly all requirements for admission and registration, including any conditions specified for admission or readmission in individual cases.
Division & Program Entrance Requirements
All students accepted for general admission to Loras College are responsible for providing appropriate materials and meeting requirements of the program/division in which they choose to major. Contact the Division or Program chair for information about additional requirements.
Application Procedure
First Year Students
First-time applicants to Loras College must forward the following items to the Office of Admission:
- A completed Loras College Application for Admission
- Official high school transcript(s) or GED certificate
- Pending a student’s cumulative GPA, an official score report from one of the following tests:
- American College Test (ACT)
- Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
- Personal statement (optional, or by request of the Admission Director)
- Letter(s) of recommendation (optional, or by request of the Admission Director)
Transfer Students
Loras College welcomes the application of qualified students from accredited colleges or universities. Transfer applicants may be admitted to Loras if they present evidence of at least a 2.500 cumulative GPA (on a 4.000 scale) from the last college or university in which they were enrolled. College-level coursework that is comparable to the Loras College curriculum requirements and in which a minimum grade of “C” was earned is transferable to Loras. Students who do not meet the minimum transfer requirements may be reviewed by the Admission Director on an individual basis.
The transfer applicant must submit the following to the Office of Admission:
- A completed Loras College Application for Admission
- Official academic transcript(s) from each college/university attended
- Official Financial Aid Transcript (FAT) from each college/university attended
- Official high school transcript(s) with graduation date or GED certificate
- Personal statement (optional, or by request of the Admission Director)
- Letter(s) of recommendation (optional, or by request of the Admission Director)
It should be noted that transfer students who do not submit all official transcripts will be blocked from registering for their second term until such time as official transcripts are received.
Transfer applicants will receive an unofficial credit evaluation of previous college coursework at the time of acceptance. Students should contact their Admissions Representative for more information.
International Students
English Language Proficiency
Loras College requires international students to demonstrate a minimum level of English proficiency for undergraduate study.
Applicants for undergraduate programs must complete the College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile and submit one of the official test scores or documents listed below:
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
- Internet-based test - score of 80 or higher
- Paper-based test - score of 550 or higher
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
- SAT: 500 or higher on evidence-based Reading and Writing sections
- ACT: 21 or higher on both English and Reading sections
- AP Exam: 4 or higher in English Literature/Composition exams
- Transfer of 28 credits or more from an accredited U.S. college or university, with the equivalent of L.ENG-LIB 105 College Writing (a grade of B or above) and a cumulative GPA of 2.500 or higher
- Evidence that the dominant language of instruction for secondary school coursework was in English.
Proficiency scores must be sent directly to Loras College from the testing center and must not be more than 2 years old. The applicant’s file is not considered complete without the test scores.
Credit Evaluation for College Coursework Completed Outside the U.S.
All international undergraduate applicants seeking credit for college level coursework must order a foreign credential evaluation report showing the credential evaluation report and the United States equivalency for the college coursework. Loras College accepts evaluations directly from either Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (https://www.ece.org/ECE) or Foreign Credits, Inc. (https://www.foreigncredits.com/). This evaluation will assist our Admission Office, advisors, and registrar in helping applicants meet their educational goals.
Applicants should contact Undergraduate Admissions if they have already received a foreign credential evaluation report from an organization other than ECE or Foreign Credits.
If admitted, international students will be required to complete Loras College’s Certification of Finances Form and submit a copy of their passport photo in order to start the I-20 process.
Returning Students
Any previously enrolled student who has been away from Loras College for more than one semester who wishes to return to Loras to complete his/her bachelor’s degree must apply for readmission. Students participating in a Loras-approved foreign study semester are not required to apply for readmission.
All application materials must be on file in the Office of the Registrar at least 10 business days prior to the start of the term to be considered for readmission for that term. Returning students must submit the following materials to the Office of the Registrar:
- A completed Loras College Application for Readmission https://myweb.loras.edu/Loras/PDF/RegistrarReadmit.pdf
- An official academic transcript(s) from each college/university attended since withdrawal from Loras
- Personal statement addressing the reasons for seeking readmission
The application materials may be submitted to the Office of the Registrar in one of the following ways:
- In person at Room 121, Keane Hall, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- By mail: Office of the Registrar, Mail #1, Loras College, 1450 Alta Vista Street, Dubuque, IA 52001
- By email: Send as a “pdf” attachment to registrar@loras.edu
Previous admission is not a guarantee of readmission. In select cases, the student may be asked to provide additional information or to schedule a personal interview. Any student who has been away from Loras College for less than one semester should contact the Registrar at 121 Keane Hall or by calling 563-588-7106.
Second Major Policy
A person with a bachelor’s degree from Loras College may not apply for an additional major and have that major added to his/her transcript after a degree has been conferred. Students who already hold a bachelor’s degree from any institution may seek admission as a Second Degree Student (see Second Degree Students under Admission Policy).
