This is your step-by-step guide to making a Mercyhurst Prep education affordable for your family.

Families must apply for financial aid annually using the FACTS Grant & Aid Application. This application opens each year in the winter and must be completed by March 1st to be considered for the highest aid packages at MPS. The application will remain open and aid will be awarded until all funds have been distributed.

Follow these four basic steps to complete your financial aid application. Download the PDF for the complete step-by-step instructions.

1. Gather supporting documents and information needed for the application
2. Navigate to the FACTS portal and create an account
3. Under “FACTS Grant & Aid”, go to “Apply for Financial Aid with FACTS’.
4. Complete application and pay the non-refundable application fee.

Dear Parents:

As we prepare our acceptance letters for our 2026-27 Freshman class, I would like to introduce you to a new way of looking at tuition. Mercyhurst Preparatory School adopted a tuition model that may already be familiar to some of you coming from the Erie Catholic School System.

This tuition model offers a scholarship available to all who wish to receive it. The scholarship is called Laker Scholarship. It represents the difference between the true cost to educate your student and the parent contribution, formerly known as tuition.

This year the Laker Scholarship is worth $3,100.00. To receive it, all you need to do is complete one of the following options.

Option One: Complete and submit the online student aid application for financial assistance. Please know that financial assistance is only given to those families who apply and qualify according to the state guidelines. Find the link for the application on the Mercyhurst Prep website under the Admissions tab, FACTS Grant and Financial Aid. Allison Orlando and Christina Voorhis, in the Admissions office, are available to assist you if necessary. Their email addresses are aorlando@mpslakers.com and cvoorhis@mpslakers.com, respectively.

Option Two: Sign up to participate in the EITC tax credit program. This is available for any family that pays $1,000.00 or more in PA state tax. Redirect your tax dollars to Mercyhurst Prep rather than default to Harrisburg. Your redirected tax dollars are used to fund the Laker Scholarship. Contact Sue Zimmerman, in the Finance Office, with any questions regarding the EITC program. Her email address is szimmerman@mpslakers.com.

Again, you must select one of the above options to receive the Laker Scholarship. Failure to complete one of the options will result in a full cost to educate tuition statement, no Laker Scholarship and no awarded financial aid.

Two Laker Townhall meetings are scheduled for January 28, 2026 and February 12, 2026, both at 7:00 p.m., to discuss exciting things happening on the hill and to provide hands-on assistance to those who may need help with the above options. Computers and internet will be available.

Thank you,

Joe Haas
President, Mercyhurst Preparatory School

When is the application deadline?
The application deadline is March 1. Applying by these dates ensures consideration for the highest aid packages. The application remains open and aid will continue to be awarded until all funds are distributed.

Do I need to apply every year?
Yes. Families must apply for financial aid annually using the FACTS Grant & Aid Application. The application opens each year in the winter.

Can I start the application before my taxes are done?
Yes! You can begin your application before your taxes are completed, but you must upload your completed 2024 Federal Tax Returns to finalize it.

I already have a FACTS account from elementary school. Can I reuse it?
Yes. If you have an account from elementary school or an older child, you may use the same login credentials.

What if my child is not listed as a dependent on my tax return?
If the child for whom you are requesting financial aid is not listed as a dependent on your 1040, you must submit the Individual Income Tax Return of the person who claims the child.

When will I hear about my award?
Families who apply by the March 1 deadline are generally notified of their award in late April or early May. If you have questions about your award, contact the Mercyhurst Prep Business Office.

What if I need help with the application?
You can contact FACTS 24/7 Customer Service at 1-866-441-4637 for any issues with the online application or questions about document submission. You can also reach the MPS Admissions team at aorlando@mpslakers.com or cvoorhis@mpslakers.com.

Mercyhurst Preparatory School offers an array of scholarship opportunities, both merit and need based. To be considered for one of the scholarships below, you must first receive acceptance to Mercyhurst Prep and complete the required Entrance Exam for incoming ninth grade students. One of the following is also required: a FACTS application submission, participation in the EITC program, or agreement to the base contract amount equal to the cost per student.

Complete the FACTS application.

Recipients of merit scholarships will be notified in an additional message upon acceptance to Mercyhurst Prep.

Those receiving named scholarships or scholarships that require a demonstration of financial need will receive notice in late April/early May with the Tuition & Financial Aid Award Statement.

Every family can receive the Laker Scholarship — a discount that represents the difference between the true cost to educate your student and the parent contribution.

$3,100 scholarship
To receive this scholarship, you must complete one of the following options:

Option 1: FACTS Application

Complete and submit the online FACTS Grant & Aid application for financial assistance.

Option 2: EITC Program

Sign up for the EITC tax credit program (available to any family paying $1,000+ in PA state tax). Redirect your tax dollars to Mercyhurst Prep.

NOTE: You must select one of the above options. Failure to do so will result in a full cost-to-educate tuition statement with no Laker Scholarship and no awarded financial aid.

Academic Scholarship
All students are eligible, application not needed.

Mercy Merit Scholarship
Awarded to 15 incoming Freshmen who score the highest on the entrance exam. This scholarship is renewable each year contingent upon an annual QPA of 3.5, a clean disciplinary record, and involvement in school activities. Those receiving a Mercy Merit award are not eligible for an academic award since the nature of the award is academic.

Mercy Merit awards are leveled; five students receive $3,000.00, five receive $2,000.00, and five receive $1,000.00 all applied toward tuition.

Creative Arts Scholarship
Eligible students demonstrate artistic talent through a required audition and /or portfolio. Grants will be awarded in the areas of art, dance, music, and theatre.

Catherine McAuley Scholarship
Offered to incoming freshmen currently attending a Catholic feeder school. A one-page essay (typed-double spaced) written about the impact a Catholic education had on them and why they choose Catholic education for high school. The one-time $1,000 scholarship will be based on the essay with consideration given to those in financial need.

Alumni Scholarship
A child/stepchild, grandchild or great-grandchild of a Mercyhurst Seminary / Preparatory School graduate. Only students entering ninth grade may apply.

The number and amounts of each alumni scholarship vary but all are renewable each year provided the Laker maintains 2.3 QPA and a clean disciplinary record.

Parish-Based Scholarship
Many churches offer scholarships for students choosing Catholic education. Contact your parish or church community directly for available scholarship offers.

Outside-Sponsored Tuition Assistance
The Erie Community Foundation offers a variety of scholarships, some specifically for Mercyhurst Preparatory students.

FACTS Customer Service: 866.441.4637 (available 24/7)

Admissions: Contact Allison Orlando @ aorlando@mpslakers.com or Christina Voorhis @ cvoorhis@mpslakers.com

EITC Questions: Contact Sue Zimmerman @ szimmerman@mpslakers.com