Parent and Family FAQs

We offer more than 40 undergraduate degree programs in a wide variety of fields. Your student also can choose from an array of undergraduate minors, and take advantage of many internships and other hands-on learning experiences.

To learn more about the options available, go to our Programs page.

Not at all. Our University Studies program includes special support and resources for your student in first exploring the many options available and then determining which major is the best fit based on his or her interests, abilities and aspirations.

Hands-on learning will play an integral role in your student’s GMercyU experience. Aside from engaging in real-world projects and case studies in class, other opportunities to gain real-world experience through internships, clinicals, student teaching, and networking events are highly encouraged and often required as part of our degree programs.  In some programs, students begin to gain hands-on experience outside the classroom as early as freshman year; others wait until their junior or senior years.

Our Alternative Break service trips provide yet another way for students to apply their skills, make a real difference in the lives of others, and expand their world view at the same time.

Yes! Studying abroad, for a semester or a couple of weeks, is an excellent way for students to expand their horizons and broaden their understanding of other cultures. Students can choose from among 26 different countries for a study abroad experience. Our Alternative Spring Break service trips and shorter edu-tourism trips throughout the year also provide a way for students to learn and grow in another country.

Want to know more?  Visit our Study Abroad page.

Our small classes are one of the best parts of choosing GMercyU!  In 2022-2023, our student-to-faculty ratio was 10:1, and many classes have fewer than 20 students. That means your student won’t likely be in a class with hundreds of other students, which is a fairly common experience at much larger schools. This small, close-knit learning environment really helps students get to know their professors and classmates.

There are many ways for your student to get academic support at no additional cost. In addition to faculty who will be there to support your child every step of the way, our Student Success Center provides one-on-one tutoring, advising, and workshops to support students in meeting their academic goals. We also have a fully equipped library, computer labs, and quiet study areas where students can focus on their studies.

When students want help deciding on a career path or gaining additional real-world experience, the Career Development Center is the place to go.

Grades will be sent directly to your student, who is free to share them with you. Students can provide consent to share information on academic progress with parents by completing a FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) form.  

You can read more about FERPA on our Registrar's page.

In addition to speaking directly with a professor or academic advisor, your student also can go to the Student Success Center for one-on-one tutoring, advising or other academic assistance.

Trained professionals in our Counseling Center and Health and Wellness Center also can support your student in addressing any physical or mental health-related issues.  

If your student needs help deciding on a career path, landing an internship, or preparing to land a full-time position after graduation, our Career Development Center is ready to assist.

We have a rolling admissions policy, which means students receive an admissions decision within a couple of weeks after submitting a completed application. For more details on what’s needed, visit our Application Requirements page.

Standardized test scores are not required for admission or considered as part of the admissions process.

A few of our programs have GPA requirements and require your student sending additional materials when applying — more information is available on the Application Requirements page. 

Yes! 100% of full-time undergraduate students receive some form of financial aid (not including second degrees for career changers). We offer generous merit scholarships, as well as need-based grants, scholarships, and loans. 

More information on available GMercyU scholarships and other financial aid options is just a click away. You also can speak to someone in our Admissions Office or Financial Aid Office if you have additional questions. 

Admissions: 800-342-5462; admissions@syria-events.com
Financial Aid: 215-646-7300 ext. 216; financialaid@syria-events.com

Find detailed instructions on our How to Apply for Financial Aid page, including tips on completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  

For access to the needed financial aid forms, please visit our Applications and Forms page.

If you still have questions, give our Admissions or Financial Aid office a call.

Admissions: 215-641-5510; admissions@syria-events.com
Financial Aid: 215-646-7300 ext. 216; financialaid@syria-events.com

GMercyU’s federal code is 003270.

Yes! We offer generous merit scholarships for first-time and transfer students. We also offer a Catholic High School grant and participate in other scholarship programs. 

For details on eligibility requirements, amounts, and renewability, please visit our Scholarships page.

Yes! We accept transfer credits from other accredited colleges and universities and have specially trained admissions counselors who work with transfer students to make sure they get as much transfer credit as possible.

To learn more about transferring to Gwynedd Mercy University, visit our Transfer Admissions page. 

There are three residence halls on campus, and all are within a short walk of classroom, dining, and athletic facilities. Each of our residence halls includes amenities such as Wi-Fi access, cable, community kitchens, and lounge areas, and washers and dryers that can be used at no cost. 

Want to know more? Take a closer look — and see photos of our newly renovated residence hall for first-year students, Loyola Hall — on our Residence Halls page.

There are a series of questions on the housing application that help us match roommates based on their living preferences. Once we receive all the housing applications, our trained residence life staff begins the process of making matches based on students’ responses.