Second Degree Students
A student who possesses a bachelor’s degree from another accredited institution and wishes to enroll at Loras to pursue an additional degree may seek admission as a Second Degree Student. Students who already hold a bachelor’s degree from Loras College may not pursue a second degree of the same type (B.A. or B.S.) at Loras College.
Requirements for admission:
- A completed Loras College Application for a Second Degree https://myweb.loras.edu/Loras/PDF/SecondDegreeApplication.pdf
- A nonrefundable application fee
- Official transcript of previous degree(s) received.
Submit the application materials to the Office of the Registrar by one of the following methods:
- In person, to Room 121 Keane Hall between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
- By fax to Office of the Registrar, (563) 588-4962
- By U.S. post to Office of the Registrar, Mail #1, Loras College, 1450 Alta Vista St., Dubuque, IA 52001
All application materials must be on file in the Office of the Registrar at least 10 days prior to the start of the term to be considered for admission for that term.
Requirements for degree:
- Be admitted to Loras College
- Be accepted as a major
- Earn at least 30 credit hours in residence at Loras College
- Fulfill all of the requirements for the major. If previous courses satisfy some of the major requirements, the division will designate courses from other areas that will enhance the major
A holder of a B.A. or B.S. degree from another accredited institution is considered to have satisfied all the Loras general education requirements.
Special Students
A Special Student is any student who is not pursuing a degree, as well as any student who is 16 years of age or older, but has not yet obtained their high school diploma. Students under the age of 16 are not admitted to Loras College.
Students pursuing admission as a special student must submit:
- A completed Loras College Special Student application. The application can be downloaded using the following web link: https://myweb.loras.edu/Loras/PDF/SpecialRegistrationForm.pdf
- A nonrefundable application fee
- Transcript or statement of good academic and social standing from the last school attended (for undergraduates)
- Transcripts from all institutions attended
Students will be notified by the Registrar’s Office when they can register.
A special student who has not received a bachelor’s degree is limited to attendance in a single term and a maximum of 11 credits. Any student who wishes to enroll in an additional term or exceed 11 credits may not register for courses until he/she has reapplied to the college and has been accepted as a degree seeking student.
A special student who is pursuing coursework beyond the bachelor’s degree has no restrictions on the number of terms or credits in which he/she may enroll.
Special students are not eligible for financial aid or participation in January term courses. Once a student applies and is admitted to the college as degree seeking, the student may apply for financial aid and is eligible to enroll in January term courses.
St. Pius X Seminary Program
St. Pius X Seminary is associated with Loras College and operated under the auspices of the Archdiocese of Dubuque. The seminary provides a full undergraduate education and preparation for theological seminary. In addition, it provides a pre-theology program for participants who have already acquired a bachelor’s but do not have the academic background required for admission to a theological seminary (pre-theologians are eligible to earn a second undergraduate degree from Loras with the completion of the philosophy major). Both programs follow the guidelines set out by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in the Program of Priestly Formation, 5th ed. (2006). In the terminology of that document, St. Pius X Seminary is a collaborative diocesan seminary.
The seminary provides a coordinated program to meet the needs of participants in five principal areas: human formation, spiritual formation, intellectual formation, pastoral formation, and community life. All aspects of formation converge on a common mission: enabling candidates to reach an appropriate level of readiness to participate fruitfully and successfully in priestly formation at the theologate level.
A student who plans to enter major seminary after graduation from Loras is expected to include in his academic program 30 credits in Philosophy, including the following courses:
- Philosophy:
- Religious Studies and Theology:
- 12 cr. - Elective; selected with the advice of a seminary faculty member
A reading knowledge of Latin and Greek is not an entrance requirement for most theological seminaries. However, most do require such knowledge for all M.A. candidates and strongly suggest that these languages be studied at the undergraduate level.
Tuition and Fees
Payment of Fees
Tuition and fees for the current academic year are available at: http://www.loras.edu/financial-aid/.
Specific information on the fees and refund policy associated with January term are available at http://www.loras.edu/academics/januaryterm/january-term-details/. January term courses have separate policies for schedule changes and refunds.
All fees are billed by the term and become an obligation at the time of registration for that term. Statements will be published online for all registered students in early July for the fall term, early December for the January and Spring terms, and in early May for the summer term. By registering for classes, the student is automatically enrolled in a monthly installment payment plan for the fall and spring terms. Continued enrollment at Loras College is conditioned on the acceptance and understanding of the Terms and Conditions of the payment plan. It is important that the student understand the Terms and conditions which apply to the payment plan and agree to be bound by the terms. To view the terms and conditions statement for the payment plan, visit the online student account system, select Installment Payment Plan Details, View Agreement. Payment of all charges not covered by financial aid or loans is due by August 15 for the fall semester, December 15 for the spring semester (includes January term fees), and June 15 for the summer term. Loras College also offers an option of paying in four installments per semester during the fall and spring semesters. Details about the payment plan option are sent to registered students in July and November each year. A $50 nonrefundable service charge is assessed each month to those who do not fulfill their monthly payment requirement.
