Resources for Prospective Students

All full-time students at Loyola University Chicago are required to have health insurance. The cost of healthcare in the U.S. is extremely high*; therefore, it is essential to have adequate health insurance to help cover the very high charges that will result from any type of health service. 

Loyola’s student health insurance provider is United Healthcare Student Resources. Students may visit the plan website to view a full plan description, plan benefits, exclusions, limitations, and terms of coverage.

If you have your own insurance already or are covered under your parent’s/partner's plan, you may waive out of Loyola’s Student Health Insurance by providing proof of other coverage on your LOCUS Student Portal.** Follow the instructions below to complete the waiver process.

1. Log into LOCUS and select “Campus Finances”, then “Student Health Insurance”
2. Select the “Waive out” button and submit your insurance information
3. The insurance fee will be credited to your student account within 48 hours

* The cost of Loyola's United Healthcare Student Insurance is subject to change. Loyola's Office of the Bursar maintains the most up-to-date information on the cost of the plan. To learn more, please click here.

** NOTE: You must waive out of the Loyola Health Insurance plan every Fall and Spring Semester that you are enrolled as a student. If you forget to waive out of the Loyola Health Insurance plan before the deadline, you will be automatically charged for the United Healthcare Student plan, and you will not be able to get a refund.

As an ELLP student, know that there are resources for you in case you are struggling in a certain subject. The Tutoring Center can help you while you are in the ELLP and when you continue into undergraduate and graduate studies as well.

The Tutoring Center provides you with different types of tutoring that you can choose according to your needs; for example, subject-specific course support. To learn more about the Tutoring Center, please visit their website.

The Wellness Center provides high quality, confidential, and holistic medical, mental health, and health promotion services, including:

• Counseling
• Dial-A-Nurse
• Group Offerings
• Health Education
• Medical Services
• Nutrition
• Therapy Dog
• Peer Health Educators

For a full list of services and their descriptions, visit the Wellness Center website.

Required Vaccines

To enroll in classes, you will always need to keep your Immunization Records up to date. Submit your records here.

Required Vaccines for all incoming students

• Measles (2)
• Mumps (2)
• Rubella (2)
• A series of 3 diphtheria/tetanus shots are required. One must be TDAP and must be given within the last ten years prior to enrollment.
• Meningitis (required if student is under the age of 22; Must be given on or after the age of 16 years: Menomune and Meningitis B do NOT meet this requirement)

Recommended Vaccines

• Hepatitis B
• Influenza (during flu season)
• Varicella

Some recommended vaccines are available at the Wellness Center.

For more information regarding Immunizations, visit the Wellness Center website or call +1 (773) 508-8883.

When enrolled as a full-time student for the full Fall or Spring Semester (16 weeks) at Loyola, you have the option to purchase a CTA U-Pass that remains active as long as you continue full-time enrollment in your classes. During times when the CTA U-Pass is not active or you are not enrolled as a full-time student for a full-semester, you may use a Ventra Card and add money to the card to use Chicago Public Transportation. Like the U-Pass, the Ventra Card can be used with all CTA buses and trains.

• Ventra Cards can be purchased at most CTA train stations, and online.
• For more information about your CTA U-Pass, please click here.
• To learn more about public transportation in Chicago, please click here.

Loyola University Chicago students can choose from a variety of housing options. The following are the most common:

1. Living on Campus: If you are interested in Loyola Housing, please review available options on the Residence Life webpage. All questions regarding on-campus housing can be directed to res-life@luc.edu.
2. Homestay: Some students enjoy the experience of living with an American family. If you are interested in this option, please visit one of the following options:
   • Homestay.com
   • Chicago Homestay
   • American Homestay Network

3. Living Off-Campus: There are many housing options off-campus that often welcome Loyola University Chicago students. 

To view Campus Cafeteria hours and services offered, please visit Loyola Dining’s website.

Please contact us at ELLP@LUC.edu for more information and assistance.

Yes. New ELLP students are required to take our free English Language Assessment (ELA) prior to registration. Your results on this test will help us determine which level is best for you. 

Current Loyola students may register for ELLP classes without taking the placement test. If you are a current Loyola student and you have questions about registration, please contact ellp@luc.edu.

The ELA is designed to assess your current level of English language proficiency in the following areas: Listening, Reading, Vocabulary, Grammar, and Writing. There is no need to study for this test and there are no preparation materials. 

Students will be tested in the following areas: reading, writing, listening, and speaking in each of your classes as an exit exam. The results will tell ELLP and the University that you have successfully completed all of our program requirements and that you are prepared for undergraduate or graduate study.

The answer depends on your level at the time of applying as well as your effort towards your studies. Some students study in our program for one semester, and others study for a slightly longer period of time.

Yes, ELLP does have an attendance policy for its ESL classes. Students must maintain a minimum of 85% overall attendance. Students who fall below this level of attendance in any class will fail the class and could be dismissed from the program. Dismissal is particularly serious for students who hold an F-1 visa, as it will negatively impact your ability to study as an international student at Loyola and in the United States.

A Certificate of Completion will be offered to all students who successfully pass all of their courses at the end of their time with the ELLP.

While applicants applying to Loyola University Chicago for degree-program studies are required to submit a valid TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo test score, applicants interested only in taking ELLP English language courses are not.  Please feel free to contact us at ellp@luc.edu if you have any questions.

Our program offers courses for three main proficiency levels – Intermediate, High Intermediate and Advanced – for students who are interested in preparing for university or improving their English skills. 

Loyola University Chicago reviews applications in a timely manner, but we cannot guarantee a specific timeline during which your application will be reviewed. Please note that applications for the next semester or session will be prioritized over applications for later semesters of study. 

Our program is designed to provide high-quality, personalized instruction; therefore, we prefer to maintain small size classes where students may receive a great deal of individual attention as they are learning. We are highly focused on helping our students succeed and achieve their personal, academic, and professional goals as they continue to acquire and perfect their English language skills.

We offer the following classes:

• Grammar & Composition
• Reading & Vocabulary
• Listening and Speaking
• English Pronunciation (optional)
• TOEFL Exam Preparation (optional)
• Graduate Preparation (for Graduate Students ONLY)
• Business English (optional)

For course descriptions, please click here.

All ELLP courses are non-degree-credit courses that will remain on one's transcript. As a result, ELLP courses can be offered at a discounted rate.

Conditionally admitted students have formally been admitted to the University, though one must first complete all required ELLP coursework before beginning one's degree-credit courses. Please contact Undergraduate Admission or Graduate Enrollment for more information.

Students with an F-1 visa are required by the US government to study full-time. Students who are US citizens or possess US permanent residency may study full or part-time.