Loyola University Chicago

Tuesday, August 19, 2008
9:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Crown Center Auditorium & Lobby
Lake Shore Campus

• Graduate School Orientation Schedule

• Graduate Programs Orientations

• Directions

• Graduate Program Director

• LOCUS

• Financial Aid

• Bursar

• Student Health Insurance

• Graduate Student Housing

• Welcome Week Activities

The Graduate School is delighted to welcome you to Loyola University Chicago.  While you probably know that your program offers you many services and resources as you begin your studies, you should also be aware of additional support available to you from other Loyola offices and the Graduate School. 

The Graduate School New Student Orientation is a daylong program where you with all learn more about campus resources and have the opportunity to meet your peers in the incoming class.

At the orientation, you will meet the Graduate School staff and hear from some key departmental offices that can support your scholarly activity and research.  You will also attend the Campus Resource Fair where you can meet representatives from campus departments and gather information from offices that support graduate students.  We will also have time to socialize at an evening boat cruise with all our new students, faculty, and graduate school staff. 

Please RSVP by Tuesday, August 12.

Schedule

Directions

Graduate Program Director

Each Graduate School student has a faculty advisor and a Graduate Program Director (GPD) in his or her selected program or department (in some cases, these may be the same person).  The GPD is your programs central source of basic information about Graduate School procedures, forms, policies and services.  Your GPD is your first point of contact before contacting the Graduate School. Click on the link above to find your GPD.

Your Graduate Program Advisor is an important source of information not only about your degree requirements and about progress in your program, but also about finding other sources of support, information, and mentoring. Make sure to be in touch with your GPD, and any other faculty advisors/mentors you may have.

LOCUS

LOCUS is the online registration system to enroll in courses.  We recommend that you discuss your study plan with your academic advisor or Graduate Program Director prior to registering for classes.  You will need a user name and password to access LOCUS. After you are enrolled in courses, you will be added to the Graduate School’s listserv, where we send out information and announcements throughout the year. 

Financial Aid

Students who are admitted to Loyola University Chicago, have filed a FAFSA listing Loyola's school code, and have received a valid SAR will receive the following award correspondence from the Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA):

Final Award letters are mailed to graduate students after all other required documents are reviewed by OSFA. Final awards can include eligibility for Federal Stafford Loans; academic department scholarships and assistantships when graduate departments have notified OSFA; and other assistance for which OSFA
has received notification. Award notifications to continuing graduate students are sent by email to the student's University email address and the awards are posted for student review in LOCUS.

Revised Award letters are emailed by OSFA to graduate students, as needed, throughout the academic year. Revised Award letters are notifications of a change in your aid resulting from, for example, a change in your enrollment, a request from you to reduce or reject aid, or notification of addition assistance.

For general financial assistance information, contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance at: 773.508.7704 or e-mail: lufinaid@luc.edu.

For more information about graduate student financial assistance, contact a graduate financial assistance counselor at: 773.508.2984 or e-mail: gradfinaid@luc.edu.

Bursar

The Office of the Bursar is responsible for:

• Billing of tuition and fees
• Collecting payments
• Processing refunds

The Bursar's Office can also assist students and their families with payment plan options, account and fee questions, student health insurance, and withdrawal policies and procedures.  Fall Tuition is Due August 5.

Payment Plans

Refunds

Student Health Insurance

Loyola’s Board of Trustees requires that all graduate students enrolled for eight or more credit hours or registered in dissertation or thesis supervision at the start of Fall Semester have individual health care insurance.  If you qualify, you will automatically be enrolled in Loyola’s Health Care Plan for Students and charged $1,515 for coverage from August 1 through July 31.  If you are covered under your parent's medical insurance plan or have an individual policy in place, you must complete an online waiver prior to the deadline to opt out of Loyola’s plan and avoid unwanted charges on your tuition bill.  To submit a waiver or learn more about student health insurance, go to: www.luc.edu/bursar and click on “Student Health Insurance.”

Graduate Student Housing

On Campus

The Department of Residence Life offers on-campus graduate housing in Baumhart Hall at the Water Tower Campus located at 26 E. Pearson St.  Space is limited and is available on first-come first-served basis. 

Off-Campus

For those graduate students who plan to relocate to Loyola’s neighborhood communities Rogers Park or Edgewater, the Department of Community Relations has created an Off Campus Living Guide, which walks you through the Chicago rental process, tenants’ rights and responsibilities and shows you how to get involved with your new community. 

The Department of Community Relations serves as Loyola's official connection between the University and the surrounding neighborhoods of the Lakeshore and Water Tower Campuses.  They work to educate all students about their rights and responsibilities when they rent private apartments in Edgewater and Rogers Park and they mediate situations between students, landlords, and non-student neighbors when necessary.

Welcome Week Activities

7th Annual Glenwood Avenue Arts Festival
FRI-SUN AUGUST 22-24, 2008

Thursday, August 28: Dining on Devon