Section 103 Compliance Policy
Loras College abides by Section 103 of the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018. In the case where a student is a Chapter 31 or Chapter 33 student and his/her tuition funds are paid by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the College will abide by the following guidelines:
Loras College will not impose any penalty including: 1) the assessment of late fees; 2) the denial of access to classes; 3) libraries or other institutional facilities and /or 4) the requirements that a Chapter 31 or Chapter 33 recipient borrow additional funds to cover the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to institution due to the delayed disbursement of a payment by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Student Account Refund Policy:
Once registered at Loras College, a student assumes the responsibility for the payment of all tuition and fees. If plans change and the student needs to withdraw from the College, the proper paperwork must be completed with the Academic Success Coordinator. The process for officially withdrawing from Loras College is outlined in the current Undergraduate Bulletin and Graduate Bulletin. Students should refer to the bulletin that is appropriate for their status.
An undergraduate or graduate student who withdraws from Loras College may receive a full or partial refund (credit) for tuition, fees, housing, and meal plan. Students who drop a course during the first week of the fall and spring terms will receive a 100% refund of tuition and course fees. Students who drop at any time after week one are subject to the following refund schedule:
Week 2- 75%
Week 3- 50%
Week 4- 25%
Week 5- No Refund
Students who withdraw during the summer term are refunded on the following refund schedule:
Class Day 1- 100%
Class Day 2- 75%
Class Day 3- 50%
Class Day 4- 25%
Class Day 5- No Refund
Students who withdraw during the January term are subject to the j-term policy which can be found at http://www.loras.edu/academics/januaryterm/january-term-details/.
All students should take particular note that tuition charges create a personal debt to the College. Students receiving financial aid should be aware that, although the tuition charges are incurred upon enrollment, a student who withdraws at any point during the year is subject to a reduction in financial aid in accordance with the governing policies of the individual aid program. Thus, a student who withdraws from the College before the financial aid is fully earned may incur personal liability for unpaid tuition and other related charges. In addition, full-time students should be aware that a change to part-time status during the semester after the add/drop period will not result in a reduction of the semester’s tuition and fees. Before adding or dropping a course or registering for fewer than 12 credits, full-time students should consult with the Office of Financial Planning to determine the effect on their financial aid awards, and with the Student Accounts Director to determine the effect on their student account balance. Students who received financial assistance for their enrollment period will have their financial aid revised according to federal, institutional, organizational and/or state regulations and/or policies associated with the funding type received. The withdrawal date recorded on the student’s official Loras College record will be determined by the Registrar’s Office using the date the student provided official notification, in writing, of their intent to withdraw from Loras College. An unofficial withdrawal occurs when a student leaves the College without notice. For unofficial withdrawals, the student’s last date of attendance in a class will be used to determine the official withdrawal date.
Room and Board Adjustments:
Students who move in, but withdraw from school on or before the first day of class, will be charged 5% of the cost of room and board. Students who are still enrolled but are allowed to move off campus or drop a meal plan will have charges adjusted on the same percentage basis as is used for students withdrawing from school. If a student terminates a housing contract after taking residence, the student is responsible for buying out the remainder of the contract at 50% of remaining costs. This does not apply to first year students. Students leasing houses or apartments will be bound by the terms of their lease so the refund schedule is not applicable.
Military Withdrawal and Refund Policy:
Students or their spouse, when either has a dependent child, called to active duty during a current academic term will be withdrawn from all or a portion of the student’s registration and will receive a full refund of tuition and mandatory fees the school has assessed for courses from which the student withdrew. The student must make arrangements with the Registrar’s Office for grades or for incomplete grades that will be completed at a later date. For those courses unable to be continued at a later date, students will have no negative academic or financial consequences as a result of this withdrawal. While military students are enrolled at Loras College they are not assessed monthly service charges for delayed VA payments. The Office of Financial Planning will do all it can within the defined limits of Federal Regulations to benefit the student’s financial aid status. Any textbooks purchased from the Loras College Barnes and Noble bookstore can be returned for a refund as long as they are in sellable condition.
In some cases, a student may have a Business Office Registration Hold based on the following:
- Fall Registration Hold - This hold will take effect when registering in the spring for the coming fall semester. All students must have a balance of $500.00 or less in order to register from one year to the next. If the student’s balance is not below the $500 minimum, ALL registrations will be CANCELLED, including classes, housing, meal plan and any/all other college registrations.
- Spring Registration Hold - For the fall to spring registration, the College does not generally require a fully paid bill; however, if no payments have been made to that date or a significant outstanding balance exists, the College reserves the right to hold the student’s registration for the upcoming term.
Students who have a delinquent account or are not current on their payment plan (for registered students) may not obtain a transcript or a diploma until the account is paid in full. Also, transcripts will not be issued to a student if the student is in default on loans.
For further information about the tuition, fees and refund policy please contact the Director of Student Accounts in the Business Office.
Insurance
Loras College does not carry insurance on personal property of faculty members, students or workers, and is not responsible for the loss or damage of such property. All students participating in study abroad trips sponsored by Loras College are required to have accident and health insurance coverage, which is normally purchased by the College on behalf of participants.
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