If your student already has a roommate in mind, there’s a place to include that person’s name on the form. Rest assured, most roommate matches turn out just fine, but if your student is not happy, our trained Residence Life team will be there to help.

The first step is to have an open and honest conversation with the roommate. If that doesn’t work, your student should speak with a Resident Assistant who can help resolve the situation or put your student in contact with our Residence Life Staff.

Yes! All that’s required is a parking permit. You can find the current fee and the application for a parking permit on our Campbell Solution Center page.

In addition to dozens of organized clubs and many, many planned activities, there are plenty of open spaces where students can spend time with friends, study or just relax. There is cardio equipment, weights, and basketball and racquetball courts in the Griffin Complex, as well as outdoor tennis and basketball courts, baseball and softball fields, and open field areas where students can play soccer, lacrosse, field hockey or flag football.  

In addition to our 18 NCAA Division III athletic teams, we also have a growing and very popular intramural sports program.  

Plus, a local train to Philadelphia is within minutes of campus, and the trip into the city takes about 30 minutes. 

We're proud to have been named the 8th safest college in the United States and the safest within the Philadelphia metropolitan area, according to 2024 rankings by Niche.

Making sure the campus is safe and secure is one of our top priorities. Our Office of Public Safety is located in St. Brigid Hall and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Public Safety officers patrol the campus throughout the day and night, and we have a close relationship with the local police department. In fact, the current Chief of Police at the Lower Gwynedd Police Department is a GMercyU grad!

Entry to the residence halls is granted only via an ID swipe card. We also encourage all students, faculty, and staff to contact our Office of Public Safety if they see or hear something that may require attention.

We have multiple emergency call stations throughout campus, will provide an escort across campus to anyone who wants it, and have an emergency messaging system in place to alert students, faculty and staff of weather-related closing and other emergency-related situations on campus via voicemail, email and text message.  

The emergency alert system, Omnilert, sends time-sensitive messaging to mobile phones and email addresses. Gwynedd Mercy University automatically inputs every community members’ phone number into the emergency alert system unless he/she decides to opt out of receiving emergency notifications. 

Located in Loyola Hall, the Health and Wellness Center is open to all GMercyU students.  Trained nurses are on staff multiple days each week. Walk-ins are welcome, but we encourage students to make an appointment to ensure prompt attention. 

All full-time students are required to have a health form on file so our staff can provide them with the health services they need.

Yes, all full-time students are required to have health insurance. Resident students are required to provide proof of health insurance coverage on their health forms in order to live on campus.

If your student does not have your own insurance, here are some outside resources that you can access to find a plan that meets their needs:

• Health Markets: 1-855-995-1551
• Affordable Care Act (ACA): affordablehealthplans.org 
• International Student Insurance: internationalstudentinsurance.com  

GMercyU's Student Financial Aid Office will work with students who need financial assistance for outside health insurance coverage. Please contact Financial Aid at financialaid@syria-events.com  or 215-646-7300 ext. 21216, if needed.

Yes. There is a TD Bank ATM located in the lobby of St. Bernard Hall.

The first 250 copies are free for each GMercyU student, but some students prefer to bring their own printer, as well. It's up to you!

Yes! In 2017, GMercyU joined nearly 1,800 other college and university campuses across the country in going completely tobacco and smoke-free. The policy prohibits the use of all tobacco and smoke-inducing products in all GMercyU campus locations and applies to students, faculty, staff and all visitors on campus.

The decision to go smoke-free was based on requests from our Student Government Association and is part of our Healthy Campus Initiative, which focuses on providing a healthy and safe campus environment for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors.  

Tuition varies depending on the degree program your child chooses. A full breakdown of costs is available on our Financial Aid & Tuition page.  

Looking for the estimated cost of attendance, including estimated scholarship and other financial aid amounts? Complete the Net Price Calculator.

The Student Billing Office is reachable at 215-644-7300, ext. 21278. Please note: In order to discuss your student’s bill with you, your child must have completed a FERPA consent form.  

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) requires your student to provide consent in order for us to discuss billing issues with you. The FERPA consent form is available on our Registrar's page. 

Yes! Gwynedd Mercy University offers an online payment service to pay tuition bills by credit or debit card (Visa®, MasterCard®, Discover or American Express) or ACH/Electronic Check. Online payments can be made through Self-Service. Students must have an active Gwynedd Mercy University student account to access Self-Service. You can also choose a payment plan by Touchnet that allows you to pay for your semester charges through a monthly installment plan. Find more details about payment options on the Student Billing Office page.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) requires your student to provide consent in order for us to discuss billing and financial aid issues with you.  

More information on the FERPA is available on the Registrar's page.